This endline evaluation assesses the two-year impact of the EnRoute programme, a partnership between ETG–Beyond Beans Foundation, Oxfam Novib, and KIT Institute. The programme set out to test practical, scalable approaches to closing the living income (LI) gap and reducing child labour (CL) among 599 farming households. 

The programme tested three intervention models among cocoa-farming households in Côte d’Ivoire’s Man and Daloa regions. Using a rigorous quasi-experimental design, the study compared outcomes from Cash Only transfers (EUR 400 + empowerment training), Services Only (farm support, VSLAs, financial training), and a Cash & Services package combining the first two services.

Key Findings

All three approaches produced measurable improvements in cocoa productivity, household income, and living income gaps, though through different pathways.

Cash Only

• Achieved the largest increase in cocoa production (+265 kg) and highest rise in total household income (+US$1,730)
• Delivered the greatest reduction in the living income gap (–US$1,882), pushing households slightly above the benchmark on average
• Strongly improved women’s empowerment and joint decision-making through very high uptake of EBDM training
• However, households became more dependent on cocoa as limited VSLA access constrained income diversification

Services Only

• Significantly boosted cocoa yields (+110 kg/ha) and lowered production costs, improving cocoa profits by nearly US$945
• VSLAs achieved very high uptake (94–98%), strengthening savings, access to finance, and long-term financial planning
• Reduced the living income gap by US$1,533, leaving households just below the benchmark
• Liquidity constraints persisted, limiting the ability to scale income-generating activities, particularly for women

Cash & Services

• Generated the widest range of positive outcomes, combining productivity gains (+120 kg/ha) and the strongest reductions in farm costs with notably high financial resilience
• Produced the largest improvements in economic diversification, with a 41-percentage-point increase in households operating small businesses—particularly women-led ventures
• Reduced the living income gap by US$1,388, creating the most balanced and sustainable pathway toward long-term resilience

The findings demonstrate that targeted, context-appropriate interventions can meaningfully advance living income and reduce child labour in cocoa-growing communities.