ColaCao has long been more than just a cocoa drink—it’s a cherished part of growing up in Spain. For many, it evokes childhood mornings, family breakfasts, and a sense of comfort. It represents a belief that every child deserves a joyful, fearless childhood.
Unfortunately, not all children experience those carefree years. Bullying remains a widespread issue, undermining kids’ confidence, emotional well-being, and sense of belonging. The ColaCao Foundation was created to address this problem, building on the brand’s legacy to support childhood in a new, powerful way: by defending difference and celebrating uniqueness.
A nationwide study conducted by the Foundation in collaboration with Universidad Complutense de Madrid revealed some alarming statistics. Nearly two students per classroom in Spain have experienced bullying, and over 46% of these cases also involve cyberbullying. Even more troubling, 6.2% of children aged 9 to 16 report being bullied in the past two months alone—and one in three victims never tell anyone.
The leading cause? Physical appearance. Over half of the children who are bullied say it’s because of how they look. This highlights how body image and visible differences remain major reasons for exclusion—especially during formative school years. The most common settings for bullying are school playgrounds (57.8%) and classrooms (34.3%), pointing to the crucial role schools must play in prevention and intervention.
In response, the ColaCao Foundation launched Somos Únic@s (“We Are Unique”), a school-based programmme that uses participatory activities to promote empathy, respect, and inclusion. Its goal is to help children embrace who they are and learn to value others’ differences.
Education and awareness are central to the Foundation’s work. The data from its studies are made publicly available to support teachers, parents, and policymakers in designing better strategies to tackle bullying. But the Foundation goes beyond statistics—it knows that real change also requires emotional connection.
That’s why it also invests in storytelling. Two powerful audiovisual projects, La Caja de Arena and Las Caras del Bullying, aim to inspire through lived experiences. La Caja de Arena is a fictional series following six teenagers who face everyday challenges, including bullying. Their stories highlight resilience and personal growth.
Meanwhile, Las Caras del Bullying, a documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Hernán Zin, features well-known athletes like Olympic gymnast Ray Zapata and world badminton champion Carolina Marín. They share personal stories of being bullied and how sports helped them build confidence and overcome adversity.
By bringing these voices to the forefront, the ColaCao Foundation is shifting the narrative—encouraging victims to speak out, and helping society move from silence and stigma to understanding and support.
At Idilia Foods and the ColaCao Foundation, the commitment is clear: to help children grow up feeling safe, respected, and free to be themselves. Tackling bullying isn’t just about responding to incidents—it’s about creating a culture where empathy, kindness, and individuality are the norm.
We’ve made progress, but the work continues. With ongoing research, educational programs, and awareness campaigns, the ColaCao Foundation remains dedicated to its mission—because every child is unique, and that uniqueness should be celebrated.