Discourses on Transformative Change of the Cocoa Value Chain

This research aims to identify and analyse the diverse discourses, perceptions, and motivations shaping the European Union policy arena regarding food systems transformations in cocoa value chains. It further seeks to examine how these discourses influence the identification of leverage points and governance pathways for fostering transformative change towards biodiversity conservation and social equity. To address this objective, the study employs Discourse Analysis as a qualitative methodological approach grounded in social constructivism. Drawing on Hajer’s conceptualisation of discourse as ensembles of ideas, concepts, and practices through which meaning and power are produced and reproduced, the research explores both hegemonic and alternative discourses articulated by multilevel and multi actor stakeholders working in the cocoa value chain within the EU and Cameroon. Building on post structural perspectives on Discourse Analysis, we analyze how competing discourses struggle for dominance, shape policy priorities, and frame possibilities for action within the governance of agro food systems. By examining policy documents, institutional narratives, and stakeholders values, perceptions and motivations; the study investigates how power relations, values, and perceptions enable or constrain transformative change in cocoa value chain towards sustainability. The findings illuminate the challenges and opportunities for implementing effective leverage points and governance pathways that support biodiversity and equity, contributing to broader debates on sustainability transformations in global food systems and telecoupled value chains. Finally, by linking discourse analysis with theories of transformative change, this research assesses how different discourses on biodiversity and equity influence the possibility of transformation. We examine whether these discourses reinforce incremental change or create conditions for deeper structural shifts by shaping problem definitions, governance pathways, and leverage points for action at different governance levels within cocoa value chains.