From 2018 to 2022, the members of the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (SWISSCO) engaged in public-private partnerships. These programmes, co-financed by SECO, invested CHF 26 million in 15 innovative cocoa value chain projects across eight countries. SWISSCO is now publishing the report "Unlocking Innovation: Results and learnings from 15 value chain projects" that summarises the accomplishments and insights gained from these initiatives, drawing upon data analysis and stakeholder consultations.
Businesses ought to flourish while respecting the dignity and rights of every individual. New materials are available to aid companies in implementing human rights due diligence. These materials are in line with international standards, particularly the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (SWISSCO) is delighted to announce its newest member, the Peace Dividend Initiative (PDI). Based in Geneva, the Peace Dividend Initiative is a non-profit organisation committed to fostering peace and prosperity in conflict-affected regions worldwide.
The European Initiatives on Sustainable Cocoa (ISCOs) hosted an international event in Geneva that focused on how the child labour dimension can be integrated into landscape and area-based approaches.
Export Trading Group (ETG) is a leading international agricultural trading company with a diversified portfolio that includes cocoa. Four years ago, ETG established the Beyond Beans Foundation, which today works to build sustainability programmes in ETG's cocoa and cashew supply chains. André van den Beld, Head Sustainability at ETG, explains what he expects from the membership and in which areas he sees the greatest potential to contribute to SWISSCO's goals.
The cocoa trader Cameroots has joined the SWISSCO community. Cameroots shares its expertise and best practices with cocoa farmers and empowers them to improve their livelihoods while promoting environmentally friendly cocoa farming practices. In this interview, Cameroots' founder & CEO Jan Kessler explains how he will contribute to SWISSCO's goals.
The SWISSCO community warmly welcomes Save the Children Switzerland as a new member. We look forward to a fruitful cooperation together. The new SWISSCO member has over 100 years of experience in strengthening children's rights. Save the Children will support efforts in the cocoa sector to combat child labour and improve the prospects of young people.
A study co-financed by SECO estimates the income required for coffee and cocoa farmers in Peru to afford a decent standard of living (living income). The results highlight the contrast between the so-called “Living Income Benchmark” and the poverty line defined by the Peruvian government, shedding light on the challenges faced by farming communities.
The Cavally landscape project in Ivory Coast, which is also funded by SECO under the SWISSCO Landscape Program, entered in its second phase. This project that will help protect the Cavally rainforest is a public-private partnership, involving stakeholders from the industry, state, and NGO. Gerome Tokpa is Senior Manager and Country Head of the NGO Earthworm Foundation. In this interview he talks about the importance of holistic approaches and which best practices are needed to protect rainforests in emerging countries.
