As part of its activities to assess and monitor labor standards and worker welfare for its members, the Fair Labor Association (FLA) conducted a social impact assessment on the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) programs of Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) and its partners in its Côte d’Ivoire cocoa supply chain. Six VSLAs in three communities of three cocoa-supplying cooperatives were evaluated based on economic empowerment of the beneficiaries, the gender relations, and the reduction of child labor in the households of the beneficiaries. The data collected from the members of the VSLAs highlighted the functioning of the program and its impact on the beneficiaries and their households.
In the absence of a baseline study and key performance indicators, a complementary survey of women not enrolled in the programs was used as a counterfactual to evaluate the program’s impact and changes in beneficiaries’ socioeconomic situations. Data was collected from October 30 to November 16, 2022. A total of 219 individuals participated in the assessment interviews and questionnaire.