Action is taking a bold step to improve child wellbeing in Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa farming communities.
As the first international retailer to join the Fairtrade Living Income & Child Wellbeing Programme, Action aims to support cocoa farmers and ensure children have access to education. This initiative focuses on three cocoa cooperatives, addressing the dual challenges of low farmer income and child labor.
Action’s Commitment to Cocoa Farmers and Children
Action’s initiative is part of the broader Action Sustainability Programme (ASP), which emphasizes community contributions. The programme targets cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire, where many struggle to earn a living income. When farmers cannot support their families, children often miss school to work on farms, perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
By joining the Fairtrade programme, Action commits to improving the livelihoods of farmers while ensuring children can stay in school. The programme not only aims to close the income gap but also invests in educational projects, such as providing school kits to children.
Côte d’Ivoire: Key figures on Fairtrade Cocoa
- Since 2022, all cocoa used in Action private label products is Fairtrade certified.
Support for Education and Community Development
The Fairtrade Living Income & Child Wellbeing Programme is designed to create sustainable change. By focusing on both income and education, Action and Fairtrade are working to ensure that children can pursue their studies instead of working in the fields. This dual approach is crucial for breaking the cycle of child labor in cocoa farming.
Next Steps for Action and Fairtrade
- Continue to support cocoa cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire.
- Expand educational projects to reach more children.
- Monitor the impact of the Fairtrade Living Income Reference Price.
Action’s initiative is a significant step towards a sustainable future for cocoa farmers and their children in Côte d’Ivoire.
