In 2020, the ALDI SOUTH Group, Fairtrade, the chocolate manufacturer Storck and the cocoa cooperative ECAMOM in Côte d’Ivoire established a strategic working relationship which resulted in annual Impact Reports. Through these impact reports, ECAMOM collected data from its 3,800 cocoa farmers on how the Fairtrade premium, received for the cocoa sold to Storck and ALDI, was used. While this showed all the beneficial improvements that could be implemented thanks to the premium, the impact report also highlighted specific challenges ECAMOM is facing. These challenges have prompted the need for a comprehensive project aimed at strengthening ECAMOM.

Recognizing the need to bolster ECAMOM's operations and the overall cocoa sector, a comprehensive project has been envisioned in partnership with key stakeholders. This initiative focuses on the implementation of:

Women's School of Leadership

The Women's School of Leadership aims to equip female farmers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to actively participate in decision-making processes, improve farm management practices, and foster economic independence.

Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation System

A comprehensive monitoring and remediation system will be established to prevent, identify and remediate cases of child labour identified within ECAMOM. By collaborating with local communities and stakeholders, this initiative aims to ensure that children have access to education, a safe environment, and proper opportunities for development.

Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA)

Financial inclusion is vital for the economic empowerment of smallholder farmers. VSLAs will be established to provide farmers, especially women, with access to financial services which will improve household income.

Polygon Mapping for Farm Management

The project will employ modern technologies to create polygon maps that accurately depict the boundaries and characteristics of each farm. This data-driven approach will help ECAMOM retain market access as this data is needed for the upcoming EU deforestation regulation and will enable more effective farm management, resource allocation, and environmental conservation.

The project's overarching goal is to foster sustainable development and positive transformation of the cooperative and to create a more equitable and thriving cocoa sector that benefits farmers, families, and the local communities.

This collaborative effort aligns with ALDI’s Global Sustainability Strategy, reinforcing our commitment to making sustainability affordable for our customers while advancing the development of sustainable supply chains.