Colombia – Coffee Alliances for the Expansion of Specialty Coffees (CAFES)

Leveraging resources from public-private partnerships to increase smallholders' incomes

ACDI/VOCA implements the 3-year, $5.8 million USAID-funded Coffee Alliances for the Expansion of Specialty Coffees (CAFES) program. Through the project, ACDI/VOCA develops networks of Colombian and international partners and collaborators and leverages resources from public-private partnerships to strengthen the specialty coffee value chain in Colombia and increase smallholders’ incomes. Through CAFES, ACDI/VOCA will strengthen the specialty coffee sector in Colombia and provide tools for the sector to become more competitive in the international market.

This project builds upon ACDI/VOCA’s previous Specialty Coffee Program (2002-2007), which was tremendously successful in providing smallholder coffee farmers with the skills and capacities needed to increase their incomes and connect to high-value markets.

CAFES provides assistance at key points along the specialty coffee value chain, focusing in particular on strengthening institutions that participate in the sector’s market activities and supporting coffee growers and their local organizations. ACDI/VOCA helps institutions upgrade capacity, carry out structural improvements and introduce sustainability in their routine activities. CAFES helps producers improve their income and sustainability through training in product quality maximization, productivity enhancement and commercialization techniques. This project represents the final stage in USAID’s contribution to improving all aspects of the Colombian specialty coffee sector.

The main objectives of the CAFES program are to

• increase competitiveness and sustainability of Colombian specialty coffee
• develop sustainability in environmental, social and economic sectors
• assist and strengthen Colombian institutions

For more information, contact Caroline Meltzer at cmeltzer@acdivoca.org.

Updated: 2/08

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