Pathfinder countries go further and faster to achieve Target 8.7. They accelerate efforts, try new approaches and collaborate with others. All UN member states have committed to do more, so pathfinder status is open to any country, regardless of development level. Pathfinder countries commit to:

• Develop, adopt and put into practice improved legislation, national action plans or policies on child labour, forced labour, modern slavery and/or human trafficking
• Translate public commitments into concrete actions after having signed the Call to Action to End Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and/or made a pledge to implement the Buenos Aires Declaration of the IV Global Conference on the Sustained Eradication of Child Labour (Buenos Aires, 14-16 November 2017) or similar initiatives
• Ratify, or actively work towards the ratification or implementation of, applicable international human rights standards, including international labour standards.

The Alliance 8.7 Global Coordinating Group, which acts as the Alliance’s steering committee, reviews and decides on pathfinder countries’ requests on a periodical basis.

Pathfinder countries turn their commitments into action. They can pick up the pace in their own country and/or support other countries to accelerate action. At a national level, they convene strategic planning workshops on Target 8.7 to explore opportunities for collaboration and define national priorities.

The expected output of these workshops is a workplan that sets out priorities, key actions, responsibilities, timelines and budgets. The workshops should identify what a country needs to do to meet Target 8.7, which can include complying with international human rights and labour standards, legislative action, new and different policies, new partnerships, additional data and research, and identifying indicators to measure progress.

Alliance 8.7 pathfinder countries:

• Will, through ending child labour, forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking, bring about more inclusive and sustainable development
• Showcase progress and successful interventions in regional and international events, using the Alliance as a platform
• Gain access to good practice, knowledge and expertise
• Can themselves serve as an example to drive change by showing progress and successful interventions
• Receive technical support for the preparation of strategic planning workshops
• Receive guidance on the preparation of progress reports, e.g. under the Voluntary National Review Mechanism (VNR) of the Agenda 2030.

Countries need to submit a formal expression of interest to the Alliance 8.7 Secretariat. The letter should be signed by a government minister and set out:

• The country’s interest in participating as a pathfinder country
• Its commitment to significantly accelerate efforts towards achieving Target 8.7
• Recent achievements and previous national initiatives to build upon
• The appointment of a senior government official as a focal point to lead and coordinate Alliance 8.7 efforts in the country.

Organizing a strategic planning workshop is a first important step to bring partners together, establish a common agenda and prioritize country-level action. For further information on dates and locations of strategic workshops please visit the Alliance 8.7 calendar.