EMPOWER Programme Concludes in Sulawesi, StC and Cargill Honour Three Partner Organisations
Save the Children (StC) together with Cargill presented certificates of appreciation to three partner organisations implementing the EMPOWER Programme: Yayasan Panorama Alam Lestari (YPAL), Lembaga Pemberdayaan Perempuan (LPP), and Yayasan Wajo.
The awards were given in recognition of their contribution and commitment to the successful implementation of the EMPOWER Programme in the Sulawesi region.
The certificate presentation took place during the EMPOWER Programme Learning Workshop titled “Building a Sustainable Cocoa Future: Cross-Sector Synergy for Child Protection and Community Empowerment in Sulawesi”, held at a hotel in Palu on Thursday (20/8).
The event was attended by the Governor of Central Sulawesi, represented by the Head of the Central Sulawesi Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Agency (DP3A), representatives from the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Bappenas, the provincial governments of Central Sulawesi and South Sulawesi, the district governments of Poso, Bone, Soppeng, and Wajo, as well as civil society organisations, cocoa supply chain actors, and various other stakeholders.
Director of Humanitarian and Programme Operations at Save the Children Indonesia, Fadli Usman, said the EMPOWER Programme was designed to address the issue of child labour in cocoa-producing communities through an approach involving multiple parties.
“The EMPOWER Programme aims to tackle child labour in cocoa-producing communities through strengthening community-based child protection systems, supporting livelihoods, and empowering women and youth,” said Fadli.
According to him, the success of the programme’s implementation could not be separated from the support of local partners who have played an active role in assisting communities in the target areas. Therefore, the presentation of appreciation certificates served as recognition of the collaboration that has been established as well as motivation to continue strengthening child protection efforts and community empowerment.
Fadli added that the learning workshop served as a platform to share various achievements, good practices, and lessons learned during the implementation of the EMPOWER Programme.
In addition, the activity also aimed to strengthen the commitment of all stakeholders in maintaining the sustainability of community-based child protection systems in cocoa production centre areas.
Through this forum, participants also discussed the importance of cross-sector synergy in creating a sustainable cocoa supply chain, free from child labour, while also improving the welfare of farming families through economic strengthening, women’s empowerment, and youth engagement.
Save the Children and Cargill hope that the collaboration built with the government, civil society organisations, the business sector, and local communities can continue to be strengthened so that the benefits of the EMPOWER Programme can be sustained and have a positive impact on child protection and the development of cocoa-producing communities in Sulawesi.