GENEVA / COLOMBIA – The Colombian Cocoa Network (Red Cacaotera de Colombia) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) marked their continuing partnership with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 18 June, supporting sustainable cocoa production in Colombia, in line with emerging green regulations.
This event was organized in collaboration with the non-profit Swisscontact Colombia, which promotes sustainable development by focusing on private sector-led economic growth and improving the quality of life in developing and emerging countries. Designed with Colombians, for Colombians
The renewed MOU focuses on scaling up the number of cooperatives and producers implementing sustainable practices in the cocoa sector. The partnership aims to update the guidelines, methodology, tools, as well as training and coaching materials on the Basic Guidelines for Sustainable Cocoa – or Lineamientos Básicos de Cacao Sostenible (LBCS) in Spanish – to better equip producers and cooperatives to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation and other emerging sustainability regulations.
The upcoming Trade for Sustainable Development (T4SD) Forum will feature the LBCS project as a model of successful collaboration and sustainable development.
Strengthening partnerships
The LBCS Colombia sustainability guidelines were created through the alliance of ITC, Swisscontact and the Colombian Cocoa Network, with SECO support. Since 2015, the LBCS project has worked with 30 cocoa cooperatives in Colombia, benefiting 3,500 small producers and their families. The LBCS methodology has also been implemented in Peru and it is currently being used in another project in Ecuador focusing on the agroindustry sector. The comprehensive landscape approach of the LBCS project has contributed to local and regional climate change mitigation efforts and biodiversity conservation.
“We are delighted to renew our partnership with Red Cacaotera de Colombia and Swisscontact Colombia,” said Sandra Cabrera de Leicht, LBCS project manager at ITC. “Our collaborative efforts have contributed to the sustainable production and trade of Colombian cocoa, benefiting hundreds of small producers and their communities. Today we commit to build up on that base, supporting the more vulnerable actors of the cocoa sector to align their sustainability efforts with the mandatory requirements of current and upcoming sustainability-related regulations.”
Miguel Rodriguez, manager of Red Cacaotera de Colombia, said: “This MOU is a testament to our shared commitment to sustainable development. By updating the LBCS Colombia guidelines and methodology, we can better support our producers in meeting international standards and accessing new markets, advancing on the environmental sustainability required by international markets while keeping the social sustainability/wellbeing of our producers at the core of our efforts.”
Mary Amalia Vasquez, director of Swisscontact Colombia, said: “Our joint technical support will enable Colombian cocoa producers to navigate the complexities of new EU regulations and enhance their visibility through trade promotion activities. With this tool we seek to close the gaps between the Colombian offer and the requirements of the European market.”
