Why Kumacaya?

When auditors are paid by the companies that they are auditing, they are not independent. We created Kumacaya in 2017 to be a truly independent verification process. We support a network of local civil society actors to report what's happening on the ground - from the bottom up.

By supporting local civil society, “eyes on the ground”, we enable constructive dialogue between the private sector and civil society organisations. We aim to increase civil society's potential to positively impact supply chains, while helping businesses proactively meet their commitments.

We create a win-win situation that is beneficial not only for companies, investors, and civil society organisations, but also for the local people whose homes are at the very source of natural resources.

Kumacaya is the most progressive, independent, solutions-oriented, and cost-effective verification system that exists today. It helps companies verify their supply chain. It helps local civil society organisations report findings from their work to bring positive change. It amplify communities' voice.

What is Kumacaya & how does it work?

Kumacaya facilitates constructive, meaningful conversations that lead to concrete solutions for environmental and social problems on the ground - even in the most remote places. Covering a broad scope of social and environmental problems. Kumacaya helps highlight good practice as well as things that need to change. We use technology to provide live monitoring conducted by people at the far end of global supply chains.

Kumacaya functions in two innovative ways: First, we want to hear directly from the local people affected by a company's operations, as the voice of local civil society organisations, community groups, consultants, experts or students, civil society is ideally placed to assess the situation and priorities on the ground. We thus democratise the verification process by asking local people to send us environmental and social signals on both positive and negative issues on the ground. Through these signals, we are able to receive feedback from diverse voices over a sizeable geographic range and over time.

Then, after signals have been gathered in a given area, Kumacaya identifies the priorities of local people and runs deep monitoring projects. These projects are undertaken in partnership with civil society organisations and local experts, who are well placed to understand the day-to-day dynamics that can lead to positive change. We give time and respect to the consultation process and cross-check our findings via deep monitoring carried out by local civil society organisations. Reports coming out of deep monitoring projects are used to inform us, the company, civil society organisations and the communities of the realities their upstream suppliers (and those who live and work with or near them) face. They can then form the basis of collaborative work to address issues and identify opportunities for improving practices.

Looking ahead, we envision supply chains where companies and civil society organisations work and take action together. We know that improving this relationship can help unlock immense – and currently untapped – potential to protect and enhance people's lives and the surrounding environment.

If you have any questions please refer to our FAQ page