Harnessing Human Intelligence for Impact

We empower field-based civil society organisations to investigate, remediate, and monitor unethical labour practices through funded collaboration, technology access and data partnerships.

Civil Society Engagement & Collaboration Program

A new paradigm in sustainably harnessing the human intelligence and geographical spread of civil society

The ‘human intelligence’ side of the Ethical Labour Foundation's solution relies upon civil society organisations — faith-based groups; industry bodies; umbrella and in-field NGOs; trade unions; research institutions - for their proven expertise in advocacy, investigation, remediation and monitoring of forced labour, whether directly through human services and/or via their technologies and data that support – or have the potential to support – ELP's common global mission, to systematically eliminate forced labour.

Forms of civil society engagement may include:

Paid in-field assignments or projects
Retainers for ongoing services which are part of forced labour elimination and prevention programs
Technology partnerships including free technical support for your technologies – strategy, design, build, integration, deployment, continuous improvement – if they can support our Mission
A paid subscription for your data if it can add value to the ELP data model
Support for your projects and programs - technology, advisory, collaboration management, project management
Financial support for your projects and programs

PHASE 1: RESIN IN EAST AFRICA

OVERVIEW

Tanzania is rich in pine forests which have the potential to produce resin, which is a valuable commodity in high demand for a vast range of consumer and industrial products. In recent years, resin tapping in Tanzania has grown into a substantial commercial enterprise.

Workplace situations which involve human trafficking and/or forced labour have been discovered in Tanzania, which has fuelled concerns about fair wages, worker protections and potential risks throughout the resin value chain.

This project ensures transparency, decent working conditions, and equitable economic growth in resin value chain development. The methodology and outcomes of this initiative have significant applicability to other regions in Africa and globally, providing a scalable model for ethical supply-chain practices.

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to begin building transparency in global resin value chains by creating business, product and labour traceability, commencing within Tanzania. This will be achieved by:

Constructing a verifiable map of the Tanzanian resin value chain - from source to export-for businesses, resin products and the labour supply chain.
Identifying actual and potential labour-rights violations, emphasizing forced labour indicators, wage structures, occupational safety, and the right to organise.
Developing actionable recommendations for regulators, resin buyers and social partners that embed transparency and worker voice in future growth.

APPROACH

Participatory Research: Worker surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus groups.
Risk Assessment: Utilizing the ILO's forced labour indicators and OSH standards.
Stakeholder Workshops: Multi-stakeholder engagements to validate findings and foster collaborative solutions.

IMPACT

The project will culminate in a high-profile launch event in Tanzania, providing recognition opportunities for corporate supporters and engaging key stakeholders, including government ministries, international agencies, and media outlets. Project findings will gain visibility through publication in peer-reviewed journals and dissemination via regional and international union networks.

Additionally, actionable policy recommendations and practical guidance materials developed through the project will directly benefit corporate sustainability reporting.