Côte d’Ivoire

Our impact

Context

In Côte d’Ivoire, agriculture remains a central pillar of the economy and rural livelihoods, particularly in the cocoa and cashew value chains. However, agricultural co-operatives face significant structural challenges, including vulnerability to climate change, pressure on natural resources, and limited access to climate-adapted technologies, markets, and financing. Rural women—despite their essential role in agricultural production—continue to face persistent inequalities in access to resources, participation in governance, and recognition of their economic contribution.

In this context, Socodevi builds on its recognized expertise in co-operative development to strengthen inclusive collective enterprises, improve the climate resilience of farming families, and promote women’s economic empowerment, in close collaboration with public and private stakeholders.

Objectives and expected results

  • Strengthen the climate resilience of agricultural co-operatives and member households, particularly in the cocoa and cashew sectors.
  • Increase the adoption of good agricultural and environmental practices through Socodevi Farmer Field Schools and access to climate adaptation technologies.
  • Strengthen the performance and governance of co-operative enterprises to deliver sustainable and competitive services to their members.
  • Promote gender equality by increasing women’s participation in economic, environmental, and co-operative decision-making.
  • Support women’s economic empowerment and leadership through training, literacy programs, and targeted support.
  • Improve the living conditions of rural families by promoting sustainable, inclusive, and income-generating agriculture.

Sectors of activity

  • Sustainable agriculture and agroforestry
  • Co-operative enterprise development
  • Gender equality and women’s empowerment
  • Environment and climate change
  • Agricultural risk management
  • Beekeeping and nurseries
  • Agricultural value chains: cocoa and cashew nuts

Results and impacts

Capacity building and sustainable practices

  • More than 90% of trained women and men have acquired knowledge of good environmental practices related to their economic activities.
  • 100% of women and men now have access to climate change adaptation technologies.
  • 1,525 producers trained through Socodevi Farmer Field Schools since 2018.
  • 914 soil samples collected and analyzed, and 1,374 individual technical assistance visits delivered.

Gender equality and women’s leadership

  • 75% of women members of FAHO (cocoa) and UCONAKO (cashew) co-operatives feel confident speaking in public.
  • 98% of women members of the UCONAKO co-operative participate in household economic and environmental decision-making.
  • 100% of women members of FAHO and UCONAKO co-operatives participate in general assemblies.
  • 66 women completed an advanced leadership and management training program.

Social empowerment and education

  • 1,792 members of 205 VSLA groups supported.
  • 2,148 people currently enrolled in literacy programs.
  • 883 girls supported through mentoring programs in safe spaces.

Testimonials

“After participating in Socodevi’s Farmer Field Schools, I will never again say I can’t because I am a woman.”

  • Mian Koko Jacqueline
    Member of the FAHO co-operative

“Socodevi’s Farmer Field Schools allowed me to adopt good agricultural practices. Thanks to these practices, I improved my productivity and the quality of my cocoa.”

  • Brou Kouamé
    Member of the FAHO co-operative

“Before, I worked alone and did not involve my wife in my activities. Since I started participating in Socodevi’s Farmer Field School trainings, I involve her in everything I do.”

  • Yéo Donassi
    Member of the UCONAKO co-operative

Projects in Côte d’Ivoire

IFCC

With the Women and Cocoa Communities Initiative (IFCC), we adopt a multisectoral and integrated approach that leverages the consortium’s expertise: socio-economic development through the cooperative model and education. This program supports women and girls from cocoa-producing communities so they can become agents of change in their communities. It aims in particular to improve the socio-economic […]
  • Funded by:
    Global Affairs Canada
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Partners

Funder and Financial Partners

  • Funder: Global Affairs Canada
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Contact

Côte d’Ivoire Office
1st Floor, Block 149, Lot 1556
Avenue Boga Doudou, Vallon – Deux Plateaux, Cocody
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
(+225) 07 89 24 54 39

Countries where we work

Senegal

For more than two decades, Socodevi has been working in the Casamance, Tambacounda, Thiès, Saint-Louis and Sine Saloum regions to strengthen climate resilience, professionalize economic enterprises (co-operatives, economic interest groups), and increase women’s economic empowerment. Interventions combine sustainable and climate-adaptive agricultural practices, Nature-based Solutions (ecosystem restoration and inclusive governance of natural resources), access to financial […]

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Morocco

In Morocco, Socodevi works in vulnerable rural regions where natural resources—particularly cedar forests and the rosemary value chain—play a central role in local economies, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation. However, forest co-operatives often remain weakly structured, with limited access to equipment, financing, and markets. Rural women face significant barriers to empowerment: limited access to […]

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Niger

In Niger, Socodevi has been working for over a decade to strengthen food security, women’s empowerment, and climate resilience. Interventions cover Tahoua, Niamey, Agadez, and six other rural regions, in partnership with national and international institutions. Projects aim to improve access to resources, food security, gender equality, and communities’ adaptive capacity in the face of […]

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