International Development Grant

Agroemprende Cacao

Project Number: CA-3-D004986001

Status: Operational

Country/Region:

Colombia 100.00%

Maximum Contribution: $19,500,000.00

Start Date: March 26, 2019

End Date: August 29, 2025

Duration: 6.4 years

Project Description

This project aims to create sustainable livelihood alternatives to illicit coca production by increasing the incomes of women and men smallholder farmers of cacao. It seeks to help 5 000 families expand new areas of climate resilient cacao crops as a substitute for illicit coca and become “agropreneurs” or entrepreneurs who use agriculture to build a business.Project activities include: (1) providing technical assistance to participating families to improve productivity and increase the quality of cacao crops; (2) providing training to cacao smallholders and cacao cooperatives to increase women empowerment and access to resources; and (3) establishing measures and policies improving the management and performances of cacao cooperatives. The project actively promotes women's empowerment and their participation in the cacao production by helping them access land titles addressing gender violence and building their leadership skills. The project actively promotes women's empowerment and their participation in the cacao production by helping them access land titles addressing gender violence and building their leadership skills. The project is leveraging co-financing from private sector companies to increase the total value of the project value of $36.6M.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved productivity and climate resilience of family-owned cacao farms in which women have better access and control over natural and economic resources; (2) increased profitability of cooperative enterprises in which women have an increased participation; and (3) improved entrepreneurial environment for the cocoa value chain favouring the participation of women.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of March 2023 include: (1) secured $20 million in co-financing from other organizations out of the $18.3 million target; (2) achieved a household productivity of 29% out of the 30% end-of project target; (3) adoption of a gender equality plan by all 40 associations; (4) 92.5% of associations reached a minimum of 30% women representation on decision bodies out of the 80% end of project target; (5) 60% of women supported demonstrated increased empowerment out of the 80% end-of project target; (6) managed 2 300 new and renovated hectares of cacao plantation under an Agroforestry System met the national standards out of the 3 300 hectares end-of-project target; (7) increased the volume of cacao sold to buyers through the Associations by 39% surpassing the 25% end-of-project target; (8) increased the Associations total sales by 60% surpassing the 20% end-of-project target; (9) improved productivity and climate resilience of family-owned cacao farms in which women have better access to and control over natural and economic resources; (10) increased profitability of cooperative enterprises in which women have an increased participation; and (11) improved business environment for the cacao value chain favouring the participation of women.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
SOCODEVI - Canadian Cooperation Society for International Development

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
NGM Americas

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Agricultural development 35%
Agricultural land resources 15%
Agricultural co-operatives 50%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 1 Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting)
Level 1 Climate change mitigation
Level 1 Climate Change Adaptation
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2018-04-01 to 2019-03-31 $19,500,000 CAD
Geographic Information
500
Project Number: CA-3-D004986001