Traceability and Resilience System for Sustainable Cocoa in Nigeria (TRACE Nigeria)

Implementing partner of the USDA-funded “TRACE” project 2023-2027 aiming at expanded access of the Nigeria Cocoa sector in competitive markets for trade.

The “TRACE” project, implemented by a Lutheran World Relief led consortium focusses on increasing agricultural productivity and climate smart agriculture in the cacao value chain and on expanding the trade in cacao supported by cacao traceability and value chain business development. Cocoa traceability consultant on the FY22 USDA food for progress Nigeria opportunity, 2022-ongoing. C-lever.org is the key partner for cocoa traceability while also contributing to cocoa value chain policy and business development.

Project start date: 01/06/2023 - Project end date: Ongoing​

Development, implementation and improvement of the GISCO (German Initiative for Sustainable Cocoa) Monitoring System in Harmonization with the monitoring systems of SWISSCO and Beyond Chocolate

• An appreciation of GISCO’s existing goal setting and monitoring instruments – design of an encompassing overview in theory of change format
• Design initial draft for holistic GISCO monitoring system at strategic/impact and at performance level
• Further design and implementation of GISCO’s monitoring system, including the harmonisation of indicators and MEAL (Monitoring-Evaluation-Accountability-Learning) concepts with the other European platforms for sustainable cocoa (SWISSCO, GISCO, Beyond Chocolate and DISCO) and other actors such as WCF 
  
• Preparation of pilot reporting by GISCO members on 2019 data, data analysis and production of the GISCO’s pilot Monitoring Report for 2019 data;
• Continuous improvement of harmonised (and GISCO-specific) indicators and of MEAL concepts for GISCO and other European platforms
• Preparation/organisation of data collection, data analysis, and production of the GISCO’s Annual Monitoring Reports for 2020 and for 2021.
• Follow-up assignment GISCO - Improvement of the ISCO Monitoring System and accompaniment of monitoring round 2023

Project start date: 01/05/2024 - Project end date: Ongoing​

​​Baseline / Mapping Study on Sustainability Practices in Cotton Farming in Mali and Côte d’Ivoire

Creation of a comprehensive baseline/mapping study and assessment, covering aspects of sustainability performance, practice adoption, and current farming methods among cotton farmers in Mali and Cote d’Ivoire.

Project start date: 16/04/2024 - Project end date: 25/08/2024​

Evaluation of available Traceability Systems in agricultural supply chains, Step-by-Step-Guide & Assessment Tool

• Evaluation of available Traceability Systems in agricultural supply chains, Step-by-Step-Guide & Assessment Tool
• Inception study and kick-off workshop;
• Identification of traceability solutions available on the market;
• Development of a concept of future-proof traceability in agricultural value chains;
• Development of a detailed list of requirements for traceability solutions;
• Development of a survey and an interactive platform for traceability solutions;
• Review and compare solutions available on the market and produce an overview and comparison report;
• Develop a high-level user guides/manual on implementing traceability systems in agricultural value chains;
• Develop more detailed guidance in the form of a FAQ on traceability in agricultural value chains;
• Updates of market analysis on traceability solutions.

Project start date: 15/03/2023 - Project end date: 31/01/2024

Support the business development team as the cocoa traceability consultant on the FY22 USDA food for progress Nigeria opportunity 

The program proposal focused on developing an economically viable, sustainable, and traceable cocoa sector in Nigeria. C-lever.org cocoa traceability system technical guidance and support the Corus design proposal team with the theory of change concerning designing and implementing traceability from farm/plot level to the port of exit and for innovative business models for intermediaries, due diligence capacity development and for third-party trustworthiness assurance of traceability data and value chain reporting.

Project start date: 01/03/2022 - Project end date: 01/04/2022

​​Design the Accountability, Monitoring and Evaluation (AME) Framework for the Beyond Chocolate Partnership and support its implementation 

Beyond Chocolate (BeyChoc) is the Partnership for a sustainable Belgian chocolate industry. Partners in the initiative are working to provide a living income for cocoa growers, end deforestation, foster decent work and stimulate education for future generations. C-lever.org was commissioned by IDH, the Secretariat for Beyond Chocolate, to:

• First draft, finetuning and improvement of the AME framework (comprising outcome and impact indicators as well as data components to monitor efforts and performance).
• Draft guidance for annual progress reporting, develop an initial basic tool for data collection, assist in validating and analysing reporting data and in drafting the first Beyond Chocolate Annual Report (2019)
• Supporting harmonisation of indicators and MEAL systems between the European platforms (GISCO, SWISSCO) and other initiatives (WCF) for sustainable cocoa supply and value chains.
• Draft Terms of Reference and support implementation a joint IT solution and reporting tool for the European platforms for sustainable cocoa
• Analysing 2020 data and support the drafting the second Beyond Chocolate Annual Report (for 2020)
• Ongoing strategic advice and implementation support to Beyond Chocolate 2020-2021

Project start date: 01/10/2019 - Project end date: 01/12/2021