PeaceGold, the social enterprise connecting artisanal gold mining cooperatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri Province with ethical jewellers across the UK, has won Community Initiative of the Year at the Professional Jeweller Awards 2026.
PeaceGold, based in Bishop Auckland’s Fore Bondgate, is dedicated to transforming gold into a source of peace and prosperity in the conflict-affected Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Much of DRC’s population is severely impacted by intersecting crises of ongoing armed conflict, mass displacement, severe food insecurity, an ongoing Ebola outbreak and frequent climate shocks.
PeaceGold’s ultimate goal is to break the historic link between artisanal gold mining and violent conflict in the east of the country, helping to convert the region’s significant mineral wealth into a tool for peace, community development and economic stability.
Through building a robust and legal supply chain for its partner mining cooperatives to export their gold, PeaceGold supports these cooperatives in actively eradicating child labour, promotes mercury-free mining, and facilitates a social development fund, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-militia, and community-based psycho-social support.
“Winning a community award for our work as PeaceGold is a great feeling, said PeaceGold founder, Greg Valerio MBE. “It is an award we can all be proud of, and a vindication of the thousands of hours of work, belief and dedication that everyone associated with PeaceGold has invested.
“In a world that seems intent on creating division, PeaceGold celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and of course the one human value we all crave: peace.
“Peace is a prerequisite for the human family to thrive. This is our heartbeat and our commitment.”
This award follows a period of momentous progress in Ituri Province, the northeast of DRC where PeaceGold’s work is based.
For Greg and the PeaceGold team, this year’s developments are the culmination of more than 15 years of peacebuilding, advocacy and nurturing partnerships in the DRC.
For jewellers here in the UK, they mean traceable PeaceGold will very soon be available to buy.
PeaceGold has continued to grow as a hub for craft, retail and community education in Bishop Auckland.
A full and diverse programme of jewellery-making courses for Autumn 2026 has just been announced, introducing new techniques and formats for PeaceGold’s growing community of makers.
To learn more, visit peace-gold.com.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
