Honoring Women in Coffee: Caribou Coffee & IWCA Partner for Impact

Amy’s Blend is more than just coffee—it’s a legacy. In honor of Caribou Coffee’s original roastmaster, Amy Erickson, this special blend supports women in coffee-growing communities. From March 6 – June 4, 2025, Caribou Coffee will donate $1 per bag sold (up to $50,000) to the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA), with funds directly benefiting women in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Learn how this collaboration is making a difference and empowering women across the coffee value chain.

Read the full story and see how your purchase supports women in coffee.

Empowering Women in Coffee at AFCA 2025

The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) was honored to participate in the AFCA 2025 Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where we connected with industry leaders, shared stories of resilience, and advanced conversations on gender equity in coffee. From engaging discussions at our IWCA booth to a powerful Breakfast Fundraiser, the event reinforced the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful change.

Read more about the inspiring moments, key takeaways, and how your support continues to fuel opportunities for women across the global coffee supply chain.

In January 2025, IWCA chapters from across the world gathered in Florence, Italy, for a transformative two-day event focused on collaboration, leadership, and strengthening women's roles in the coffee industry. Hosted at the Accademia del Caffè Espresso, the encounter featured thought-provoking discussions, chapter presentations, and hands-on workshops, fostering meaningful connections and actionable strategies for the future. This milestone event set the foundation for continued growth and global impact.

IWCA Board Meeting in Guatemala: Strengthening Our Global Vision

The IWCA Board gathered in Guatemala for a pivotal meeting focused on strategic growth, collaboration, and impact across our global network. From advancing fundraising initiatives to strengthening chapter support, this meeting reinforced our commitment to empowering women in coffee.

Read more about the key takeaways and how IWCA is shaping the future of the industry.

The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) proudly welcomes four dynamic leaders to our Board of Directors! Their expertise in coffee marketing, sustainability, nonprofit leadership, and global advocacy will strengthen our mission to empower women across the coffee industry.

✨ Meet Our New Board Members:

• Anke Erichsen – Coffee marketing and branding expert, specializing in specialty coffee and sustainability.

• Mbula Musau – Founder of Utake Coffee Limited, Q Instructor, and advocate for gender equity and youth empowerment in Africa.

• Noelia Villalobos – Executive Director of SCACR and Sintercafé, fostering industry collaboration and growth.

• Laura Brown – COO of Andean Health & Development, bringing expertise in nonprofit leadership and capacity-building.

With their leadership, IWCA will continue to expand education, market access, and collaboration opportunities for women in coffee worldwide.

The IWCA South Korea Chapter hosted an inspiring IWCA International Summit during the Seoul Cafe Show, bringing together global chapter members, industry leaders, and coffee enthusiasts for an afternoon of connection, learning, and collaboration. From thought-provoking guest presentations to an exclusive IWCA cupping session featuring coffees from Brazil, Ethiopia, Burundi, Honduras, and Kenya, this event showcased the power of women in coffee. Read more about the highlights and key takeaways from this incredible gathering!

IWCA was honored to join the Swiss Coffee Trade Association (SCTA) Forum in Basel, an exclusive gathering of 900 industry leaders shaping the future of coffee. From EUDR compliance to sustainability initiatives, we engaged in key discussions that impact coffee producers worldwide. Our presence at this high-level event highlights IWCA’s growing influence in the global coffee trade.

Read more about our participation and the critical conversations driving industry change.

IWCA Honduras at the 1st CELAC Coffee Summit!

The IWCA Honduras Chapter played a pivotal role in the first-ever Coffee Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), showcasing the contributions of women in the Honduran coffee sector. This landmark event brought together leaders from 33 member countries, industry experts, and key organizations to discuss the future of sustainable coffee farming, market development, and gender inclusion.

Read more about how IWCA Honduras is making an impact on the global coffee stage!

New Resource Available: Microfinance Management Training Manual

Empowering women through financial education! 🌍☕ The Microfinance Management Training Manual is now available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French—providing essential tools for women entrepreneurs to access microcredit, build sustainable businesses, and achieve economic independence.

This practical guide offers a solidarity-based approach to microfinance, equipping women with the knowledge to manage loans, set pricing strategies, and strengthen their financial skills. With proven success in multiple countries, this manual is more than just a resource—it’s a pathway to empowerment.

"Grounds For Change" is an award-winning documentary that captures the inspiring efforts of Olga Hazard and the IWCA Guatemala chapter in advancing women's roles within the local coffee industry. Produced by film students from Northern Kentucky University, the documentary provides a compelling look at how innovative leadership and community collaboration can foster sustainability and gender equity in coffee production. Highlighting the unique challenges and triumphs of Guatemalan coffee farmers, this film is a testament to the power of empowerment and education in transforming industries globally.

The FAO, in partnership with key organizations, is launching a transformative initiative to support rural women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability in Honduras, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. This program aligns with global efforts to advance gender equality and climate resilience, equipping women with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in agriculture.

Learn how this initiative is shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future!

Discover how the IWCA Guatemala Chapter is pioneering change in the coffee industry through its influential participation in CAFEX. The chapter led pivotal workshops and collaborated with key industry figures, highlighting the crucial role of women in driving sustainable coffee production. This coverage examines their strategic efforts to empower women, showcase their talents, and foster vital networks, underscoring the importance of integrating women's perspectives in evolving a resilient and equitable coffee industry.

In a remarkable display of international collaboration, the IWCA Uganda Chapter and Rwashoscco Coop of Rwanda, along with partners Kaffee Coop of Germany and Zicofe Ltd, have launched "Die Kaffee," a unique blend supporting women and youth in the coffee industry. This initiative, which involved a field visit to Uganda, highlights the power of global partnerships in enhancing the coffee value chain. Read the full story to see how these organizations are making a tangible impact.

We are excited to announce the Vital Impact Fund, an initiative by the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA). This fund strategically channels resources to empower women throughout the coffee value chain, focusing on areas that maximize impact and foster sustainability. Inspired by the dedication of IWCA co-founder Melissa Pugash and supported by community contributions, the Vital Impact Fund tackles crucial challenges like climate resilience and gender equity in the coffee industry. Learn how each donation enhances the lives and economic stability of women in coffee-producing communities worldwide.

IWCA iss proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of our Rwandan Chapter members who secured 1st place at the 2024 Best of Rwanda Specialty Coffee competition. This prestigious award, supported by the National Agricultural Export Development Board and CEPAR, highlights the excellence of Rwandan coffee and the dedicated efforts of smallholder farmers. Delve into the story of how tradition and innovation came together to produce an exceptional Red Bourbon coffee that captured the hearts and palates of judges at this celebrated event.

IWCA participated in the recent Inter-Regional Forum "Hacia el Ingreso Digno de los Productores" (Inter-Regional Forum for Dignified Income of Coffee Producers) held in Antigua, Guatemala. This pivotal event, organized by the Center of Coffee Information Promecafe, spanned two days and featured an array of international delegates.

The forum brought together key representatives from the global coffee sector, including the International Coffee Organization (ICO) Task Force on Prosperous Living Income, the Inter-African Coffee Organization (IACO), and the executive director of the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA). Participants from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Central America, and Jamaica also joined the discussions, reflecting a wide geographic representation. Read the full story.

Celebrating Excellence: Sara Corrales’ Journey in Taza de la Excelencia Nicaragua

In this episode of Hagamos Café, Sara Corrales shares her incredible experience participating in Taza de la Excelencia Nicaragua, one of the most prestigious coffee competitions in the world. As a repeat winner, Sara reflects on the challenges and rewards of producing award-winning coffee, the rigorous Cup of Excellence (CoE) protocol, and the impact of international recognition on coffee producers.

Discover how this competition is shaping the future of specialty coffee and what it means for farmers striving for excellence. Read more about Sara’s journey and the significance of Taza de la Excelencia!

We are thrilled to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with our newest chapter in Greece, marking an exciting milestone for the IWCA. The agreement, celebrated at World of Coffee 2024, signifies our collective commitment to empowering women in the coffee industry. We are eager to collaborate with the passionate team in Greece, led by Marilena Kouidou, to drive meaningful change and foster a vibrant community of women coffee professionals. This partnership promises to enhance our global network and create new opportunities for growth and innovation in the coffee sector.