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Felchlin wins the Swiss Ethics Award 2025

Our project «Healthcare in the Cacao-Origin Regions» has been honoured with the prestigious Swiss Ethics Award. This award recognises outstanding ethical achievements in business and is presented by the Swiss Excellence Forum to companies that take responsibility and exemplify sustainable corporate leadership.

The award confirms our long-standing commitment to sustainably improving the living conditions of cacao producers in origin countries.

Challenge: Healthcare costs as a factor of poverty

Name: UBIQ AG
Price range: $

In many cacao-origin countries, healthcare expenses are one of the main causes of poverty. Illness or accidents result in unforeseen costs or remain untreated, leading to severe health and economic consequences for affected individuals. Small-scale farmers often avoid medical visits due to fear of high costs – with serious repercussions.

Women are particularly affected, as they often have fewer financial resources in rural areas. High healthcare costs during pregnancy endanger not only them but also their children.

Our solution: Access to healthcare for cacao farmers and their families

Since 2021, Felchlin has been committed to improving healthcare in cacao-origin countries. In Ghana, Venezuela, and Ecuador, we enable cacao producers to access medical services.

Through our projects, we improve producers’ health, reduce poverty, and strengthen the economic stability of their families.

Our initiatives: Health insurance and medical support

With the support of our customers, we finance access to healthcare. Depending on the country and local conditions, this may include health and/or supplementary insurance, as well as medical treatments. This financial support protects families from unforeseen healthcare expenses and secures their economic existence.

In collaboration with our implementation partner Elucid, an NGO responsible for executing the projects on-site, we ensure that these initiatives are carried out effectively. However, the projects would not be possible without close cooperation with our local cacao partners.

Our local cacao partners are:

Ghana: Yayra Glover Ltd.
Ecuador: Cooperative Aprocane
Venezuela: Casa Franceschi
Madagascar: Sambirano SA

Overview of our projects

1. Akwaaba in Ghana

Project start: 2022

In Ghana, the project supports farming families by enrolling them in the national health insurance scheme and providing supplementary insurance for uncovered treatments. An emergency fund covers life-threatening illnesses and accidents. More info here.

2. Salud Sur del Lago in Venezuela

Project start: 2023

Venezuela suffers from economic and political instability, which has severely affected the national healthcare system. This project ensures that farmers have access to essential medicines and treatments that would otherwise be unavailable in rural areas. More info here.

3. Salud Esmeraldas in Ecuador

Project start: 2024

This project ensures that cacao farmers in Ecuador gain access to national health insurance and additional healthcare services, including emergency care and specialised maternity care. More info here.

4. Salama Mateza in Madagascar

Project period: 2021-2023

A pilot health insurance project in Madagascar has already benefited 2’899 people. In 2023, the project became financially independent and is now locally integrated. More info here.

Tangible improvements for families and communities

The implementation of these projects is already having a lasting impact on the lives of many families. Since the start of the program, 6'800 people have been enrolled in the healthcare program. 7'300 insurance cases have been successfully processed, and a total of 23'800 medical treatments have been provided and funded by the project (as of March 10, 2025).

A study conducted by the independent organisation «60 Decibels» on the Ghana project revealed impressive results: 91% of beneficiaries report better health and an improved quality of life. Additionally, 86% perceive the medical care as superior to before, while 65% save time on treatments, giving them more space for work and daily life. Most significantly, 87% would have had no alternative without the project. Encouragingly, women benefit disproportionately from improved healthcare (57%).

These figures represent real changes in the living conditions of people in the cacao-origin countries.

Ethical responsibility and sustainable impact

The project demonstrates that ethical responsibility and economic success are not mutually exclusive but rather reinforce each other in the long run. Continuous data collection enables us to measure the impact of our programmes and ensure their sustainability.

Felchlin is setting new standards for a transparent and fair supply chain – a model that other companies are now also adopting.

A sustainable model for the future

The «Healthcare in the Cacao-Origin Regions» project follows a long-term approach that not only protects against extreme poverty but also safeguards the health and well-being of cacao producers and their families. By providing access to healthcare, we establish the foundation for a decent standard of living that extends beyond mere survival.

The positive effects of these healthcare initiatives also contribute to preventing child labour and deforestation, as healthier families can continue their agricultural activities sustainably. Moreover, healthy workers increase productivity, leading to greater economic independence.

All of this empowers cacao farmers and their families to lead self-determined lives and take control of their own future.

The project would not be possible without the support of our customers, partners and sponsors. A big thank you to everyone who has supported this project from the very beginning!

Our Customers

Our Partners

Yayra Glover Ltd | Aprocane | Casa Franceschi | Sambirano

Our Supporters

Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa | SECO Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung | Elucid

About the Swiss Ethics Award

The Swiss Ethics Award was presented on 7 May 2025 at the KKL Lucerne as part of the Future Leadership Forum by the SWISS EXCELLENCE FORUM. Five Swiss companies from various industries were nominated – and we are proud that our commitment to healthcare in cacao-origin countries has been recognised.

For the eleventh time, the SWISS EXCELLENCE FORUM has honoured companies that address societal challenges with innovative solutions. This recognition is a valuable confirmation and motivation for us to continue advancing our commitment to a sustainable and fair cacao supply chain.