• A Movement is launched and Market Transformation is visibly underway and the private sector is showing up with members progressively engaging their entire supply chains and planning on piloting the new charter’s assurance system in 2024 starting a profound movement.

 

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• Both expert discussion, research and field visits converge and confirm that the right incentives needed for farmers and local traders are often not about just “finance”, but enabling business “security” and “trust” that sustainability programmes will help secure increased livelihood and not just expose them in a context of very strong local competition and low level of formal and informal farmer group organization.

 

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• Community based enterprises need to take the centre stage. Organizations that make their business and livelihoods out of making sustainable coconut projects work will be the strongest asset for real sustainability, and these organizations might not exist before the project start, project developers need to be creative and the next generation will be attentive to truly empowering business models.

 

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• We are not ahead of the curve! Pre competitive action is most welcome. As the membership grows, so our ability to create the enabling conditions for everyone towards sustainability! Both our new deforestation and tree age monitoring initiative, the industry alignment around the Sustainable Coconut Charter or our upcoming progressive and inclusive assurance system & information sharing system are attracting new members who are taking advantage of these tools and approaches to meet their sustainability goals.

 

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• We are seeing an increased number of projects supporting farmers: 2023 was a year for preparing change, and judging by the new opportunities and desires for impact projects, it is safe to say the future will be brighter!

 

Grégory Bardies