Strategic Alliances

In August 2023, República del Cacao closed a collaborative alliance with Fundación Cecilia Rivadeneira, a civil society organization that works with families affected by childhood cancer, strengthening network creation, social entrepreneurship, and financial sustainability.

One of their projects is Cecilia Café & Lunch, a cafeteria run by mothers of children with cancer who have been unable to return to the workforce due to the care they provide their children during their illness. In this regard, República del Cacao, committed to generating positive impact in the community, will work for at least one year to strengthen this social gastronomic venture through workshops on chocolate making, customer service, communication and social media, food safety, among other technical training, which will allow for the development and innovation of this business.

During the second half of 2023, República del Cacao became the first Ecuadorian SME to formally sign an alliance with the World Food Programme (WFP). This United Nations organization works to improve the nutrition of women and children, help small farmers improve productivity and reduce losses, help countries and communities prepare for and respond to climate crises, and boost human capital through school feeding programs. Thanks to this work, the WFP received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.

República del Cacao will work with this organization on the project to promote banana and cocoa consumption in vulnerable communities in Ecuador. To achieve this, it will strengthen several of its components through training for small farmers at our Collection Center in Vinces, workshops with our corporate chef and allied chefs for the creation of healthy cocoa recipes, and knowledge exchange through Cacao Talks with the private sector, international cooperation, and strategic allies on how to contribute to reducing malnutrition levels in Ecuador.

Fudela (Foundation of the Americas) is an Ecuadorian NGO that, since 2005, has implemented high-impact programs for the social and economic inclusion of vulnerable groups, including the human mobility population. 

Fudela works with cooperation funds on projects with different components in which we will participate to strengthen those linked to technical training associated with gastronomic themes for women, youth, and migrants. 

We are committed to developing the capabilities of our farmers. Therefore, we maintain an alliance with NCBA CLUSA to implement the Farmer to Farmer project, funded by USAID. Through on-site training by American experts, we aim to improve agricultural practices, increase the productivity and profitability of fine cocoa farmers, and enhance the sustainable use of natural resources.

This collaboration aims to improve the lives of farmers and their communities, as well as ensure a sustainable and high-quality cocoa supply, creating a cycle of mutual benefits and long-term sustainable development for migrants.