Summary
Sustainable Harvest, a Portland-based coffee importer, partnered with Coocentral, a cooperative of 4,000 farmers in Huila, Colombia, to strengthen its women’s empowerment program. Together, they facilitated six workshops across three communities of 20-30 women each, focusing on how they wanted to be represented to global coffee consumers. Using Speculative Futures tools, participants envisioned sustainable futures for their land amidst challenges like climate change and hydroelectric projects. The workshops emphasized the importance of amplifying women's voices in their communities and workplaces.
Impact
Program Improvements
Addressed gaps in the empowerment program, such as providing usable coffee toasters by ensuring proper infrastructure and Spanish-language instructions.
Representation
A female leader from "Café Mujeres" traveled to NYC for a coffee conference—the first woman supported by Coocentral to do so.
Education Initiatives
Introduced English-learning programs for office administrators and ongoing community town halls to address regional challenges collectively.
Community Engagement
Strengthened collaboration among women farmers to combat climate change and unify empowerment efforts.
New Collectives
Inspired the formation of "Agrocafem," a group of 30 women in Garzón that now collaborates with Berracas Café.
Berracas Café, coffee importer from Huila to Brooklyn was born!
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