The first 106 Ateneas graduated. Women cocoa farmers graduated from the first module of the program.
Published April 2024

106 Colombian women cocoa farmers graduated from the first module of the Atenea Program: Women who Transcend.

In June 2023, our Cordillera brand launched its Sustainability Program, Atenea Women who Transcend, with the support of the Purchases and Agricultural Development team, SENA and the Canadian organization Développement International Desjardins (DID); bringing to life the brand’s purpose: “to make the world a more just and sustainable place, by giving all the hands that touch our chocolate, possibilities to transcend”.

This program is focused on skills development in: Entrepreneurship, Women’s Leadership and Financial Education for Rural Women. The modules are inspired by five Sustainable Development Goals: End Poverty, Gender Equality, Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Strategic Partnerships to Achieve Goals.

On December 6, the first 106 Ateneas graduated. They came from six cocoa associations in the Uraba Antioqueño region, and they all took part in the first training module called: “Entrepreneurship in the processing of chocolate products”. This project was possible in alliance with SENA and our Cordillera Chefs, who traveled to the territory to give workshops on the application of chocolate in confectionery, bakery and pastry making.

Today we are celebrating early achievements: 92% attendance rate of women cocoa farmers in the program; the creation of the first enterprises with chocolate products; participation in trade fairs; as well as impact indicators related to attitudinal changes, female empowerment and the incorporation of new knowledge into the daily lives of rural women in their families and communities.

During 2024, we will continue to move forward with modules 2 and 3 of the program, focused on financial education, leadership and women’s empowerment.