Promoting inclusive and sustainable development in Honduras through partnerships with the private sector  

18.06.2024
Swisscontact joins Nestlé and the CoHonducafé Foundation to strengthen the capacities of Plan Nescafé's agronomy technical staff in the areas of women's economic empowerment and the promotion of respect for human rights in the  coffee value chain. 

At Swisscontact, we recognize the importance of the private sector as a key driver in promoting more sustainable practices, with a comprehensive approach that includes the human aspect in productive activities. 

Within the framework of Nestlé's Plan Nescafé and in collaboration with the CoHonducafé Foundation, we co-created a training program to raise awareness and strengthen the capacities of Plan Nescafé technicians, regenerative agriculture programs, Bosques del Mañana and coffee nurseries, in order to prepare them for a comprehensive approach to technical assistance in the field that includes social aspects such as respect for human rights, gender equity and women's economic empowerment. The objective is to enable field technicians to transmit this new knowledge and approach to the producers to whom they provide technical assistance.

Eight workshops were held in four cities of the country - Cucuyagua, Gracias, Comayagua, and San Pedro Sula - with the participation of 75 field technicians.  Through reflective dynamics, participants addressed gender inequalities in coffee growing, and assessed affirmative actions to reduce these gaps. 

"Our commitment at Swisscontact through this alliance with Nestlé and its Nescafé Plan and the CoHonducafé Foundation is clear: to foster more positive attitudes to promote equity in access to training opportunities on coffee production and financial autonomy, visibilizing and recognizing the importance of men and women in the coffee value chain.  We have carried out activities to raise awareness about the importance of protecting and promoting human rights in coffee, addressing issues such as the prevention of child labor and the promotion of safe spaces for children in our communities."
Dominique Villeda- Project Manager 

Through the workshops, two manuals on both topics that were developed as technical support material, were validated, incorporating the reflections of field technicians who are familiar with the challenges of addressing these issues in rural communities. During the rest of the year, the technical teams, divided into four regions, have proposed action plans to promote attitudinal changes in the groups of producers in their communities.  

Through the implementation of simple replicable actions, knowledge is reinforced in the producer groups with which they work, ensuring a more responsible supply chain. Partnering with the private sector is fundamental to building a more sustainable future for the coffee industry in Honduras.  

 

This project is financed by Nestlé. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

2023 - 2026
Honduras
Sustainable agriculture
Empowering coffee producers through training in human rights
Swisscontact joins Nestlé’s initiative “Plan Nescafé” as a technical ally on training and capacity building on human rights, prevention of child labour and women’s economic empowerment in the Honduran coffee sector.