The declaration, signed by Melissa Duncan, executive director of Fairtrade International, and Jeroen Douglas, the Director General of ICA, has solidified the organisations’ commitment to work together to advance the principles of democracy, empowerment, economic prosperity and distribution, and the convergence of economic, social, and environmental components of development.

The announcement was made during ICA’s General Assembly held in New Delhi, India this week. Tone Cecilie Faugli, the CEO of Fairtrade Norway, together with Fairtrade Network of Asia & Pacific Producers CEO Erwin Novianto and Fairtrade certified cooperatives are participating in the event.

“We’re excited to launch this partnership with ICA as we embark on this shared opportunity to leverage our strengths and work together to build strong cooperatives that achieve better, fairer, and more dignified labour relations. Successful cooperatives are the lifeblood of Fairtrade and essential for sustainable global trade,” said Melissa Duncan, Fairtrade’s Executive Director.

“This declaration cements our joint efforts towards creating impactful change for cooperatives worldwide,” said Jeroen Douglas, Director General of ICA. “Together, ICA and Fairtrade International will drive forward initiatives that support cooperatives in their sustainable business case though fair pricing. Only a price tag on fair wages, clean water, gender inclusion and the pure air we breathe will transform our economy to the needs of communities.”

Fairtrade International and ICA, both EU Financial Framework Partnership Agencies, have had fruitful collaboration in the past on policy influencing, evidence gathering research, and the sharing of best practices focusing on the management of sustainable supply chains and people-centred business models. Advocacy work on cooperatives’ priorities include the EU Deforestation Regulation and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence directive. ICA and Fairtrade are also both members of the EU’s Global Gateway Dialogue Platform.

The partnership agreement will now facilitate closer co-operation between ICA and Fairtrade International on emerging areas of expertise needed, such as cooperative legal frameworks, agroecology, climate change, youth inclusion, gender equality, among others. It will contribute to strengthen both organisations’ work on promoting inclusive and sustainable cooperatives and their communities through wealth creation and redistribution, democracy, empowerment. It will also advance efforts towards an ever-increasing convergence between the economic, social, and environmental components of development.

Under the flagship of the UN International Year of Cooperatives, this partnership is expected to enable more cooperatives and their members to realise sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential, and decide on their future, given the growing risks and challenges they face.

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“Working on this project has been a highlight of this year so far. We are committed to the equality of the genders in this industry and believe that this auction will impact the lives of the female producers in Nicaragua. We can’t wait to see the auction results of these amazing coffees,” said Kathia Lopez Rosa, ACE auction manager.

The participation of women in the economy and social programmes has been highly active thanks to the Nicaraguan Government’s promotion of gender and family-focused politics. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021, Nicaragua ranks first in gender equality in all Latin America and 12th in the world; democratically establishing participation of Nicaraguan women and men, to create conditions that generate improvements in gender equity in areas such as education, health, employment, access and control to productive economic resources, eradication of violence and political participation.

Merling Presa Ramos, general manager of PRODECOOP expressed her enthusiasm to be part of the programme in Nicaragua, “We feel so proud to be part of the first auction in Nicaragua that will award the work of female producers in our country. We are grateful that CONATRADEC and ACE have given us this tool that will be empowering our producers.”

Agriculture is one of the fundamental pillars of the Nicaraguan economy, with coffee production as one of the main categories in the country’s exportations. Over 14,236 women are producers in this category, dedicating their efforts towards coffee production and plantation.  Women have been vital contributors, bringing innovation and creativity to their communities, cooperatives, and entrepreneurial economies. Through women’s leadership, Nicaragua has seen changes in cultural and social patterns for equality, which has, in turn, helped to empower more women.

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Sumac Warmi, which means “Beautiful Women” in the ancient Incan Quechua language, is part of the Union y Fe cooperative founded in 2014. Union y Fe continually distinguishes itself as a pioneering organization in Peru, offering top-quality coffees and innovative micro lots. Located in the Andes Mountains, Cajamarca’s high altitude and fertile soil contribute to the coffee’s quality, producing a sought-after, fair trade, organic micro lot.

“We developed ‘Coffee by 32 Women’ specifically to raise awareness about talented and dedicated women professionals in the coffee growing trade,” explained Mark Stell, founder and managing partner of Portland Coffee Roasters. “Purchasing this roast not only supports these growers, but also promotes gender equality in the coffee supply chain.”

Monica Terveer is the director of sales for Sustainable Harvest, Portland Coffee Roasters’ importing partner. Sustainable Harvest imports exquisite specialty coffees from around the world, using an innovative sourcing approach to disrupt commodity-driven trade. The company focuses on creating transparent relationships that increase value throughout the supply chain, all while fostering greater sustainability.

According to Terveer, women are the backbone of coffee production in Latin America, and “Coffee by 32 Women” helps them control their own futures. While women generally manage most of the labor of producing coffee, they are not always the legal owners of the land they work on, nor are they direct recipients of the income their families bring in from coffee.

“What makes women’s cooperatives, or women’s groups within cooperatives, so significant is that they put the power, and the money, into the hands of women,” said Terveer.

“When women are in control of their own coffee, it can provide a path toward autonomy in their decision making, oftentimes leading to the income from coffee being used in a way that brings greater benefit to their families and their communities.”

Several Sumac Warmi Growers.
Image courtesy of Portland Coffee Roasters.

“Coffee by 32 Women” is a Certified Fair Trade Organic light roast, medium-bodied coffee with notes of fig and honey. It is available now through 31 May 2020 and can be purchased online at PortlandCoffeeRoasters.com, which is currently offering a buy two, get one free promotion. In the Portland Metropolitan area, the coffee is also available in bulk at New Seasons Markets and in 12oz bags at select Fred Meyer stores.

To learn more about “Coffee by 32 Women” and the Sumac Warmi, with a video of their life story outlining the womens’ passion for quality and their future dreams, visit: PortlandCoffeeRoasters.com/empower.

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