The Sustainable Development Goals are seventeen goals to make the world a better place by 2030. The SDGs were determined by the United Nations (UN), but have been developed for and by everyone.
The Sustainable Development Goals started in 2016 and will run until 2030. They are a global compass for challenges such as poverty, education and the climate crisis. They are the successors to the Millennium Development Goals, which ran from 2000 to 2015.
We have sustainability deeply rooted in our DNA and embrace various SDGs with our mission. In particular, the focus on fair trade, reducing inequality and partnerships, which are central to goals 8, 10, 12 and 17, form the core of our activities.
Decent work and economic growth
Many coffee farmers in the world are currently under pressure. The price paid for the coffee by the industry is often below cost. We work directly with the farmers and pay a real fair price for the coffee. As a result, the farmer can make a living income. We help them to continuously improve the quality of the coffee and reward them by paying a premium once the beans are a high quality. We also help them achieve growth. For example, in 2019, with the help of RVO Nederland, we were able to provide Kilembe washing station in Uganda with financing the purchase of their own piece of land. We also helped building a drying shed for them as well.
Reduce inequalities
Our mission is to create equality throughout the value chain, everyone deserves a living income. By keeping the chain as short as possible, we realize that the farmer will receive a fair price for his coffee.
Responsible consumption and production
There is a growing demand for coffee. And as consumption grows, production declines due to the negative impact of climate change. Small farmers in particular are in a vulnerable position, they see their costs increase over the years and income decreases.
Production must be cleaner with the aim of reducing chemicals and other waste in the air, water and soil. We ensure that the small percentage of drinking water that is available is polluted and wasted less often. We want to make the entire chain aware of the problems and let it help with solutions. From farmer to supermarket, to municipalities, water companies and ultimately the consumer: everyone must have sufficient information about a green lifestyle.
The farmers we work with have a heart for nature and deal with their coffee and residual products in a circular manner. We help farmers with advice on making good use of the crops, installing rainwater tanks etc. as well.
Partnership to achieve goals
Collaboration is important to us and we look for it throughout the whole value chain. We establish an equal partnership with the farmers by showing that we return every year and we give farmers the confidence for a long lasting relationship. In addition, we also connect the coffee drinker to the farmer by inviting our ambassadors to our origin trips. We introducing the costumer to the farmer and start a conversation. We also participate in the debate with the governments and caterers to see what the new economy needs and how we can achieve this together.
Source: see for a further explanation of the SDGs: https://sdgs.un.org/goals