What is the background?
The non-governmental organisation Twin focuses on development through trade and works with 400,000 farmers in 17 countries. After coffee leaf rust affected up to 80 per cent of crops in 2015, it brought together the coffee roaster firms Matthew Algie and Taylors of Harrogate and the high-street retailer Marks & Spencer with coffee farmers from two cooperatives in Peru to discuss ways to increase the resilience of coffee farming.
What is the project?
The project focused on gender, sustainable agriculture and youth engagement, training local champions who went on to train and motivate their peers. Workshops introduced young people to potential new careers and grants were made available for them to start businesses, such as beekeeping. The programme also invested in committees that bring female farmers together to support each other and produce their own coffee.
Marks & Spencer, Taylors of Harrogate and Matthew Algie contributed to the project financially, and staff made multiple visits to the cooperatives. They shared stories on social media and through internal communications to highlight the importance of sustainability. Taylors bought coffee grown by women at a premium and promoted the project while marketing the coffee.
What has it achieved?
Average yields increased by 56 per cent, 26 farmer field schools were established and 1,856 farmers were trained in sustainable agriculture.
What did the judges say?
"A brilliant partnership showing great teamwork, demonstrating the power of coming together to achieve good things," said Nicola Bott, head of partnership development at Teenage Cancer Trust.
Highly commended
Deloitte with Depaul UK
Finalists
Coca-Cola European Partners with UK Youth
Royal Mail with Action for Children
UBS with the Bridge Academy
