Commitment 1.1 - Partnerships

Some examples of good practice are listed below. You can contribute specific examples by clicking the ‘Share my case study’ button.

> Increasing economic productivity by developing technology in collaboration with farmers and communities and investing in innovation and technology that respond to local needs

> Fostering full and productive local employment and developing skills through vocational education, job-oriented training programs, and alliances with local communities 

> Identifying all existing owners and users of the land or property, including information land users or customary owners, before buying, renting, acquiring or otherwise accessing land or property

> Consulting with the affected users and owners of the land and property, including indigenous communities and other vulnerable groups, and helping them to restore their standard of living by ensuring adequate compensation measures that are applied transparently and consistently to all affected communities

> Recognizing the unique and important role of indigenous communities and committing to obtaining (and maintaining) their free, prior and informed consent throughout the life cycle of projects affecting them by holding effective and meaningful consultations

> Using business’ influence to ensure the above aspects are applied throughout the supply chain, by implementing traceability measures, reviewing the demographics of existing or new supply chains, and investing in supporting the livelihoods and sustainability of suppliers from under-represented groups 

> Reviewing procurement policies to remove barriers to entry for small scale producers where involved in the supply chain

> Applying the principles of consultation, engagement and participation for investments that use the resources of other communities

> Encouraging economic inclusion through fair procurement policies and practices and transparent criteria for the selection of suppliers, as well as contributing to greater economic engagement of underrepresented groups by working respectfully with suppliers owned by under-represented or vulnerable groups, and micro-businesses

> Undertaking initiatives to empower under-represented or vulnerable social groups, including women, to become business owners and to equip them with skills and capacity for entrepreneurship

> Fostering awareness and leadership on human rights within the organization and translating this into positive actions throughout the supply chain

> Supporting entrepreneurship and access to technology through business activities and operations throughout the supply chain

> Ensuring access to financial services by offering microfinance facilities or by strengthening the ability of microfinance institutions to deliver to poorer communities

A non-exhaustive list of initiatives is set out below, aiming to provide a direction for companies eager to go further on this topic:

National implementing regulations arising from the eight Fundamental Conventions of International Labour Organisation (ILO):

1. Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87),

2. Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98),

3. Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) (and its 2014 Protocol),

4. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105),

5. Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138),

6. Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182),

7. Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100),

8. Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111);

National implementing regulations arising from the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) 

SAFA(Sustainability Assessment of food and agriculture systems) guidelines or the OECD-FOA Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains

Guidance provided by ISO 20400 (Sustainable Procurement) or ISO 26000 (Social Responsibility)

Internationally recognized multi-stakeholder initiatives such as: 

> AIM-PROGRESS – [Exchange platform of responsible sourcing practices]

> EcoVadis – [CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) rating agency],

> ETI (Ethical Trade Initiative) – [Multi-stakeholder initiative promoting ethical trade],

> FLA (Fair Labor Association) – [Multi-stakeholder initiative protecting workers’ rights],

> IDH (the Sustainable Trade Initiative) – [Multi-stakeholder initiatives driving new economically viable approaches in commodity sectors and sourcing areas – Example: SVI – Sustainable Vanilla Initiative – EU focus],

> Rainforest Alliance – [Multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to ensuring sustainable livelihoods and conserving biodiversity], 

> SAI (Social Accountability International) SA8000 Standard – [Social certification standard],

> SMETA (SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit) – [Ethical trade audit],

> UEBT (Union for Ethical Bio Trade),

> Others.