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IPIS receives ICoCA Responsible Security Award for its Kuf(u)atilia incident monitoring systems

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In December 2025, IPIS was awarded the inaugural ICoCA Responsible Security Award for its work on the Kuf(u)atilia networks. IPIS was recognized for developing two community-based incident-monitoring systems: Kufatilia in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kufuatilia in Tanzania.

Chris Galvin from the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) and Hans Merket (IPIS).

Kufatilia and Kufuatilia, reflecting slight variations between Congolese and Tanzanian Swahili, both derive from the verb meaning “to track” or “to follow up.” Kuf(u)atilia is a digital monitoring tool and network that facilitates the reporting of mining-related incidents and their follow-up by local civil society organisations in the DRC and Tanzania. Incidents can be reported across both artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and large-scale mining (LSM). They can include mining accidents, environmental issues, violence (e.g., between artisanal miners and public or private security forces securing industrial mines), etc. With enhanced visibility on incidents, civil society organizations can identify trends and engage in evidence-based dialogue with governments and industries to address structural governance challenges.

The award was presented to IPIS during the 2026 Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa. The selection committee lauded the Kuf(u)atilia networks for demonstrating “how digital reporting tools, combined with strong civil society partnerships, can strengthen responsible mineral supply chains” and enhance “transparency, accountability, and safety in complex and conflict-affected countries.”

Accompanying the award, ICoCA released a case study, as well as a podcast interview with Jan Leysen and Hans Merket from IPIS, to explore how the Kuf(u)atilia systems enable community-based monitoring in cooperation with local civil society partners.

“If a mining company doesn’t hear communities’ concerns, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist. It can also mean they’re not listening well, or their systems and processes aren’t set to capture them,” Hans Merket noted. “When civil society organisations are equipped to act on this information, it can play an important intermediary role, helping to build mutual understanding, trust, and accountability from the ground up.”

Dive into the ICoCA case study and podcast:

Community-led accountability in the mining sector – ICoCA – International Code of Conduct Association
Across Africa’s Great Lakes region, mineral extraction is closely tied to governance challenges, insecurity and human rights concerns. International frameworks such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas emphasise that companies have an ongoing responsibility to identify and address risks of harm within their supply chains.

More information on Kufatilia DRC and Kufuatilia TZ:

Kufatilia – Reporting and monitoring of mining-related incidents in eastern and southern DRC
In operation since 2018, Kufatilia (“to follow-up” in Swahili) is an incident reporting and monitoring system launched by IPIS and Congolese civil society partners. Active across four provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it aims to give mining-affected communities the tools to report critical issues such as mine accidents, interference of armed groups, forced or child labour, roadblocks, violence, illegal taxation, theft, or fraud.
KUFUATILIA expands to Tanzania: Strengthening civil society monitoring and community support in the mining sector
In March 2025, IPIS successfully launched KUFUATILIA, its civil society organization (CSO) incident monitoring scheme for the mining sector, in Tanzania’s Mara region. KUFUATILIA is a community-based incident reporting system designed to facilitate real-time, structured reporting by community members through mobile phones.

Data on incidents reported in the the DRC can be consulted via a public dashboard of incidents.

Kuf(u)atilia has been supported by multiple donors over the years, including the Belgian development cooperation, the European Union, de Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM), and USAID.