Fairtrade International and Initiative for Coffee&Climate Forge Groundbreaking Partnership to Empower Farmers Against Climate Change
May 16 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
In a landmark move to combat the escalating threats of climate change in the coffee sector, Fairtrade International and the Initiative for Coffee&Climate (c&c) have reached a strategic partnership aimed at equipping smallholder coffee farmers with cutting-edge tools and knowledge to build climate resilience and advance sustainable agriculture. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed unites two leading organizations in a shared mission to safeguard the livelihoods of coffee farming communities worldwide.
Climate change poses existential risks to coffee production, with rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and pests threatening yields and farmer incomes. Smallholders, who produce 60-80% of the world’s coffee, are particularly vulnerable. Recognizing this urgency, Fairtrade International—a global leader in ethical trade—and c&c—a pre-competitive coalition of public and private stakeholders—are pooling their expertise to scale innovative solutions.
The partnership, active until December 2026, will focus on enhancing the c&c Toolbox, a digital platform offering farmers actionable guidance on climate-smart practices. Key initiatives include:
- Expanding Access: Extending the toolbox’s reach to new regions in Latin America and East Africa, targeting 10,000+ additional farmers.
- Enriching Content: Integrating Fairtrade’s three decades of experience in farmer training, certification, and market access into the app’s resources.
- Promoting Biodiversity & Food Security: Emphasizing agroforestry, soil health, water conservation, and crop diversification to strengthen ecosystems and livelihoods.
c&cFounded in 2010 by International Coffee Partners (ICP), GIZ, and HRNS, c&c unites industry giants like Lavazza, Tchibo, and Paulig with development agencies such as Sida. This unique blend of private-sector innovation and public funding enables scalable, farmer-driven solutions.
The MoU was signed by Andreas Kratz, Fairtrade International’s Director of Programs & Policy, and Michael Opitz, Managing Director of Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS), the NGO coordinating c&c.
Both underscored the transformative potential of merging Fairtrade’s grassroots networks with c&c’s technical expertise.
“This partnership is a game-changer,” said Kratz. “By combining Fairtrade’s farmer-centric approach with c&c’s innovative tools, we can accelerate the adoption of practices that protect both people and the planet.”
Opitz highlighted the toolbox’s role as an open-source hub: “Our app democratizes knowledge, enabling farmers and trainers to access proven strategies for tackling climate challenges—from drought-resistant crops to carbon sequestration methods.”
The c&c Toolbox, is a user-friendly web app available in multiple languages. It provides step-by-step guidance on:
- Climate Adaptation: Techniques like shade-grown coffee and rainwater harvesting.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Integrating native trees and pollinator-friendly plants.
- Economic Resilience: Diversifying income streams through intercropping
Since 2010, c&c has trained over 139,000 households across seven regions, improving yields by up to 30% in pilot projects.
Fairtrade’s involvement will amplify these impacts by:
1. Leveraging Networks: Mobilizing its 1.9 million+ farmer members across 75 countries to pilot the toolbox.
2. Driving Policy Advocacy: Jointly advocating for inclusive climate finance and gender equity in agriculture.
3. Knowledge Sharing: Co-hosting workshops and webinars to cross-pollinate best practices, such as Fairtrade’s Climate Academy modules.
Fairtrade International is a renowned for its certification model, it ensures farmers earn fair prices while promoting environmental stewardship through standards like prohibited deforestation and agrochemical reduction.