Sustainable and responsible international value chains
Problems in international value chains, such as child labour and poor working conditions, are often complicated. This is especially the case in developing countries. Dutch companies are often a single link in the chain. But by working well with local suppliers, they can still contribute to sustainable and responsible international value chains. Do you want to ensure sustainable and responsible value chains in developing countries? Learn more about how we can support you.

Tackling value chain problems together
Currently, during the production of food and goods worldwide, problems still occur. These include human rights violations, such as child labour, environmental pollution and large-scale deforestation. These have negative consequences for people, the environment and society.
The Netherlands is committed to making production chains more sustainable. We encourage companies to investigate and address human and environmental risks in their international value chains. Together with partners, the goal is to make value chains in combination countries more sustainable. International Corporate Social Responsibility (ICSR), innovation and market transformation are important elements in achieving this.
What does the Netherlands Enterprise Agency do?
We contribute to sustainable and responsible value chains through subsidies and programmes such as:
- Sectoral Partnerships Pillar 1
- European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM)
- Fund against Child Labour (FBK)
- Fund for Responsible Business (FVO)
These programmes focus on combating child labour, making chains more sustainable, improving working conditions (such as a living wage), ICSR, due diligence and responsible mining, among other things.
We support projects and partnerships that want to:
- Investigate and address problems in their international chains;
- Improve local working conditions;
- Apply ICSR and due diligence practices;
- Ensure responsibly-produced minerals in conflict areas.
How can we support you?
Is your business based in the Netherlands, or do you represent an NGO or knowledge institute? And do you want to contribute to making international value chains more sustainable and responsible?
- Contact our advisors
- Find a partner for your project
- Join the 'Partners in Sustainable Development' community
- Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to stay informed on our latest news and top stories from all over the world.
What have our projects achieved?
Here are a few highlights of what our projects achieved in 2022:

Source: FVO and FBK
- 21,763 people helped to develop economic income-generating activities
- 5,045 workers with improved labour conditions
- 83,588 children now attend school
For more information on our projects and lessons learnt, see our:
Sustainable and responsible value chain projects in practice
Watch our videos on projects in Uganda and Egypt.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs