MISSION
Study
CASE STUDY
Grievance mechanism
YEAR
2023-2024
CLIENT
Feasibility study for a cross-company grievance mechanism in the cocoa sector in Côte d’Ivoire
01
Context
The German law on Corporate Due Diligence came into force in 2023. It requires German companies with more than 1,000 employees to meet certain “due diligence” obligations in their supply chains, to prevent or minimize human rights and environmental risks.
Section 8 of the German Act obliges companies to set up a grievance mechanism.
Additionally, GISCO members are committed to demanding compliance with human rights and environmental aspects in the cocoa supply chain, in particular through the respect of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
02
Approach
9-month feasibility study in consortium with Audace Institut Afrique to consolidate a human and environmental risk analysis inherent to the cocoa sector in Côte d’Ivoire (CI) and design a cross-company grievance mechanism.
Methodology based on documentation review, 30+ interviews with industry players, existing grievance mechanisms & technology solution providers and 4 field studies in 3 different regions of CI to represent a diversity of sociological contexts.
A participatory and iterative approach that allowed to co-design the mechanism and solicit feedback from all stakeholders of the cocoa value chain.
03
Key Takeaways
Key objectives of the proposed mechanism are:
– additionality to existing mechanisms: since village chiefs are the cornerstone of conflict resolution at the local level, we propose to strongly rely on them & favor amicable resolution ;
– complementarity with other grievance mechanisms (ex: at the cooperative level) ;
– relevance by guaranteeing a culturally-appropriate approach building on existing practices.
To ensure the mechanism is legitimate, trustworthy and efficient, it relies on prompt, gradual and efficient remediation by decentralizing conflict resolution, accessibility through multiple channels, predictability, anonymity, confidentiality & transparency.
Our report is publicly accessible here!