Malawi
Read about how we support quality education in Malawi.
About ECLT Foundation
Founded as an independent Swiss foundation in 2000 to bring together key stakeholders against child labour in the tobacco-growing supply chain, the ECLT Foundation is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Foundation is a member of the UN Global Compact and holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.
We advocate for strong policies, research best practices, and engage rural families so they can benefit from farming while ensuring that their children are safe, healthy, educated, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Our work
Since 2000, the ECLT Foundation has worked with and for children, farmers, and families in areas where tobacco is grown.
We take a multi-stakeholder approach, focusing on area-based projects and strengthening of local and national systems to fight child labour.
Engaging stakeholders for sustainable change
Fostering collaboration with government, farmers, workers, private sector, and civil society is necessary to make progress, which is systemic and sustainable. By engaging policy makers, other agricultural sectors and organisations working on the ground, ECLT supports the development and implementation of strong policies and practices that go beyond our project areas and benefit all children and families in the countries where we work.
Our projects
Since 2011, ECLT has reached over 1,035,000 children and their families in tobacco-growing communities.
Our inclusive, area-based projects tackle the root causes of child labour:
- Raising awareness on child labour and the dangers it poses to children.
- Engaging parents and communities to identify children in child labour, withdraw and support them.
- Building capacities in communities to improve family livelihoods.
- Increasing access to quality education and skills training to prepare children and youth for decent work.
ECLT's work to advance progress towards the SDGs
in particular SDG 8.7 for the elimination of child labour by 2025.
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No Poverty
ECLT works with farmers and families to improve savings, livelihoods and financial stability.
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Zero hunger
ECLT supports school gardens & meals to keep kids in school and out of the fields.
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Quality education
ECLT supports quality education. Making school welcoming keeps children in school and away from child labour.
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Gender equality
ECLT supports financial literacy and business skills training for women. Empowering women benefits children, communities and the economy.
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Decent work and Economic growth
ECLT supports job skills training to help young people access more decent work opportunities.
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Clean water and sanitation
ECLT strengthens access to clean water and sanitation by installing solar water pumps and toilet facilities in schools.
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Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
ECLT works closely with national and local institutions to support existing child labour efforts, and design sustainable interventions.
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Partnerships for the goals
Collaboration is at the heart of ECLT's work. Engagement at local, national and international levels brings long-lasting solutions in the fight against child labour.
Aligning with International Standards
Key Frameworks on child labour rights and sustainable development
- UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- ILO Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No.138)
- ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No.182)
- ILO Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184)
- ILO Declaration on the Fundamental Rights and Principles at Work.
- UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
- UN Global Compact 10 Principles.
The ECLT Foundation is a member of the UN Global Compact, ILO Child Labour Platform 8.7 and a holder of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) special consultative status. ECLT is committed to supporting and promoting international legal frameworks on child labour and sustainable development.
Our people
Our Board Members and Partners:
The ECLT Foundation works with organisations, business leaders and technical experts from around the world. Find out more about our people
Our staff:
Click on the photos below to meet our team of experts committed to eliminating child labour.
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Dr. Innocent Mugwagwa
Executive DirectorInnocent earned his PhD from Wageningen University in the Netherlands focusing on the drivers and effects of smallholder participation in modern agrifood chains. Innocent has over 15 years' development experience, the last 10 years of which were dedicated to working as the Finance Director for Save the Children Norway and Zimbabwe. Innocent joined the ECLT Foundation in September 2010 as Senior Programme Manager and, since October 2022, he holds the position of Executive Director.
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Irena Manola
Operations ManagerIrena holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and Diploma in French Studies from the Geneva University, as well as a graduate diploma from the Management Institute in Brussels. Irena has a diverse background, working in both private and public sectors. She has over 15 years of experience in complex environments, in marketing and sales positions in multinational companies, as well as in management of finance and office administration. She joined the ECLT Foundation in September 2013.
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Roi Fernández Agudo
Programme ManagerRoi is a Programme Manager with more than four years of experience in the United Nations development system. He has a multidisciplinary background, holding Masters’ degrees in Business Administration, Law and Journalism. Before joining the ECLT Foundation in June 2019, Roi gained academic and professional experience in Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom and Italy, which allowed him to deepen his knowledge of international development and understanding of interacting stakeholders.
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Víctor Díaz
Communications & Capacity Building ManagerVíctor joined the ECLT Foundation in March 2022 as a Communications Manager. Over the past 16 years, he has collaborated with governments, NGOs, multinational companies, and within the UN system in Switzerland and Latin America. Víctor holds several diplomas in strategic, operational and digital marketing, as well as a Master’s degree in Legal and Economic translation from the University of Geneva.
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Ludivine Richner
Advocacy and Programme OfficerLudivine is a dedicated human rights advocate with more than 6 years of experience working in the non-profit and academic sectors, with a focus on advocacy, project management and research. She holds a Master’s degree in Child Rights from the University of Geneva and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Action from the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies. Ludivine joined ECLT on March 2023 as an Advocacy and Programme Officer.
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Franck Archinard
Finance ManagerFranck is a Finance & Administration specialist in the non-for-profit sector. Franck holds a Master's degree in Finance & Accounting from the University of Aix-en-Provence. Franck now has over 15 years of experience working in Swiss Non-Governmental-Organisation secretariats. On top of his financial expertise, he has developed global NFP organisational management skills.