Democratic Republic of Congo | Home

Since 2003, Pact has worked on a wide range of development issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo, mostly focused on artisanal and small-scale mining communties. Our work in DRC is helping to make this critical livelihood safer, more formalized and productive, and free of human rights abuses. 

Pact leads field implementation for ITSCI, the International Tin Association’s tin supply chain initiative. ITSCI is the region’s only internationally accepted, operational due diligence mechanism and mineral traceability system for the 3T minerals: tungsten, tin and tantalum. In several DRC provinces as well as in Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, the system monitors minerals from the point of extraction at mines sites to smelters, where minerals are processed for use in electronics and other everyday devices. This allows tens of thousands of miners to earn a dignified living and build a better future for themselves and their families. 

Pact is also helping communities in DRC to markedly reduce child mining. Launched in 2015, our Children Out of Mining project has worked with local and international partners as well as private-sector companies to address this critical issue. With positive, collective action and an integrated package of interventions designed to address root causes, Pact and its partners have changed attitudes and norms regarding child labor, increased community awareness of children’s rights and helped families find alternative ways to earn income.

In partnership with USAID, Pact is also working to reduce conflict between DRC's Batwa and Baluba people by strengthening conflict mitigation mechanisms and resolution processes for peace-building, and improving livelihoods through social cohesion and collaboration.

Pact’s diverse funding streams in DRC include both public and private sector funding, allowing for a dynamic and holistic portfolio. We work with a wide range of stakeholders including communities, local civil society organizations, industry and national, provincial and local government institutions.