Introduction:

Ethiopia is the birthplace of Arabica coffee, and coffee plays a critical role in the country's economy and culture. Women are heavily involved in the coffee value chain, particularly in labour-intensive activities such as planting, weeding, harvesting, and processing. However, they often have limited access to land ownership, decision-making roles, and financial benefits. Empowering women in the coffee sector can enhance productivity, quality, and income distribution.

Coffee production in Ethiopia is highly sensitive to climate change. These impacts disproportionately affect women, who often lack resources and adaptive capacities to respond to climate challenges. Gender-sensitive approaches to climate resilience, such as providing women access to education, resources, and decision-making platforms, can strengthen both coffee sustainability and community resilience.

The Women, Coffee, and Climate Project is implemented around Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve in southwest Ethiopia, through a contribution agreement between the Spanish Cooperation (AECID) and the EU Delegation to Ethiopia. AECID is implementing the project with various implementing partners involving government and NGOs. The project also benefits from south-south experience exchange by bringing on board two coffee companies; Technicafe of Colombia and Conicafe of Honduras. The whole purpose of the project is to create gender-sensitive and climate-resilient coffee value chain that empowers and benefits women.     

Objectives:

The main objective is to enhance gender equality and sustainability of Ethiopian coffee value chain through eco-efficiency, social innovation, and south – south cooperation.

Project Activities: