4. Lessons learned The study identified several recommendations from the researchers and the farmers interviewed that Tony’s Open Chain and its partner cooperatives could implement to further build on and improve the remediation support provided to children and families. These were incorporated in Tony’s Open Chain’s updated Child Labour Remediation Policy and the remediation protocols developed together with partner cooperatives, towards reflecting a multi-layered approach that includes:
• Stronger community engagement and awareness-raising systems • Prioritisation of cost-effective educational support • Standardisation and scaling of labour substitution services • Holistic design for vocational training and IGAs • Embedded monitoring and feedback loops for adaptive learning
More specifically, the following improvements were made based on the findings of this study.
1. Awareness raising is foundational but needs continuous reinforcement Awareness campaigns significantly influence attitudes and behaviours, creating an enabling environment for other interventions. However, recall bias and inconsistent delivery reduce perceived impact. Tony’s Open Chain’s revised remediation protocols now require awareness raising as a standard remediation intervention. In addition, community level awareness raising sessions and integration with sensitisation at schools and vocational training schools ensure repeated messaging and broader reach. 2. Material support to facilitate a return to primary education is cost-effective School kits and birth certificate assistance consistently deliver strong outcomes in reducing child labour and improving school attendance, at relatively low cost. Revised protocols prioritise school kit distribution as a core intervention and include a systematic process for birth certificate issuance, with partner cooperatives tracking and reporting completion rates. 3. Labour brigades reduce on-farm child labour but require standardisation Labour brigades are effective in reducing children’s exposure to hazardous tasks but lack uniform pricing and targeting, leading to inequitable access and sustainability concerns. To expand the reach and capacity of labour brigade support, new guidelines specify targeting criteria to prioritise vulnerable households for assistance. To improve the procedures and functioning of labour brigades, partner cooperatives are working with Tony’s Open Chain to introduce rate cards for services that clearly present all necessary information regarding costs, subventions and deadlines, and to further expand coverage of paid adult labour to their members. 4. Vocational training has high transformative potential but needs holistic support Older children benefit from vocational training, but success depends on post-training support, tools, and market linkages. Vocational training requires a comprehensive package (training + tools + placement support). Mentorship and partnerships with local businesses and government agencies (facilitating employment or entrepreneurship after training) are essential to ensure sustainability. 5. Income generating activities show moderate impact without market integration IGAs help diversify income but often remain small-scale and unsustainable without credit access and technical support. Tony’s Open Chain’s remediation protocols specify group-based ventures and capacity-building, which allow for shared costs and collective income. The remediation protocols also include the need for market assessments and linkages, focusing on sustainability and scalability to ensure long-term success. Partner cooperatives are tasked to provide ongoing technical assistance and link farmers to credit schemes.
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