A common monitoring framework for measuring progress
To monitor progress and challenges in achieving the Cocoa Platform’s goals and to measure results, a common Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework was developed.
The members of the Cocoa Platform have committed themselves to the goal of ensuring that all cocoa imported into Switzerland comes from sustainable production by 2030, and aim to make a measurable contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). The common MEL framework was developed in collaboration with the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in a participatory process involving representatives of all member sectors. It was adopted by the members at the first General Assembly in 2019.
The MEL Framework builds on the Principles for Sustainable Cocoa and takes into account existing international frameworks. It has a modular structure consisting of basic output indicators, advanced outcome indicators and sector-wide impact indicators. Farm and household characteristics form the basis of all assessments and the framework can be expanded with a set of optional indicators.
The progress of the Cocoa Platform is monitored at four levels:
1. Monitoring the share of sustainable cocoa imported into Switzerland
In 2022, 75 % of all cocoa bean equivalents imported into Switzerland came from sustainable production. This is an increase of 4 % compared to the 71 % of 2021, when the value decreased compared to 2020. Overall, the milestone target of 80% sustainable imports by 2025 and 100% by 2030 is still within reach. However, further efforts are needed, especially in the import of cocoa butter.
Broken down by cocoa products, 98 % of cocoa beans came from sustainable production in 2022. For cocoa butter, 2021 saw the first decline in the sustainably produced share since 2018: While there was a significant improvement to 59% sustainably produced cocoa butter in 2020, the share decreased by three percentage points to 56% in 2021. In 2022, this percentage remained at the same level. It is a key challenge to increase this share to achieve the medium and long-term sourcing target of the Cocoa Platform.
Cocoa sourced from sustainable production is understood as cocoa equivalents which are either produced and certified according to internationally recognized sustainability standards, or produced according to the Principles for Sustainable Cocoa and credibly verified by an independent third party. Learn more
2. Monitoring and evaluation of the projects
The activities of the members of the Cocoa Platform within the framework of the projects co-financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) are recorded annually. MEL framework developed specifically for the Cocoa Platform serves as the basis for recording the progress and impact of our projects.
From 2018 to 2022, SWISSCO members have engaged in public-private partnerships, co-financed by the SECO to pilot innovative approaches in the cocoa value chain. With a total investment of over CHF 26 million, 15 innovative value chain projects in eight countries have generated insights into approaches to tackle the various socio-economic and environmental sustainability challenges in the cocoa sector and beyond. A report, summarising the learnings and including case studies for each of the projects can be found here.
In 2023, a new SECO co-financed project cycle was launched, encompassing landscape projects, innovative value chain projects and peer learning and collaboration projects and initiatives. These projects will continuously be monitored through the platform’s MEL framework.
3. Measuring the achievement of the Roadmap 2030 targets
The goals of the Cocoa Platform are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda and are set out in the Roadmap 2030, which was adopted by the General Assembly in September 2021. The Roadmap defines 12 specific goals on the four key themes: (1) Living income, (2) Climate, forests and agroforestry, (3) Child labour, (4) Traceability and transparency, as well as the two transversal themes of gender equality and innovation.
To measure the progress and challenges of the Cocoa Platform's members towards achieving these goals, three member surveys are conducted by 2030 and their key findings will be published in aggregated form in reports (2022, 2025 and 2030). The interim report, scheduled for 2025, will be used to map the goals considering emerging needs and opportunities as well as changing framework conditions in an increasingly complex system.
4. Harmonisation of monitoring with other initiatives
The Cocoa Platform works towards harmonising its monitoring with cocoa producer countries within the framework of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) and with other globally active member initiatives in the cocoa sector (e.g. the World Cocoa Foundation WCF or the European Initiatives on Sustainable Cocoa ISCOs). The Cocoa Platform is in regular contact with representatives of the relevant initiatives to promote the standardisation of indicators, metrics and definitions as well as the timeframe of the surveys.
On the one hand, this makes it easier for companies and organisations involved in several initiatives to process the data. On the other hand, it enables the quantification of the collected data and the measurability of the impact in the cultivation regions. Through cross-country and cross-organisational monitoring systems, important insights can be gained that reflect the current situation in the cocoa growing regions. In addition, the Cocoa Platform plans and carries out topic-specific and sector-wide studies, so-called impact assessments, together with national and international initiatives.