ABOUT IWCA INTERNATIONAL CHAPTERS

IWCA International Chapters include chapters organized in both consumer countries and producer countries. Both consumer country chapters (CCC's) and producer country chapters (PCC's) form independent organizations, following the laws of their own countries. These chapters are then invited to join the International Women's Coffee Alliance as member chapters, allowing them to work with IWCA resources to achieve common goals to promote and recognize women working in the coffee industry.

Consumer Country Chapters (CCC)

Consumer Country Chapters (CCC) are alliances of women in the coffee sector headquartered and working in consumer countries. Consumer countries, like the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan, are those in which a majority of local coffee industry activities are focused around those further along on the supply chain, such as importing, distributing, roasting, and retailing.

The following general and specific objectives have been defined for the CCC; however, each CCC may add to or adapt this list depending on the local context.

General Objectives
• Empower women in the consumer country coffee community to achieve meaningful and sustainable livelihoods in their communities.
• Connect with alliances of women in coffee producing countries.

Specific Objectives
• Create a global, regional, and national identity for the CCC in order to promote the IWCA. Also create a joint identity with other CCC’s.
• Develop, retain and expand active membership in the CCC.
• Promote women in coffee in their home country.
• Liaise with PCC’s to make cross-cultural and cross-production chain networks.
• Participate with PCC’s in joint projects and exchanges.
• Provide women from the CCC chapter with the tools and elements necessary to strengthen their participation in the coffee sector.

Producer Country Chapters (PCC)

Producer Country Chapters (PCC) are alliances of women in the coffee sector headquartered and working in producing countries, or in other words, in countries of origin. Origin countries are those in which a majority of local coffee industry activities are focused around the beginning of the supply chain, such as growing, producing, milling, exporting, etc. Countries within Central America, South America, Africa, and Indonesia are examples of producing countries.

The following general and specific objectives have been defined for PCC’s; however, each PCC may add to or adapt this list depending on the local context.

General Objectives
• Empower women in the origin country coffee community to achieve sustainable livelihoods in their communities.
• Connect with alliances of women in consuming countries.

Specific Objectives
• Create a global, regional and national identity for the PCC in order to promote the IWCA. Also create a joint identity with other PCC's.
• Develop, retain and expand active membership in the PCC.
• Promote women in coffee throughout their country.
• Liaise with CCC's to make cross-cultural and cross-production chain networks.
• Participate with CCC's in joint projects and exchanges.
• Provide women from the PCC with the tools and elements necessary to strengthen their participation in the coffee sector and give them a voice in their country’s coffee policies.

Please see the following pages for more information on existing chapters and becoming an international chapter. E-mail internationalrelations@womenincoffee.org with questions.