News from ICI
- Transforming Lives of Children in Rural Communities: CIRCLE project launched25 October 2023Late last month in Accra, ICI and its partner Fairtrade Africa (FTA) launched the CIRCLE (Children in rural Communities are learning and Empowered) Project. The project is being implemented by Fairtrade Africa and International Cocoa Initiative in collaboration with Fairtrade Finland, Fairtrade Netherlands and two producer organizations — the Asunafo Cocoa Farmers in Goaso and Asetenapa Cocoa Farmers’ Cooperative in Suhum, targeting a total of 12,700 children in 36 communities. This initiative is set to make a significant impact, ensuring that children in cocoa-growing communities not onlyRead more
- Ghana Licensed Buying Company Fludor joins ICI3 October 2023Global trader of agri-food, feed and fiber, Vink Corporation, has joined ICI as a member with a view to implementing targeted activities to tackle child labor and forced labor in cocoa, engaging inRead more
- ICI’s Protective Community Index helps to promote a protective environment for children in cocoa communities22 September 2023An estimated 1.5 million children are involved in child labour in cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, most often working within their households. These households often face the reality of rural povertyRead more
- Savings and loans: The importance of linking VSLAs to the formal banking system in cocoa-growing areas21 September 2023“ I hesitated on the bank matter because I can't read or write and I've been cheated several times. (...) I finally accepted and received 350,000 Fcfa. With this money and my husband's financialRead more
- Improving literacy amongst children: Helping cocoa growing communities thrive5 September 2023Education has long been considered an essential remedy to combating child labour, but even if a school is nearby, children cannot study as they should without the necessary school supplies. In AnyemeRead more
- Child Protection at Gnipi 2 - From project financing to school support for a producer2 September 2023Early in the mornings, vegetable farmer Charles Koukougnon, can usually be found walking to his field located near Gnipi 2, a cocoa community around 13 km from Soubré. He walks happily, with his headRead more
- Apparagra: Barry Callebaut and The Hershey Company build a playground for primary school children7 August 2023Located 25km from Hiré in Divo, Côte d’Ivoire, at the Apparagra Public Primary School, pupils play in the schoolyard, using the new equipment installed by the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI)Read more