[{"bbox": [72, 106, 580, 140], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION"}, {"bbox": [109, 169, 518, 202], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 3.1. Objectives and Expected Outputs"}, {"bbox": [72, 211, 1159, 266], "category": "Text", "text": "The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to help recover the economic dynamism, environmental sustainability and climate resilience of the cocoa value chain in Nicaragua."}, {"bbox": [72, 290, 545, 318], "category": "Text", "text": "The Specific Objective (Outcomes) of this action is"}, {"bbox": [147, 318, 1159, 399], "category": "List-item", "text": "1. To develop and transform the cocoa value chain in Nicaragua along quality and environmental standards, and climate resilience with the engagement of populations living in vulnerable situations, particularly women and youth (women and men) and indigenous and afro descendant communities in rural areas."}, {"bbox": [72, 423, 1096, 451], "category": "Text", "text": "The Outputs to be delivered by this action contributing to the corresponding Specific Objectives (Outcomes) are"}, {"bbox": [147, 451, 1159, 504], "category": "List-item", "text": "1.1 Strengthened capacities of small and medium cocoa producers' for environmental and climate sustainability and better productivity;"}, {"bbox": [147, 504, 1019, 531], "category": "List-item", "text": "1.2 Strengthened capacities for cocoa processing, circular economy and business management;"}, {"bbox": [147, 531, 1159, 585], "category": "List-item", "text": "1.3 Promotion of deforestation-free supply chains and product traceability system developed for smallholder producers."}, {"bbox": [72, 609, 1159, 664], "category": "Text", "text": "**Expected Output 1.1 Strengthened capacities of small and medium cocoa producers for environmental and climate sustainability and better productivity.**"}, {"bbox": [72, 688, 1161, 1061], "category": "Text", "text": "This component will seek to help recover and increase the production of cacao on plantations/farms in the short-term, while also seeking to have positive environmental, social (decent jobs) and nutritional impacts in the medium and long term. The restoration of cocoa plantations is an opportunity to establish multi strata diversified agroforestry arrangements, promoting biodiversity and the management of cocoa varieties adapted to changing climatic conditions. The action will promote the renovation of 3,900 hectares, distributed as follows: 2,900 hectares in Caribbean Coast communities and 1,000 hectares in Matagalpa, Jinotega and Rio San Juan. Based on PROCACAO's results, in the Caribbean Coast this renovation process has the potential to result in an increase of cocoa production from 716 metric tonnes up to 1,950 metric tonnes per year, and the capture of 61,740 tonnes of CO2 annually, and around 740,880 tonnes of CO2 in 12 years. This process is also a key opportunity to increase the density of cocoa plantations and improve the genetic varieties of plants and their resilience. Other potential activities include introducing climate-smart methods of cultivation and diversification, digitalization and green recovery. Decent jobs will be developed and sustained during the whole process. Finally, additional food/vegetable plants (such as plantain trees) may be introduced on cocoa plantations in order to promote more diverse and nutritious sources of food for home consumption. The baseline study should be a window for review and adjust these goals as needed."}, {"bbox": [72, 1086, 1091, 1114], "category": "Text", "text": "**Expected Output 1.2 Strengthened capacities for cocoa processing, circular economy and business management**"}, {"bbox": [72, 1139, 1161, 1459], "category": "Text", "text": "This component will support organizations that transform cocoa with artisan technology, to either increase their transformation capabilities and/or improve quality standards, alongside decent work conditions, by implementing a comprehensive value chain approach. In the North Caribbean Coast, there are around 54 cocoa organizations, in which women participate in several roles. Women's average participation on these organizations is around 40%. It will also support cocoa organizations in order to improve their transformation process, either for fermentation, chocolate and derivatives, by implementing the circular economy approach, promoting environmental and quality standards, and promoting green jobs and decent work for youth and women. Lessons learned from previous initiatives highlight the importance of also promoting good governance and administrative management in order to ensure sustainability. NICACAO will strengthen around 30 cocoa organizations in the Caribbean Coast Autonomous regions, and promote life skills education, administrative and financial management training, women's empowerment and nutritional education. A specific fund will be established to stimulate the production of improved artisan chocolate by female entrepreneurs. The baseline study should be a window for review and adjust these goals as needed."}, {"bbox": [72, 1483, 1161, 1539], "category": "Text", "text": "**Expected Output 1.3 Promotion of deforestation-free supply chains and product traceability system developed for smallholder producers**"}, {"bbox": [72, 1563, 1161, 1645], "category": "Text", "text": "Nicaragua's international market strategy is focused mainly on niche markets of fine or flavour cocoa; therefore traceability, residues and sanitary and phytosanitary standards, organic, global gap and fair-trade certification are fundamental for earning premiums. These include the forthcoming EU legislative measures to ensure products imported"}, {"bbox": [1051, 1663, 1159, 1687], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 9 of 22"}]