This initiative is backed by Chocolate Cordillera's parent company, Compañía Nacional de Chocolates (CNC), (part of Grupo Nutresa) to develop a cocoa sector that provides more excellent opportunities for rural women and their communities. Through its stories and successes, it will inspires other cocoa-growing communities worldwide.
Since it was established over 100 years ago, CNC's reputation has been built on creating a sustainable, prosperous, fair, equitable, and inclusive cocoa culture in Colombia.
The impact of Chocolate Cordillera's ATENEA sustainability programme can be measured by the follow-up results, which led to 10 female graduates launching their successful microbusinesses at a prestigious trade show last year in Colombia.
The ATENEA entrepreneurs developed their businesses around transforming the cocoa bean into consumable products. They created brands with diverse portfolios, launching at Chocoshow in Bogota.
By transforming their roles from cocoa producers to entrepreneurs running their micro-businesses and, in the case of Idalí Gallego, moving into a leadership role in her cocoa association, the women embody this unique sustainability programme.
Watch: Cocoa Farmer Yudis Torrez explains the benefits of the ATENEA programme
About ATENEA: 'Women Who Transcend'
The ATENEA programme was launched in June 2023 in Urabá, Antioquia, one of Colombia's main cocoa-growing areas. Its goal is to empower female cocoa farmers to achieve economic autonomy and an inclusive and equitable role for women in the cocoa sector.
Its primary purpose is to build capacities among women cocoa farmers through training in empowerment and female leadership, entrepreneurship in chocolate product processing, and financial education. This initiative fosters a fairer, more equitable, and inclusive value chain, contributing to a more prosperous and dynamic cocoa sector.
It is based on four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Poverty Free
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Partnerships for the Goals
Sixteen months later, 100 women cocoa farmers graduated and completed their transformative journey to become independent entrepreneurs.
Ten have already set up their businesses, which they launched at Bogota's prestigious Chocoshow trade fair, including:
CHOCOABIBE - cocoa infusions, cocoa cookies, hot chocolate
URACAO - cocoa nibs with sugarcane and ginger, semisweet chocolate with pineapple, hot chocolate
AROMARY - cocoa nibs with passion fruit, hot chocolate
ISANI - cocoa nibs with sugar cane and ginger, semisweet chocolate with pineapple, hot chocolate
CHOCAO - hot chocolate
ISIDORA - Lemon Cookies, hot chocolate
NATURALS CAPACHO - Upcycling Cocoa and Coconut jewelry and ornaments
Cordillera B2B sustainability manager Jorge Leon says, "Through Atenea, we have witnessed the transformation of over 100 Colombian female cocoa farmers. By embracing self-recognition, resilience, and empowerment, they have flourished and actively contributed to developing Colombia's strong and prosperous cocoa sector. They have assumed leadership roles in their cocoa associations and created new rural ventures.
Anthony Myers
"These initiatives create a positive and prosperous future for their families and strengthen their communities and the cocoa sector. Additionally, by transforming cocoa into innovative, high-value products, they diversify their incomes and foster sustainable growth for Colombia's cocoa sector."
To be continued
Leon confirms that the ATENEA programme will continue and be led by Compañía Nacional de Chocolates (Cordillera's parent company) with the support of DID Dejardins and SENA (Colombia's National Service of Education).
The programme has scored proven outcomes and equips participants (mainly female cocoa farmers) with the tools and knowledge to build and manage their businesses, transforming their role from producers to entrepreneurs and leaders in the cocoa sector.
These women are not only mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters—they are now business owners, driving progress and cultivating both cocoa and their personal ambitions.
Cocoa farmer Dina Luz Lozano Ribas says, "I learned how to keep proper accounts, to know how much I invested and earned … I loved the cultural insights we were given."
Graduate Blanca Nubia Tuberquia says the programme had been a 'game changer' because it gave her the tools to build a stable future. They taught me how to save, open a bank account, and take out a loan," she said.
With a clear vision of her future, Blanca now aspires to run a successful business, creating jobs and ensuring financial stability for her family.
Edis Yamil Eduarte González says her priority is investing in the future. The training has allowed her to reinvest in her home and set bigger goals for herself and her family. "I'd love to expand my house, travel to new countries, and try different foods," she said.
With her husband and daughter by her side, Edis has learned how to generate profits from her investments, strengthening her family's financial stability and unlocking new possibilities.
Hard work and dedication
Chocolate Cordillera says: "We recognize the hands behind every piece of chocolate we produce. We are proud to support these stories of hard work and dedication and are committed to sustainable practices in Colombian cocoa farming.
"Together, we are building a fairer, more sustainable future—one where each piece of chocolate represents the collaboration, passion, and resilience of the people who make it possible."
- Compañía Nacional de Chocolates, which owns Cordillera, is both sponsoring and speaking at the World Cocoa Foundation’s 2025 Partnership Meeting, which takes place in São Paulo, Brazil on 19 – 20 March
- Early Bird Price tickets are available until 20 January
- CocoaRadar is the exclusive official media partner for the event