Communities in Côte d’Ivoire are not just benefitting from improved cocoa production as part of Mars Inc.’s Vision for Change program, they are also receiving assistance to build and remodel schools and install new pumps to deliver potable water.

The website of the Sustainable Cocoa Initiative reports on ‘capitalization’ meetings being conducted by scientists from the World Agroforestry Centre to review progress on community development initiatives.

During the meetings, representatives from communities involved in the Vision for Change program share successes, setbacks, opportunities and obstacles from their experiences with the program.

The community development work is viewed as a critical complementary component to the program, aimed at driving changes in labor practices, education and women’s engagement. “All of which underpin the objective of making cocoa farming more professional and attractive to the next generation of farmers,” says the article.

Participants at one meeting identified the need to improve communication among various ethnic and migrant groups in many of the communities and to increase the participation of women in community committees.

Read the full story: Improving Community Development Practices