A Quarter Century of Impact: International Coffee Partners Celebrates 25 Years of Transforming Smallholder Coffee Farming
April 2 - 2026
Coffee Geography Magazine
Twenty-five years ago, at the height of a devastating coffee crisis, a group of European family-owned coffee roasters did something unconventional: they set aside competition to focus on the families at the very start of the supply chain. Today, International Coffee Partners (ICP) celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a milestone of sustainable development that has reached more than 125,700 farming families across 13 countries.
Founded in 2001 by roasters who understood that the survival of their industry depended on the resilience of its producers, ICP was built on a simple yet ambitious goal—to understand the realities of farmers, support their communities, and strengthen the coffee sector collectively. What began as a crisis-response initiative has evolved into a model for pre-competitive collaboration, proving that long-term responsibility and care for the people behind every cup of coffee can yield generational change.
The founding members—including Sweden’s Löfbergs, a co-founder and committed partner from the very start—recognized that isolated sustainability efforts were insufficient to address systemic challenges. By aggregating their resources under the ICP umbrella, these family-owned businesses created a unified approach to supporting smallholder livelihoods.
“We do not only implement projects,” said Kathrine Löfberg, Chair of the Board at Löfbergs. “We focus on the families at the centre of our work, looking at their potentials and needs. Together with them and among the ICP shareholders we learn and evolve our approach and our operations. In the future, we will continue to embrace the power to work together. It’s like with coffee: development and progress are the best when you share them with others.”
Kathrine Löfberg, Chair of the Board, Löfbergs
Michael R. Neumann, founder of Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS), reflected on the partnership’s origins: “In 1999, I began working towards a joint development initiative, which led to the foundation of ICP in 2001. The basis was responsible family entrepreneurship on the part of the European shareholders. It is impressive to realize that its entrepreneurial and ethical approach bore fruit for 25 years in 2026. This exemplifies how consistent and collaborative efforts can lead to meaningful holistic change.”
Michael R. Neumann
Over the past quarter-century, ICP’s work has extended far beyond agricultural training. In countries including Brazil, Ethiopia, Honduras, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Uganda, the partnership has focused on strengthening farmer organizations, improving climate resilience, and diversifying income sources. By helping farmers adopt new cultivation methods and gain better access to markets, ICP has aimed to create long-term value for families and local communities.
Inclusive training has been a cornerstone of this work. In 2025, 45 percent of program participants were women, and 22 percent were young farmers aged 18 to 35, reflecting a deliberate strategy to empower marginalized groups as agents of change.
As the partnership looks ahead, its leaders emphasize a continued focus on entrepreneurship and adaptation to a rapidly changing market.
“Through ICP, we support smallholder coffee farmers as economic actors in a rapidly changing market,” said Giuseppe Lavazza, Chairman of the Lavazza Group. “In this environment, entrepreneurship is key to ensuring a sustainable future. Entrepreneurship means more than financing. It requires higher productivity, the responsible use of inputs, digitalization, and a constant capacity to innovate. By working across these dimensions, ICP helps farmers shift their mindset—from traditional low-income farming to a more resilient, entrepreneurial business. That shift is one of ICP’s core objectives.”
Giuseppe Lavazza, Chairman Lavazza Group
Rui Miguel Nabeiro, Chairman of the ICP Steering Committee, underscored the partnership’s enduring commitment: “As a partnership built on generational responsibility, we will continue working toward a better future for smallholder coffee farming families around the world. We are aiming for meaningful change for farmers and communities and for responsible and long-lasting growth.”
Rui Miguel Nabeiro, Chairman ICP Steering Committee
ICP is a pre-competitive partnership of leading family-owned European coffee companies, including Delta Cafés (Portugal), Franck (Croatia), Joh. Johannson Kaffe (Norway), Lavazza (Italy), Löfbergs (Sweden), Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (Germany), and Tchibo (Germany).
As ICP marks its 25th anniversary, the partnership reaffirms its mission to help smallholder coffee farmers build secure and sustainable livelihoods—ensuring that the future of coffee remains rooted in the well-being of those who cultivate it.