GODIVA, the global leader in premium chocolate, has become an Earthworm Foundation member. Our work together will begin with an initial six-month phase, focused on laying the foundation for implementing GODIVA’s Cocoa and Forest Initiative (CFI) commitment to protect forests and the rights of people linked with growing and harvesting the cocoa used in its products.

The CFI is led by the governments of Ghana and Ivory Coast - the two biggest cocoa producing countries in the world, along with many leading cocoa and chocolate companies, including GODIVA. CFI’s aim is to end deforestation and restore forest areas.

In the next six months, we will support GODIVA to draft and publish a cocoa position statement and improve traceability. The position statement will help GODIVA to clearly communicate its commitment and expectations related to sustainable cocoa. Then, the traceability work will provide a holistic view of where all cocoa in GODIVA products comes from so that a comprehensive approach can be taken to address any potential environmental or social issues in its supply chain. This work will be the foundation for GODIVA to support industry transformation

Additionally, GODIVA is supporting an Earthworm Foundation Rurality project in Soubré, a key cocoa producing region Ivory Coast. Find out more about this project.

“GODIVA is dedicated to our vision for a sustainable and thriving cocoa industry where farmers prosper, communities are empowered, human rights are respected, and the environment is conserved,” says Annie Young-Scrivner, CEO, GODIVA. “We are thrilled to partner with the Earthworm Foundation and support their incredibly crucial work to make value chains an engine of prosperity for communities and ecosystems.”

Earthworm Foundation has two decades of experience of transforming supply chains. Our work supporting cocoa businesses and government to protect forests around the world, and addressing human rights issues found within cocoa supply chains, began in 2013.

“We are excited to partner with GODIVA and believe that together we can help tackle cocoa-related deforestation in West Africa, which will also help create increased value for cocoa farmers,” says Bastien Sachet, CEO of the Earthworm Foundation. “During the first six months of our partnership, we look forward to collaborating to build the foundation needed to actively protect and regenerate forests.”

We look forward to sharing further updates on the progress of our work with Godiva. You can find out more about our cocoa work - https://www.earthworm.org/our-work/products/cocoa