Abidjan – A new multi-stakeholder programme aimed at protecting children in cocoa-growing communities has been launched in the Ivory Coast. The initiative involves the Italian Cooperation, Save the Children, and Ferrero, and will run until 2030 in the Haut Sassandra region and the Montagnes district. The project, presented in Abidjan during a mission by the Italian Cooperation in West Africa, builds on a programme initiated in 2017 with the support of Ferrero. Thanks to funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and contributions from the company, the initiative will have nearly €20 million at its disposal. Its aim is to reduce risks and address the root causes of child labour, promoting rights, education, health, and sustainable development. The project adopts a holistic approach, involving institutions, businesses, and civil society to strengthen resilient and sustainable communities, integrating child protection into the production chain. “Change comes from transformative and lasting alliances,” said Daniela Fatarella, Director General of Save the Children. Isabel Hochgesand, Chief Procurement Officer at Ferrero, emphasised: “We are working towards a transparent, inclusive, and sustainable supply chain, capable of generating real impact for both communities and business.”