The Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI) is pleased to announce that it has secured €890,000 in co-funding from the European Union, covering 50% of the total €1.7 million 3-year project for India. This funding will support the implementation of the “Comprehensive Supply Chain Engagement and Multi-Stakeholder Initiative for Eradicating Child Labor in the Indian Mica Mining and Processing Sector.”

This grant represents a strong recognition of RMI’s efforts to eradicate child labor, improve working conditions, and enhance corporate due diligence in the mica sector in India.

Objectives and Implementation

The project will be implemented over a three-year period, beginning January 2025, and the implementation of this initiative is structured around four key pillars, altogether contributing to a comprehensive strategy to eliminate child labor, improve working conditions, and strengthen due diligence in the mica supply chain in India. 

Community Empowerment

This initiative will expand the reach of RMI’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP) to 50 new mica-dependent villages in Jharkhand and Bihar states, adding to the 180 villages previously supported. The program will directly benefit over 25,000 individuals, particularly children, women, and vulnerable workers. Key actions include:

• Strengthening access to quality education by supporting schools, training teachers, and increasing enrollment rates.
• Facilitating livelihood diversification through vocational training and small business development, increasing households’ overall revenues.
• Improving access to social protection schemes such as health care, financial services, and legal aid, reducing de facto families’ expenses, therefore improving livelihood.
• Conducting community awareness campaigns on child labor, labor rights, and environmental sustainability.

Workplace Standards and Responsible Business Practices

The project will enhance labor conditions in mica mining and processing by implementing Responsible Workplace Standards at three mines and ten processing units. This includes:

• Developing and deploying occupational health and safety protocols for workers in mica supply chains.
• Working towards ensuring at least living wages or incomes and improved remuneration practices to support worker livelihoods.
• Conducting third-party audits and training programs for mine and factory operators.
• Establishing grievance mechanisms to protect workers’ rights and prevent exploitation.

Policy Advocacy and Government Engagement

A crucial component of this initiative is the engagement of state and local authorities in Jharkhand and Bihar to promote regulatory reforms and strengthen enforcement mechanisms. Actions will include:

• Supporting the development of a sustainable legal framework for mica extraction and collection, including formal recognition of mica workers.
• Advocating for models that encourage responsible trade and responsible mining practices.
• Facilitating dialogue between government entities, industry stakeholders, and civil society to ensure the adoption of best practices in the sector.

Corporate Due Diligence and Industry Engagement

To ensure alignment with EU due diligence regulations and international labor standards, the initiative will work closely with global mica-using industries and supply chain actors to:

• Provide training and resources to brands and suppliers on responsible mica sourcing.
• Strengthen traceability tools and monitoring systems to enhance supply chain transparency.
• Expand the implementation of responsible sourcing policies across the global mica industry.
• Promote collaboration between companies, NGOs, and regulatory bodies to drive ethical business practices.

Through these combined efforts, the initiative aims to establish a more transparent, responsible, and sustainable mica supply chain, eliminating child labor and ensuring better conditions for all workers involved.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

This initiative is being implemented in partnership with six India-based grassroots NGO partners. These organizations have played a crucial role in piloting previous RMI interventions through communities and ensuring that program outcomes are locally relevant and sustainable. This joint application to this European Union call for proposals will enable us to strengthen our joint work over the next 3 years.

RMI’s Additional Commitment

In addition to EU funding, RMI will invest an additional €270,000 over three years on the Community Empowerment vertical to cover essential project costs not eligible under the EU grant. This demonstrates our long-term commitment to building a transparent, responsible, and sustainable mica supply chain.

A Shared Responsibility

The award of this EU grant underscores the urgency of multi-stakeholder action to address human rights challenges in supply chains. The collective involvement of brands, manufacturers, policymakers, and civil society organizations is essential to foster a more ethical and sustainable mica industry.

Stay connected for updates on this initiative and its impact!