The AFi e-learning platform is an online training resource designed to help companies apply the Accountability Framework to eliminate deforestation, conversion, and human rights violations from their supply chains.
The platform features a series of self-directed learning modules that follow the Framework's seven action areas. These modules consolidate the Accountability Framework’s Core Principles, Operational Guidance, and Definitions into concise, accessible, and engaging learning courses to support companies in the implementation of ethical supply chains in the agricultural and forestry sectors.
Each module features lessons on key topics pertaining to the action area, as well as knowledge checks and reflection questions to support learning, and links to key resources. Once registered, you can create your own learning plan and library of courses, and can download a certificate of completion to share with your network. You can also submit questions directly to the AFi Backbone Team through the platform.
The AFi e-learning platform offers a convenient and engaging way for company staff, consultancies, civil society, policy makers, and other stakeholders to grow their knowledge on ethical supply chains. Click the button below to get started on your learning journey today.
Current e-learning modules
An introduction to the AFi
This module acts an overview of the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) and the AFi Coalition, as well as its core offering: the Accountability Framework. It also outlines the Framework’s seven action areas, each covered in more depth by additional modules on each topic. Finally, this module shares how the Framework is being used in practice — from companies to industry groups to reporting platforms — to accelerate progress towards ethical agriculture and forestry supply chains.
Set and strengthen supply chain goals
Guided by the Accountability Framework’s Core Principles 1, 2, and 3, this module gives insight into the pivotal role of clear goals in achieving supply chains free from deforestation, conversion, and human rights violations. The module also details the essential elements to incorporate into these goals, emphasising the need for clear terms and definitions, a sufficiently broad scope to fully address risk, and an adequate level of detail to enable credible monitoring and reporting.
Establish company systems
Success in ethical supply chains hinges on robust internal management systems. The Accountability Framework's Core Principle 4 guides companies on how to establish the necessary processes to implement their commitments effectively. This module highlights the need for embedding supply chain goals into business operations through senior leadership and accountability, integrated management systems, strong stakeholder engagement, and grievance mechanisms.
Manage supply chains
Designed for commodity buyers, this module addresses the sourcing complexities of downstream and midstream companies. Focused on the Accountability Framework's Core Principles 5, 6, and 9, the module details how buyers can cascade responsible sourcing goals up the supply chain to address risk and achieve positive impact at the production level. It also clarifies the role of commodity buyers in restoration or remediation when environmental or social harms have occurred in their supply chains.
Manage commodity production
Designed for commodity producers and processors, this module focuses on the role of companies who produce, manage, or invest in farms, plantations, forests, and primary processing units to meet ethical supply chain goals. Following Core Principles 7, 8, and 9 of the Accountability Framework, this module focuses on site establishment, responsible site management, and remediation and restoration. Topics also include long-term protection; free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) processes; workers’ rights; and remedy for human rights violations and environmental harms.
With key climate milestones and major deforestation due diligence regulations fast approaching, the AFi’s e-learning platform is the go-to-address for companies to efficiently increase their knowledge and build internal capacities for developing and achieving corporate sustainability targets around deforestation, conversion, and human rights. The platform provides companies with guidance to align their internal processes and systems with key requirements set by internationally-recognised standards and incoming regulations while ensuring commonality of approaches among critical supply chain actors.
Future e-learning modules
The AFi will launch additional modules on the e-learning platform throughout the year on topics such as:
- Collaboration
- Monitoring and verification
- Reporting on progress
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