The project's main objective is to ensure that Ecuador's agri-food supply chains to the European Union meet high standards of legality, sustainability and forest preservation, by strengthening the capacities of small cocoa producers in the provinces of Los Ríos, Guayas and Santa Elena, training them in environmental management and digitalisation, and supporting them in the implementation of responsible and profitable agricultural practices. As a result, a significant reduction in deforestation and improved competitiveness in the EU market is expected, while complying with EU regulations. In addition, the project promotes gender equality and empowerment of women and youth in the supply chain, strengthens farmers' organisation and contributes to the recovery of livelihoods affected by climate change. The project has a multifaceted impact that addresses environmental sustainability, economic competitiveness and social development in cocoa farming communities in Ecuador.

The relevance of this project is based on several aspects:

• Environmental: Deforestation and forest degradation are global environmental concerns. Ecuador is rich in biodiversity and forest ecosystems, so reducing deforestation and adopting sustainable agricultural practices are key to preserving these natural resources and combating climate change, which negatively affects agricultural production, including cocoa. Therefore, strengthening producers' capacities to adapt to these changes and recover affected livelihoods is essential in this context.

• Regulatory and market: The EU has established strict regulations and standards related to legality, sustainability and deforestation in agri-food supply chains. These standards apply to imports of products such as cocoa from Ecuador. As cocoa is an important part of the Ecuadorian economy and a source of exports to the EU, it is essential that producers adapt to these regulations in order to maintain their access to this market.

• Rural development and equity: small-scale cocoa producers and their production units in the provinces of Los Ríos, Guayas and Santa Elena face economic and social challenges. The project is aligned with the objective of boosting their competitiveness in the EU market, which will contribute to improving their livelihoods and economic situation. Furthermore, the focus on women and youth empowerment is relevant to promote inclusive development.

The direct beneficiaries are 422 farms (productive units) of producers, members of 7 UNOCACE member organisations: Asociaciones Visión Integral, Villanueva, El Deseo, Asoproten, El Rosario, La Cruz and Miraflores, which are located in the provinces of Los Ríos, Guayas and Santa Elena.

The project will also have an impact on UNOCACE's 2,240 member cocoa producers, as the activities to be carried out are scalable to the rest of the organisation's members.

Paulina Espin

Project Coordinator - Trias

paulina.espin@trias.ngo