ICI is a unique partnership between NGOs, labour unions, cocoa processors and the major chocolate brands.  We are dedicated to ending child and forced labour in cocoa growing and processing.  ICI’s mandate is guided by the International Labour Organisation conventions 182 on “The Worst Forms of Child Labour” and 29 on “Forced labour”.

Our Focus

ICI is dedicated to ending child and forced labour in the cocoa sector.  Unfortunately, abusive labour practices cannot be tackled by external action alone or in isolation from local concerns; communities must be engaged from the start and lead the change.  By developing initiatives guided by local cocoa-growing communities and providing practical tools, ICI is changing the way cocoa is grown and helping create a vision of a different way of life for cocoa-growers and their children.

Based on extensive research our programmes include specific actions to:

•    build awareness of the need to eliminate abusive labour practices
•    actively support community based initiatives to change long-standing practices
•    build local capacity to support change
•    work with organisations that provide services to, or have commercial relationships with, cocoa-growing    communities to foster positive change
•    ensure social protection services for cases of abuse and forced labour
•    channel information, report on progress and provide a new model for development
•    encourage partnerships between industry, activists and governments

Reflecting international concerns and the fact that 75% of the world’s cocoa is grown on small-holding farms in West Africa, ICI made the decision to initially focus on this region.  Our pilot projects currently operate in Ghana and Ivory Coast.