ICoCA RESPONSIBLE SECURITY AWARDS: JUST TRANSITION & RESPONSIBLE SECURITY
Responsible Security Practices and the Just Transition
In July 2025, ICoCA called on its private security company (PSC) Members and Affiliates, civil society organisation (CSO) Members and Observers to share their best practices supporting Strategic Goal 3: Just Transition – as outlined in ICoCA’s 2024–30 Strategic Plan – the shift toward a greener economy that is fair, inclusive and creates decent work opportunities while leaving no one behind.
The Just Transition requires substantial investment in extractive, infrastructure and renewable energy sectors, often in fragile environments where local and indigenous communities live. Projects such as mining critical minerals or developing renewable energy infrastructure can create social tensions, land disputes and displacement risks. PSCs operating in these contexts are uniquely positioned at the interface between companies and communities. Their practices directly affect human rights protection, community engagement, environmental stewardship and local economic stability. Properly vetted, trained and supported security personnel can help prevent conflict, build trust and promote sustainable development, while poor practices can exacerbate risks and undermine the transition. As the demand for private security grows in renewable energy and associated projects, ensuring responsible business practices becomes critical, for the Just Transition.
The first edition of the ICoCA Responsible Security Awards recognise PSCs and CSOs that exemplify these principles. It celebrates initiatives that combine operational security with human rights, social responsibility and environmental innovation. We are proud to present the winners of this first edition of the ICoCA Responsible Security Awards, produced with generous support from the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO):
PSC Member Award (Transitional & Certified) Winner: SGA Security Kenya is recognised for its responsible decommissioning plan at the Base Titanium Mine in Kwale, Kenya. This plan addresses both the financial and emotional impacts that mine closure can have on the workforce. It prepares SGA Security Officers for “life after Base” and highlights the lifecycle of mining operations beyond their operational phase, along with their broader socioeconomic implications.- PSC Affiliate Award Winner: ARB SECURITY Ltd. in Albania has implemented a Community-Based Security Model across all its energy infrastructure projects in Albania. By coupling operational security with community legitimacy – prioritising local recruitment and empowering guards as community liaisons – ARB’s approach detects early tensions, prevents conflict escalation and strengthens trust between developers and communities.
- CSO Award Winner: International Peace Information Service (IPIS) has launched two community-based incident-monitoring systems. Operating in eastern DRC to report incidents in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector, and in Tanzania to monitor both ASM and large-scale mining operations, the Kufatilia (in DRC) and Kufuatilia (in Tanzania) mechanisms enhance transparency, accountability and safety. They demonstrate how digital reporting tools, paired with strong civil society partnerships, can strengthen responsible mineral supply chains in diverse and often conflict-affected contexts.
- Innovation Award Winner: IDG Security brings a two-pronged approach to environmental and social responsibility. Through its E-Ledgers pilot, the company is among the first in the private security industry to assess its carbon footprint comprehensively. At the same time, the company’s response to the Myanmar earthquake highlights its commitment to staff welfare, the continuity of essential operations and community resilience, showing that environmental innovation and social responsibility must advance together.
All our Award Winners demonstrate a commitment to human rights protection, community engagement and environmental stewardship. The following document provides an overview of their best practices, with more detailed case studies to be shared in the coming months. Given the high quality of submissions received, ICoCA will be developing a series of mini case studies highlighting innovative practices from non-winning entries. We hope all of these examples inspire others across the industry and encourage continued participation in future editions of the Responsible Security Awards. Your insights, innovations and best practices are vital to advancing responsible security worldwide.