We believe everyone deserves the chance to work with dignity and pride. For decades, we have supported some of the world’s most marginalised communities to build sustainable livelihoods—working closely with local organisations and private sector partners to create ethical, resilient supply chains that benefit people and the planet.
Our work in Sierra Leone shows what’s possible when partnerships unite behind a shared vision. Through the Building Resilient Communities in the Fight Against Child Labour project in Kailahun—funded by the Fund against Child Labour (FBK) programme of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency—we supported 40 farming communities, reaching 1,331 farming families. We’re proud to share that the project led to a remarkable reduction in child labour, dropping from 98.9% to just 5%. Beyond this, it empowered women, increased household incomes, improved food security, and strengthened community leadership.
In addition to reducing child labour from 98.9% to just 5%, the project has empowered women, raised household incomes, improved food security, and strengthened community leadership.
This initiative, delivered in close collaboration with MAPCO, combines local knowledge, technical expertise, and trusted community relationships to create a locally led, sustainable response to child labour. By tackling poverty, food insecurity, and harmful work practices at their roots, we’ve helped communities drive positive change from within—using inclusive financial systems, vocational training, child rights awareness, and livelihood support.
A key part of our success has been working hand in hand with the private sector. Partnerships with companies like Goldtree Ltd. and Planting Naturals have allowed us to address child labour from multiple angles. By involving businesses directly, we’ve brought new voices into the conversation, embedded child protection standards into supply chains, and strengthened accountability. This collaboration is improving labour practices and creating lasting impact.
A vital step in this process was rebuilding farmers’ trust, which had been eroded by previous top-down projects. Through transparent pricing, practical training on weighing and literacy, and MAPCO’s strong local reputation, Planting Naturals has fostered clear and fair relationships with smallholder farmers.
This has helped farmers avoid debt traps linked to unpredictable harvests and sell their produce directly to the company, boosting incomes and reducing child labour. As a result, Planting Naturals is on track to certify thousands more farmers under Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standards by 2025.
Our Sierra Leone Project Manager, Luc-Antoine Bonte, reflects on the progress and its wider implications for ethical sourcing, resilient communities, and business-led development.
Read Luc-Antoine’s full article A Partnership in Action: Addressing Child Labour with a Private Company — published on Bond https://www.bond.org.uk/news/2025/04/a-partnership-in-action-addressing-child-labour-with-a-private-company/
To learn more about the project’s impact and detailed results, read the full report here: https://aptuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/07/Orange-and-Cream-Clean-UN-Style-Business-SDG-Progress-Report-2.pdf