A consortium of private sector and non-profit partners, members of the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO), has initiated a feasibility study to implement a cross-company grievance mechanism in Côte d'Ivoire’s cocoa sector.

This project, funded by the BMZ through the Due Diligence Fund and supported by the Foundation of the German Cocoa and Chocolate Industry, aligns with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and relevant European supply chain legislation. The objective is to create an accessible grievance system for cocoa producers to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed effectively. The next step will involve engaging key private sector partners to pilot the mechanism, marking a meaningful move toward fairer and more responsible cocoa supply chains.

Since January 2023, Germany's Corporate Due Diligence Act mandates large companies to ensure human rights and environmental standards in their supply chains, adding new responsibilities for the cocoa sector. A recent feasibility study outlines how companies might adapt their approach to human rights and environmental issues in Côte d'Ivoire’s cocoa supply chain. Commissioned by the Due Diligence Fund and GISCO members, the study, conducted by RISOME and Audace Institut Afrique (AIA), sets a foundation for coordinated efforts within the cocoa industry to implement an effective grievance mechanism accessible to local rightsholders. This initiative highlights the advantages of collaboration and stakeholder engagement in crafting efficient solutions beneficial to both local rightsholders and companies, thereby supporting the establishment of rigorous due diligence systems.

The proposed system merges Côte d'Ivoire’s traditional conflict resolution practices—particularly the role of village chiefs—with structured grievance reporting procedures. This hybrid approach allows for efficient resolution of complaints at the local level, with escalation for severe cases as needed. Farmers will have multiple access points to the grievance mechanism, including village representatives, digital platforms, or cooperative channels, ensuring confidentiality for complainants. The mechanism’s core principles are transparency, cultural sensitivity, and predictability, with clear steps and timelines to keep complainants informed. A 24-month pilot project in five villages in Côte d'Ivoire will test this approach, assessing effectiveness and adaptability before broader rollout across the cocoa industry.