Mars, Save the Children launch $3m program targeting 17,000 cocoa farmers, 60% women

23 / 07 / 2026

By Marwa Nassar - -

Mars and Save the Children Indonesia have launched a $3 million program to strengthen the resilience of cocoa-growing communities, expand women’s economic opportunities and improve child protection across five Indonesian provinces.

The Women R.I.S.E. (Resilient & Inclusive Systems for Empowerment) initiative will run for three years and directly engage more than 17,000 cocoa farmers in 115 villages across Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, West Sulawesi and Aceh. The program targets 60% female participation and is expected to directly benefit more than 8,000 children.

The program was officially launched in North Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, where activities will initially cover seven villages.

Building resilient communities:

Backed by a $3 million grant from the Mars Impact Fund, the initiative expands Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) as a platform for financial inclusion, women’s leadership, income diversification, climate-smart agriculture and stronger village governance.

Women R.I.S.E. is designed to help cocoa-growing communities tackle challenges including fluctuating agricultural productivity, limited access to financial services and the need for stronger local planning and resilience.

A key component of the initiative is the development of Community Action Plans, enabling communities to identify local priorities and lead long-term development efforts.

Community-led impact:

“True community resilience is built from the ground up,” said Isabel Dimitrov, Program Director of the Mars Impact Fund. “The Mars Impact Fund is proud to invest in tools that help cocoa-growing families diversify their income, protect their children and build a more secure, equitable future.”

Mutmainnah, Community Development Specialist at Mars, said the partnership aims to strengthen local governance and integrated village partnerships while helping cocoa-growing communities become more economically resilient and climate-ready.

Save the Children Indonesia said the expanded VSLA model will also promote positive parenting, family well-being and stronger child protection systems.

“By strengthening the VSLA platform, we aim to foster positive parenting, family well-being and a more robust child protection ecosystem within communities,” said Ihwana Mustafa, Senior Manager, Agriculture Portfolio Lead at Save the Children Indonesia. She added that the approach seeks to reduce child labor risks while creating greater leadership opportunities for women and young people.

The initiative has also received support from the North Kolaka regional government, which said it aligns with the region’s priorities for agricultural development and community well-being.