Diamond Development Initiative International

Maendeleo Diamond Standards MDS (formerly Development Diamond Standards) ooo. eee eeeennneeeeeennennee eter Development Diamond Standards (DDS) program was rebranded as Maendeleo Diamond Standards (MDS) in The MDS certification system contributes to the formalization of the artisanal diamond mining sector by supporting the legalization of mining operations and adherence to requirements pertaining to human rights, health and safety, and environmental sustainability In 2017, the first Maendeleo diamonds were sold to an international buyer and used in the My Fair Diamond jewelry collection One of the collection items has been purchased for display by the DIVA Museum in Antwerp. 28sec he \

Cooperatives Program ne ener The Cooperative program brings together registered miners to advance formalization through two main goals. The firstaimsto enhance the functional capacity of the cooperatives, the second targets the miners themselves In 2017, DDI saw 9 of 10 miners’ cooperatives complete the provincial and national legalization process so they cannow move forward with mining zone permits

Mobile Schooling ooo ooo eee enceeeeen nee e ccc eeene ne cenen nc nen ccna From 2015 to 2017, DDI operated a mobile schooling program in the DRC, offering intensive remedial education to children who had dropped out of school in order to help them complete the requirements for primary school and enable themto reintegrate the reqular system. Of the 121 children who started the program, 117 successfully passed the government exams making them eligible to advance to secondary schoo!. DDI continues to support these students through the High School Support PROGTAM. cena aneceece a cnnna geen nan