In the lush cacao-growing region of Córdoba, Colombia, a quiet revolution is taking place—one that could reshape the future of the country’s cocoa industry. With its second cohort now underway, Chocolate Cordillera’s Atenea: Women Who Transcend programme is proving to be more than just a training course. It’s a movement.
Launched by Compañía Nacional de Chocolates (Grupo Nutresa) in June 2023 through its sustainable B2B chocolate brand Cordillera, Atenea is building a new model for inclusive agribusiness—where female farmers lead with confidence, competence, and commercial savvy.
It’s a programme that this writer has followed and reported on closely for a previous company when he was invited to the initial ceremony in Antioquia, Colombia, and advised on media strategy.
“In Córdoba, we’ve discovered extraordinary women with natural leadership and a passion for agriculture,” said Alejandro Gil Aguirre, Director of Agricultural Purchasing and Development at CNCH. “Empowering them is a strategic investment in the future of Colombia’s cacao industry.”
From Farm Labourers to Agribusiness Leaders
Now in its second year, Atenea welcomes 120 women from four local cacao associations for an intensive training programme that spans over 300 hours. The curriculum is built around four transformative modules:
- Entrepreneurship in Chocolate & Cacao Processing
- Financial Education for Rural Women
- Leadership and Women’s Empowerment
- Sustainable Agronomic Management of Cacao
Delivered in partnership with Colombia’s national training institute SENA and the Government of Córdoba, the programme equips women with the skills to not only manage farms more efficiently but to become entrepreneurs in their own right.
The 2023 pilot cohort in Antioquia demonstrated what’s possible: in under a year, 101 women launched 11 small businesses—from artisanal baked goods to premium hot chocolate.
A Model with Global Resonance
The impact of Atenea reflects a broader shift across the global cocoa landscape toward gender-inclusive value chains. Similar initiatives—such as Nestlé’s Income Accelerator and Mondelēz’s Cocoa Life—show that when women gain access to training, finance, and leadership roles, entire communities thrive.
“When a rural woman thrives, an entire community is uplifted,” said Natalie Quintero Zuluaga, Global B2B Marketing Director at Cordillera. “Atenea isn’t just training—it’s a catalyst for generational change.”
Across cocoa origins from Ghana to Indonesia, data support this idea. Women involved in empowerment programmes are more likely to participate in decision-making, diversify household income, and adopt climate-resilient farming techniques.
Why This Matters
Programmes like Atenea don’t just teach—they transform. They empower women to reclaim agency, participate meaningfully in markets, and design better futures for their families and communities.
What’s Next for Atenea and Beyond?
Cordillera’s leadership hopes to scale the programme further across Colombia’s cacao-growing regions and inspire similar models abroad. With international recognition already under its belt—Cordillera was honoured by the UN’s One Planet network in 2021—the brand is positioning itself not only as a sustainable chocolate supplier but as a changemaker.
As multinational buyers, chocolatiers, and impact investors look to align with purpose-driven supply chains, Atenea provides a compelling proof of concept.
CocoaRadar view
Training alone isn’t enough—it must be rooted in trust, community, and practical impact. Programmes like Atenea show that when female cocoa farmers are given the tools, they don’t just survive—they lead.
From the soil of Córdoba rises a new generation of women who transcend - and the world is taking notice.
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