Events & Workshops
Our work
The German Intiative on Sustainable Cocoa is regularly represented at these events:
International Confectionary Fair (ISM)
Future-Proofing Cocoa Supply Chains in Focus at ISM 2026
As part of ISM 2026, GISCO, together with the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa, hosted the event “Future-Proofing Chocolate: How to Build Resilient Cocoa Supply Chains” on the Expert Stage.
Against the backdrop of volatile markets, the impacts of climate change, an ageing producer population, increasing sustainability requirements, and growing expectations from consumers and regulatory authorities, experts discussed how resilient cocoa supply chains can be built for the long term. The central question was how to ensure a reliable and sustainable supply of cocoa in the future – and what conditions need to be created to enable cocoa farmers to earn a living income and see a future in cocoa farming.
The panel discussion brought together perspectives from cocoa production, industry and certification. Participants discussed the economic, social and environmental factors influencing the long-term productivity and profitability of cocoa farming.
At the end of the event, the panellists were asked which single factor could make cocoa future-proof. Their answers highlighted key areas for action: fairness, collaboration, shared responsibility, locally rooted initiatives, and consumers’ willingness to pay fair prices for food.
The high level of interest and lively participation from the audience underlined the relevance of the topic. Special thanks go to all panellists, partners and supporters, as well as the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa, for the successful joint organisation of the event. The reception that followed at the stand of the Association of the German Confectionary Industry (BDSI) also provided an opportunity for further exchange and networking.
ISM Event on Living Incomes in the Cocoa Sector
As part of ISM 2025, GISCO, together with the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa, hosted an expert event on “Living Incomes in the Cocoa Sector: Practical Approaches for SMEs”.
The event was aimed particularly at small and medium-sized enterprises and formed part of GISCO’s two-year thematic focus on developing strategies for living incomes in the cocoa sector.
Representatives from civil society, industry and trade came together for a panel discussion to explore different approaches, opportunities for action and strategies to promote living incomes. The event also provided an opportunity for exchange and networking among the various stakeholders.
You can find the event presentations here.
ISM Event on Gender and Living Income
On Sunday, 28 January 2024, GISCO hosted an event as part of ISM, the world’s largest trade fair for confectionery and snacks, focusing on “Working Together Towards a Living Income – Gender-Sensitive Approaches for the Cocoa Value Chain” in Cologne.
Women in Focus: Kick-off Event for the Annual Theme “Living Incomes” Highlights why we need Gender-Sensitive Approaches in the Cocoa Sector
As part of a salon discussion, members of GISCO discussed with experts the challenges faced by women in the cocoa sector and the strategies that can help them achieve a living income. The event at the International Confectionary Fair (ISM) in Cologne marked the launch of GISCO’s two-year focus on “Inclusive Strategies for Living Incomes.”
The main objective of the event was to examine the achievement of living incomes from a gender equality perspective. GISCO members and guests discussed the challenges and responsibilities of all actors along the supply chain. The discussion highlighted why women cocoa farmers face different conditions than men and why gender-sensitive strategies are therefore necessary.
The following materials are available for download:
- The photo documentation of the event. (Only available in German)
- The press release. (Only available in German)
Virtual Event on 1 February 2022
As part of ISM, which took place in Cologne from 31 January to 2 February, GISCO hosted a virtual event on 1 February 2022 on the topic of “Enabling Environment: Incentives and Framework Conditions for Forest Conservation and Climate Action in the Cocoa Sector.” The aim was to identify the key actions needed to create an enabling environment for forest conservation and climate action in the cocoa sector, clarify responsibilities and outline next steps. To this end, the speakers presented existing efforts to create an enabling environment in cocoa-producing countries, provided recommendations and highlighted challenges.
Following opening and welcoming remarks by Chair of the Board Merit Buama and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Roselyn Fosuah Adjei (Forestry Commission Ghana), Robert Yapo Assamoi (Ministère des Eaux et Forêts Côte d’Ivoire) and Urszula Stepkowska (European Commission) presented the framework conditions and challenges in producing countries and the EU.
Members of GISCO, Andreas Ronken (Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co KG) and Carsten Simon (Mars Wrigley), as well as Bakary Traoré (IDEF), representing civil society in Côte d’Ivoire, then shared their views on the changes they would like to see in political framework conditions and policy-making processes with regard to forest conservation and climate action. They addressed their recommendations directly to political decision-makers.
Following an engaging question-and-answer session, the political representatives responded to the recommendations and suggestions from the private sector, civil society and participants. They outlined how these could be addressed and what responsibilities the various actors have in this process.
GISCO would like to thank all participants for their insightful contributions and the lively exchange!
The following materials are available for download:
ANUGA
Living Income in Cocoa and Coffee Supply Chains: Joint Exchange at ANUGA 2025
As part of ANUGA 2025, representatives from the cocoa and coffee sectors came together in Cologne to exchange views on strategies and approaches for promoting living incomes. The joint event organised by the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO) and the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains Initiative (SASI) was held under the title “Living Income in Cocoa & Coffee Supply Chains: From Global Strategies to Retail Practice”.
In his keynote speech, Bakary Traoré (IDEF) provided insights into the situation of cocoa cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire and highlighted their central role within the value chain. He called for ethical pre-financing, fair contractual conditions and stronger support structures to empower producers and strengthen trust between cooperatives and the trade sector.
The subsequent panel discussion brought together Charlotte Martin (International Cocoa Organization – ICCO), Miguel Zamora (International Coffee Organization – ICO), Laura Meisner (REWE Group), Benjamin Kouame (SCOOPS ECAM Yamoussoukro) and Bakary Traoré to discuss challenges and approaches to achieving living incomes in cocoa and coffee supply chains. There was broad agreement that fair value distribution, transparency and long-term partnerships are essential prerequisites for closing income gaps and strengthening resilience to climate change and price fluctuations.
Key takeaways from the event included:
- Achieving living incomes is a shared responsibility of governments, businesses and consumers.
- Voluntary measures alone are not sufficient. Appropriate policy frameworks and fair purchasing practices are needed.
- Cooperatives play a key role as a link between producers and the trade sector and require targeted support to secure sustainable livelihoods.
- Exchange and cooperation between the cocoa and coffee sectors offer great potential for mutual learning and joint progress.
Participants called for stronger joint commitment and an appropriate regulatory framework that supports sustainable prices and living incomes for cocoa and coffee farmers in the long term.
Special thanks go to all panellists and speakers, including Aldo Cristiano (GISCO), Ina von Frantzius (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development – BMZ) and Moritz Heldmann (SASI), as well as to all partners and participants for the valuable exchange. The reception that followed in the lounge of the German Association of the Food Retail Trade (BVLH) also provided an opportunity to continue the discussions in an informal setting.
Joint Event by the German Initiative on Sustainable Cococa and FONAP at ANUGA
Cross-sectoral learning in the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): More than 70 participants from industry, politics and civil society gathered in Cologne on 9 October to discuss deforestation-free cocoa and palm oil production.
The focus was on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), an important initiative by the European Union in the fight against deforestation and a major milestone for global forest protection. The regulation also aims to make an important contribution to addressing the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. For the first time, the GISCO and the Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP) jointly organised an event as part of the ANUGA trade fair. Stakeholders from cocoa and palm oil supply chains shared their experiences, discussed possible solutions and facilitated cross-sectoral learning.
Available for download:
Press release on the joint event (only available in German)
On 11 October 2021, the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO) hosted the event “Living Income and Child Labour free cocoa – What Follows from the EU Cocoa Talks?” as part of the General Food and Drink Trade Fair (ANUGA), from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm.
The aim of the event was to bring together and discuss the outcomes of the EU Cocoa Talks, particularly with regard to child labour and living income. Stakeholders from GISCO presented their conclusions from the EU Cocoa Talks in a series of keynote presentations. This was followed by a panel discussion addressing, among other topics, the role of political institutions both in Europe and in cocoa-producing countries, as well as their future cooperation.
A reception in the foyer of the event venue followed the discussion.
Available for download: