AS CLIMATE change poses an existential threat to the country’s “chocolate capital,” a new generation of leaders is stepping up to rewrite the narrative.
Officially launched in Davao City on Jan. 23 until Jan. 25, “Cacao Futures: A Youth Co-Creation Fellowship” gathered young artists, journalists, and advocates to explore the future of the local cacao industry.
Davao City stands as a vital intersection of culture and agriculture, but increasingly erratic weather patterns now threaten the livelihoods of over 80,000 Filipino cacao farmers.
A global dialogue
The fellowship is an extension of the international discussions sparked by “Chocolates Melting Away,” a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Breech Asher Harani.
Produced in collaboration with One World Media, the Pulitzer Center, and the Financial Times , the film has been screened before world leaders at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome and during Bangkok Climate Action Week.
“Cacao Futures is about bringing that global dialogue back home,” said Harani, a Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree. “It’s about trusting young people to shape stories and ideas that honor farmers, protect the environment, and imagine a future where cacao can truly thrive.”
Collaborative Action Supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Impact Initiative, the program engaged participants from across media, agriculture, and the arts.
The fellowship featured expert speakers, including Cacao City president Wit Holganza and representatives from the Davao City Agriculturist Office, who shared nature-based solutions and climate-resilient farm “hacks”.
Over the course of the fellowship, participants focused on analyzing the vulnerabilities of the chocolate value chain, developing creative advocacy tools to elevate farmer narratives, and bridging the gap between art, media, and science.
The program culminated in the presentation of original youth-led projects, ranging from media campaigns to sustainable business concepts, all aimed at ensuring that Davao’s world-renowned chocolate industry remains resilient in a warming world.
