#Save the Children #Ferrero #Côte d'Ivoire #Haut Sassandra

Innovative Initiative to Protect Children in Cocoa-Growing Communities

In recent years, Côte d'Ivoire has gained attention due to its significant cocoa production, but the stark realities faced by children in these communities have prompted action. A pioneering initiative is setting a new standard for child protection by bringing together various stakeholders including institutions, private sectors, and civil societies. This collaboration emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the rights and well-being of children in cocoa-producing regions such as Haut Sassandra and Montagnes.

The partnership centers around a new project launched by Ferrero, Save the Children, and the Italian Cooperation, which aims to improve living conditions and combat the issues of child labor prevalent in these communities. Officially announced in May 2025 during a West Africa mission led by Stefano Gatti from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, the initiative reflects a strong commitment to ensuring children's rights are respected and upheld.

Background and Objectives

The journey of this project began back in 2017, built upon pilot programs initiated by Save the Children with early support from Ferrero. As of now, the project has garnered substantial funding, nearly 20 million Euros, to address the root causes of child labor, primarily linked to socioeconomic vulnerability. The simplicity and ingenuity of this initiative lie in its comprehensive approach, which integrates community efforts to foster resilient, economically sustainable practices that prioritize children’s access to education and healthcare.

With a targeted timeline stretching until 2030, efforts will include enhancing vital services such as birth registration systems, health care, and sustainable livelihoods. By empowering local communities and supporting women-led enterprises, the initiative seeks to create a robust framework that not only protects children but also fortifies the overall economic stability of these regions.

Collaboration and Strategy

The true innovation of this initiative is in its integrated, systemic approach. It facilitates a connection between families, local authorities, and suppliers within the cocoa supply chain. This coordination aims to mobilize both public and private resources to realize long-lasting structural changes. Ferrero's insight into supply chain management, combined with Save the Children's local expertise, enhances the efficacy of this partnership, ensuring that interventions reach the most vulnerable children.

Isabel Hochgesand, Ferrero's Global Chief Procurement Officer, stressed the importance of human rights in corporate practices, highlighting that their sourcing strategies are deeply rooted in respecting community welfare. Through this ambitious collaboration, the goal is to establish an inclusive and enduring cocoa supply chain that not only uplifts communities but also resonates with ethical sourcing standards.

The initiative also places considerable importance on monitoring and evaluation. To guarantee tangible outcomes and sustainable results, it leverages performance indicators that gauge the effectiveness of interventions. This reflective process is key to understanding the impact of their activities and adapting strategies where necessary.

Conclusion

As Daniela Fatarella, CEO of Save the Children Italy stated, effective change is born not from isolated actions but from transformative partnerships that engage multiple actors across sectors. This project exemplifies a genuine investment in the future of Côte d'Ivoire's children. The collaboration among Ferrero, Italian Development Cooperation, and Save the Children epitomizes a strategy that interweaves corporate accountability and social responsibility, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for the next generation in cocoa-producing communities.

For more information about this pivotal initiative, interested parties can visit the official Ferrero website.