BEYOND THE BUZZ, BEYOND OURSELVES

Nowadays you can’t open a newspaper, surf the internet or scroll through social media without being inundated with terms like ‘sustainability’ or ‘impact’. These terms pop up all the time and have become real buzzwords, but what do they stand for, and when can we really speak of an impactful and sustainable partner- and entrepreneurship?

At the start of the EFICO Foundation, our intention was not only to change the quality of life of the coffee community, but also to create a meaningful framework for how we want to interact with suppliers, how to establish partnerships with a purpose, and how to create value in the supply chain. This goes beyond ourselves, it is an approach, it is a model, a framework. It is an obligation to ourselves and our partners.
Real change is something that is permanent, a (r)evolution that resets the default. And to really generate meaningful change and impact, you require time, critical reflection and continuous adjustment. And especially ‘courage’ to dare to look beyond what you could achieve on your own.

2 DECADES OF EFICO FOUNDATION 
2 FLAGSHIP PROJECTS AT A GLANCE

From those 2 decades, we want to highlight 2 projects.
For both, the first seeds were planted in 2003, they actually started a year later, and today these 2 projects bear witness to real meaningful change.

FLAGSHIP PROJECT 1 | COLOMBIA
KACHALÚ Original | Rainforest Alliance Organic 

purpose:

• promoting the region & the coffee farmers of Kachalú ​ -> give visibility and recognition to the region
• investing in the future of the farming community by giving them the support & opportunity to grow; giving small farmers access to the market and returning the surplus value to the farmers
• from small-scale farmers’ cooperative >> strengthening of the farmers’ organisation >> roots & wings
• source & commercialise Kachalú Original, a new coffee with a positive impact on the market

partnership:

• long-term partnership between FNC (National Coffee Growers Federation of Colombia), Collibri Foundation/Colruyt and EFICO Foundation/EFICO.
• Collibri Foundation/Colruyt and EFICO Foundation/EFICO focus on the empowerment of the next gen of coffee entrepreneurs.

facts & figures:

• In 1999, 14 coffee growers formed an association to produce more environmentally friendly coffee, calling themselves “Kachalú”, which means “hope” in the Santander region.
• EFICO was the first to purchase the coffee in 2003 with the intention of building a sustainable value chain. (then +/- 42,000 kg pergamino coffee = 2 containers, certified organic and in the process of Rainforest Alliance (RFA)
• since 2004, COLRUYT & EFICO have been working closely together to purchase this coffee and provide project management. Investments have been made to expand and grow the Kachalú producer groups, certify them ‘RFA’ and support quality education.
• Up to present, 5 projects supported by EFICO Foundation & Collibri Foundation, while in the same time purchasing of Kachalú  coffee increased.
• in 20 years they have increased their production twentyfold – they now supply the European and American market 
• the coffee is no longer only supplied to EFICO, but to various coffee traders and customers worldwide. EFICO was the first unique purchaser, and now has the sole privilege of purchasing the ‘Kachalú  Original’  (only available at EFICO!)
• ecological grown and one of the first organically certified coffees in Colombia

20Y of meaningful change:

Kachalú means ‘hope’. And there is certainly hope!

• the Kachalú region has expanded and more producers have joined.
• in 20 years they have increased their production twentyfold – they now supply the European and American market
• a new generation of coffee growers were trained on best practices for sustainable production and better management skills.
• a real bond created between partners and solid link established between sustainable production and consumption throughout the entire coffee supply chain.

Kachalú Journey

UN | Sustainable Development Goals

At EFICO, we strongly believe in the values of the United Nations Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals, to which we commit respectively since 2003 and 2016.

FLAGSHIP PROJECT COLOMBIA KACHALÚ contributes to following SDG’s

FLAGSHIP PROJECT 2 | GUATEMALA
Finca El Platanillo | Rainforest Alliance

purpose:

• strengthening of the farmers’ community by creating a foundation and a purposeful future for an entire community
• driving positive social and environmental change in a traditional family owned plantation

partnership:

• This second flagship project is the result of a sustainable and concrete approach by various partners: EFICO Foundation, ANACAFE, Rainforest Alliance, Cotesco, …

facts & figures:

• foundation of the Finca El Platanillo elementary school, including a computer center, health care, sports activities and playing field
  -> education became accessible to the children of this region                      -> the farm also became a ‘community center’, a multifunctional place where people meet, learn, exchange and connect.
• scholarships “Coffee Bachelor High School program” & training organized to empower women smallholder coffee producers and youth
• During the international competition Long Beach in May 2007, the Finca El Platanillo coffee was classified among the best Rainforest Alliance certified coffees in the world.
• in September 2011, Finca El Platanillo became the world’s first coffee farm to be Rainforest Alliance Verified as Climate Friendly. This was the result of 4 years of intensive research and field work of EFICO Foundation, ANACAFE, Rainforest Alliance, Cotesco and other partners
• Coffee Bachelor High School program won the 2017 SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) Sustainability Award 

20Y of meaningful change:

• Step-by-step (r)evolution based on local needs
• This flagship project also goes hand in hand with a commercial product >> which generates (more) prosperity for the farmers themselves
• Thanks to the support of the EFICO Foundation, Cotesco and its partners, a primary school was built, a PC center was established, and health care, sports activities and vegetable gardens (to improve nutrition) were introduced.
• Scholarships & training were organised to empower women and currently quality education and the use of technological devices are being promoted.
• Thanks to joint efforts of EFICO Foundation and Finca El Platanillo, the plantation and dry mill became Rainforest Alliance certified in 2005. 
• In September 2011, Finca Platanillo became the world’s first coffee farm to be Rainforest Alliance Verified as Climate Friendly. This is the result of 4 years of intensive research and field work of EFICO Foundation, ANACAFE, Rainforest Alliance, Cotesco and other partners.

El Platanillo Journey

PROJECT 1 – 2004: Rainforest Alliance certification for Finca El Platanillo
PROJECT 2 – 2004-2008: Building of the Finca El Platanillo elementary school
PROJECT 3 – 2009-2011: Promoting climate-friendly practices in coffee, Pilot Project
PROJECT 4 – 2011-2013: Computer center in the rural elementary school of El Platanillo
PROJECT 5 – 2014-2016: Education, food production gardens and wood efficient stoves for ‘El Platanillo’ coffee farming community
PROJECT 6 – 2017-2019: Scholarships, school maintenance, vegetable gardens and edible mushrooms for the ‘El Platanillo’ community
PROJECT 7 – 2018-2020: Knowledge transfer and quality education as a driver for women smallholder coffee producers and youth
PROJECT 8 – 2021-2023: Education and technology empowering youth

UN | Sustainable Development Goals

At EFICO, we strongly believe in the values of the United Nations Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals, to which we commit respectively since 2003 and 2016.

FLAGSHIP PROJECT  FINCA EL PLATANILLO contributes to folloxing SDG’s

COFFEE – GUATEMALA – El Platanillo
Rainforest Alliance

Source:

• Region: San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta, district San Marcos
• Altitude : 1,200 to 1,550 masl

• Platanillo is pleasant in the mouth with a well-balanced acidity. Good body and delicate light, fruity notes in aroma and taste.

2 DECADES OF INSIGHTS & LESSONS LEARNED
2 DECADES OF (R)EVOLUTION

No matter the type or model, you can bring ‘meaningful change’ to the coffee community. You can create concrete sustainable and future-oriented impact for the farmers and their community.
Although it is slowly but surely becoming the standard these days, it has been part of who we are and what we do for decades.
Luckily (and eventually), sustainability is about to get serious in the coffee industry too.

STAY TUNED FOR…
THE LAUNCH OF OUR NEXT FLAGSHIP PROJECT & COFFEE