Project Overview
Switzerland is required to integrate the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Supply Chains (EUDR) into its national legislation. While this regulation is designed to strengthen sustainability, it poses risks for smallholders producing commodities such as cocoa, whose access to European markets may be reduced by stricter requirements. Yet this challenge also presents an opportunity for Swiss policymakers to design legislation that is both EUDR-compliant and supportive of mechanisms that help smallholders overcome these barriers.
This project was developed to ensure that smallholder perspectives are actively included in Switzerland's policy debate on the EUDR. Through a combination of literature review, key informant interviews with smallholder representatives in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, and focus group discussions with Swiss policymakers, the project has created an evidence base and platform for advocacy. Importantly, it also provided opportunities for two MSc students from African universities to contribute to this work by conducting field research, strengthening academic exchange and building future leadership capacity.
Project Goal
The project's overall objective is to identify enabling mechanisms that Swiss policymakers could adopt to make EUDR implementation more smallholder-friendly. In doing so, it is helping to strengthen policy dialogue platforms, document the perspectives of smallholder representatives, and synthesize actionable recommendations for inclusive legislation. At the same time, it enhances the capacity of young African scholars as agents of change for sustainable development, ensuring the voices of smallholders are heard in shaping future trade policies.
Project Information
AFF Programme Areas
AFF Enablers
Target Groups
Global & Continental Alignment
- UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Paris Agreement on Climate Change
- UNFCCC REDD+ Mechanism
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
- Global Forest Goals (UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030)
Project Manager
Resources
Time for change: Recommendations for action during the proposed EUDR postponement
Policy recommendations and strategic actions for the EUDR postponement period
Community of Practice
Facilitating Advocacy for Smallholders in Swiss Policy Debate
Community of Practice
Join our community of practice focused on facilitating advocacy for smallholders within Swiss policy debates on the EUDR. This platform brings together stakeholders working to amplify smallholder voices and ensure their perspectives are integrated into policy discussions and decision-making processes.