Fostering Social Auditing: Enhancing Issue Detection and Risk Identification through Responsive and Context-Specific Approaches – ISEAL innovations Fund 

This project aims to enhance the detection and monitoring of human rights issues and violation risks in third-party and internal audits by introducing responsive, participatory and context-specific approaches to social auditing. Auditors will be equipped with a holistic but socially sensitive audit method, including practical tools and supporting material altogether with enhanced skills to improve the detection of human rights abuses during the on-site audits.  

The 4C units that are audited will increase the ability to identify and report about human rights violations. This will ease the follow-up actions based on findings of the independent third-party auditors. On the other hand, internal audits and monitoring carried out by the Managing Entity as part of the Internal Management System (IMS) will benefit from well-informed improvement plans developed to detect and address human rights infringements, mitigate risks, improve data collection mechanisms and stronger grievance mechanisms. 

The results of the project will not only lead to more efficient audits, but also to an improved social verification process that contributes to fulfil and protect human rights in supply chains. In addition, the results will lead to the continuous improvement of the 4C system as well as of other sustainability schemes on human rights due diligence. 

By conducting a thorough baseline assessment of current practices, engaging with stakeholders, and providing specialized training, the project seeks to equip auditors, coffee producers, and managing entities with the tools and knowledge needed to identify and address social risks more effectively. Ultimately, this initiative will help create safer and more equitable working conditions, fostering the well-being of coffee communities and ensuring a more sustainable and responsible coffee production process.  

The project will be implemented through a series of carefully planned activities, beginning with a comprehensive baseline assessment to identify the needs and challenges faced by auditors and certified Managing Entities in detecting social issues.

The baseline assessment was designed to shed light on the challenges of social issue detection, as well as good practices in social auditing. It was conducted in Vietnam (December 2024) and Colombia (2025). It also served to identify the needs of MEs and CBs to tailor the tools and training program accordingly.

A key feature of this initiative is its participatory approach, involving extensive consultations with stakeholders, including Managing Entities, community members, and underrepresented groups. This methodology ensures that all voices are heard and integrated, leading to more practical and effective solutions.

The baseline assessment was composed of the following activities:

• Online survey: invites 4C MEs and CBs, and ISCC’s CB and those of other sustainability schemes within the ISEAL community to share their challenges and experience  

• Desk research and review: analyze existing challenges, tools and approaches to social auditing

• In-depth expert interviews: delves into first-hand experience of interviewed MEs and CBs across different countries and continents  

• In-person consultation: explores practical experiences of 4C MEs, BPs, their workers, and other community members engaging in in-person onsite interviews in the focus countries of this project (Colombia and Vietnam) 
  

• Consultation with ISEAL Community Members: involves the diverse experiences of other sustainability schemes to exponentiate the outreach and benefits  

On the basis of the baseline assessment a training program will be developed for CBs, auditors and MEs (including farmers, cooperatives, and relevant stakeholders) in the focus countries of this project (Vietnam and Colombia). The trainings will be conducted in a hybrid format (online and in-person modules) in June-August 2025 in the two focus countries. 

The training comprises a holistic capacity building program, including coaching to auditor (if applicable). Topics and modules to be covered are: 

• Mandatory and Voluntary Human Rights Due Diligence  

• Labour Rights, Forced Labour  

• Child Labour 

• Occupational Health and Safety  

• Anti-Discrimination and Gender Equality 

Upon piloting the training package, the project will consolidate the learnings via pilot audits in Colombia and Vietnam. 

The training program developed during the project will be integrated into the 4C Training program to ensure the scale-up of best practices.  

In the light of fostering the Internal Management System (IMS) of 4C Units best practices of external audits will be made available to the Managing Entities to reap benefits and synergies.