Welcoming Greece: The 35th Chapter of IWCA
We are delighted to announce that Greece has joined the IWCA as the 35th chapter! The official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place during the IWCA reception at the World of Coffee event in Copenhagen, marking a significant milestone in our mission to empower women in the coffee industry worldwide.
Marilena Kouidou, president of the Greek chapter, expressed her enthusiasm: “Our ultimate goal is to see more women join and succeed in the industry. We believe the time has come for such an initiative in our country, as society increasingly recognizes the importance of integration in all areas. We aim to have more women involved throughout the coffee value chain, and although Greece is a small country, it has a very significant coffee culture. As part of IWCA, we are committed to driving this change and making a meaningful impact.”
Earlier this year, IWCA Greece also made a significant impact by presenting at HORECA Athens in February 2024. HORECA is an essential business meeting place for thousands of hospitality professionals who wish to discover innovations, network, and do business. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs who envision, evolve, and follow the trends meet leading Greek and global brands to discover pioneering products, solutions, modern services, and cutting-edge technologies for their hotels or foodservice businesses. Marilena noted, “We had a lot of interest from people who wanted to learn about the IWCA organization.”
In addition, the Greece Chapter participated in a collaborative cupping session separate from the World of Coffee event. This session, organized in partnership with IWCA Colombia and led by Lina Granados, introduced Colombia’s women-produced coffees to the Greek market. This event exemplified the potential for international cooperation and market expansion, and it was a resounding success, thanks to the combined efforts of many dedicated individuals and organizations.
The Greece Chapter's participation in these events exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and empowerment that defines IWCA. By joining forces, we can create more opportunities for women in coffee, foster community development, and promote high-quality coffee on a global scale.
We look forward to working together with the Greece Chapter to support women throughout the coffee value chain. This new chapter brings fresh energy and perspectives to our alliance, and we are excited to see the positive impact they will have on the coffee industry.