Photo: Johann Mandlberger with Oscar Maldonado in Waslala
Strengthen the managerial, technical and administrative capabilities of cocoa cooperatives to improve their access to the market.
There are 86 people directly involved (20 % women and 80 % men), indirectly involved there are 2320 people (15 % women and 85 % men).
Interior designer Johann Mandlberger began his career in Nicaragua, where he advised carpentry cooperatives. He then assisted organisations and companies in obtaining FSC certification and strengthening the value chains of various agroecological and agroforestry sectors.
The Advisor for Cocoa Cooperatives plays a pivotal role within the EU-financed NICACAO project, a collaborative initiative between horizont3000 and AECID aimed at transforming the cocoa value chain in Matagalpa and Waslala. The core mission of the assignment is to enhance the management, technical, and administrative capacities of 4 local cocoa cooperatives to secure better international market access. This is achieved by strengthening the methodological skills of technicians, improving cooperative infrastructure, and implementing robust traceability and early warning systems to meet rigorous global standards. A central focus of the Advisor’s work is the promotion of climate resilience and environmental quality, with a particular emphasis on integrating women and youth into the rural economy.On a functional level, the Advisor acts as a bridge between the AECID/NICACAO team and local partners, facilitating vital knowledge exchanges that strengthen the technical staff and promoters within the cooperatives. A major pillar of this support involves guiding cooperatives through the evolving regulatory landscape of the EU. The Advisor pioneered a 'productivity diagnosis' for 400 small-scale farmers, directing a digital data collection team to build a robust database. This empowers cooperatives to comply with new EU directives on traceability and certification—a requirement for high-value exports. Furthermore, the Advisor’s work in forming strategic alliances, specifically with major players like Ritter Sport, provides cooperatives with the necessary market alignment and resources to thrive in a competitive global environment. Beyond technical production, the Advisor deeply supports the social and administrative resilience of the cooperatives. By conducting gender analyses and developing specific action plans, the Advisor helps these organizations address systemic challenges regarding care work and economic inclusion for women and youth. Through the constant refinement of monitoring systems and the promotion of climate-resilient options, the Advisor ensures that the cooperatives are not just project participants, but sustainable, transparent, and professionally managed entities capable of securing long-term livelihoods for their members.
