TRANSFORMING NON-INCLUSIVE SOCIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL NORMS IN COCOA COOPERATIVES
Background & Justification
The main problem in the cocoa value chain in Mintom stems from the local governance of cooperatives, particularly the exclusion of women and the Baka. This situation affects their access to resources, training, and economic opportunities through underrepresentation in decision-making, discriminatory land rights, unequal access to inputs, and the persistence of patriarchal norms.
This dysfunction also hinders compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (RDUE), as the exclusion of women and the Baka prevents full traceability and limits the adoption of sustainable practices, thereby compromising access to the European market and financing.
The solution lies in more equitable and transparent cooperative governance.
The project aims to fundamentally transform the non-inclusive social and organizational norms that currently govern cocoa cooperatives in the Mintom District.
Objective
To promote inclusive and equitable governance of cocoa cooperatives in Mintom by strengthening the participation of women and the Baka Indigenous people in decision–making bodies, as well as their access to resources and sustainable production standards.
- Two cooperatives in Mintom have improved their governance framework through the participatory adoption of policies that incorporate gender equality and ethnic diversity.
- At least 50% of women and 30% of Baka people are able to speak before cooperative members to advocate for their interests and influence decision-making.
- At least two governance documents per cooperative are revised through a participatory process.
At least one gender strategy for cocoa cooperatives is developed. - At least 70% of the members of the two cooperatives have improved their knowledge of the RDUE.
- The leadership of women and the Baka people in the Mintom cocoa cooperatives is strengthened.
- The cooperatives’ governing documents, which include commitments to gender equality and ethnic diversity, are adopted.
- Adherence to European standards and sustainable production (RDUE) is strengthened.
- Assess the baseline situation regarding governance in the target cocoa cooperatives.
- Conduct a detailed, participatory assessment of governance in the Mintom 1 and Ekombité cooperatives.
- Raise awareness among members of the target cocoa cooperatives about strengthening inclusive participation.
- Strengthen the capacities and leadership of women and the Baka.
- Raise awareness among members of the target cooperatives (men, women, and the Baka) about the requirements of the RDUE.
- Reform the governance of the Mintom cooperatives.
Cooperatives in the villages of Mintom 1 and Ekombité.
Mintom, Southern Region of Cameroon
From April 1, 2026, to April 1, 2027
The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, through GIZ, as part of the “Sustainable Agriculture for Forest Ecosystems” project, in the amount of 34,999.65 EUR.
