Futureproof Coffee Collective

Several sustainability challenges such as climate change and structural underpayment of coffee farmers are creating major challenges within the coffee sector.If we continue as we are doing now, by 2050 about 50 percent of the current agricultural land will no longer be able to grow coffee. That is why CSR Netherlands launched the Futureproof Coffee Collective in 2018: a network of coffee producers, importers, roasters and retailers fighting together for the future of coffee.

Why the Futureproof Coffee Collective?

The Futureproof Coffee Collective (FCC) is a collective of CSR Netherlands in which companies voluntarily work together towards a sustainable coffee sector. In this, the collective focuses on three of CSR Netherlands' seven main themes: real prices, transparency and biodiversity in the chain.

The coffee supply chain is a complex one. Forward-thinking companies, especially SMEs, face strong competition from large companies with large market shares. In addition, larger coffee traders and buyers often steer on price and sustainability is secondary. Scalability and access to financial security for SMEs and coffee farmers in their chains are thus a huge challenge. 

Joining forces

By joining forces, the FCC forms a unique collaboration between actors from the entire chain. Together, we make what happens in the coffee chain transparent and measurable and show that things can be done differently. In addition, the network increases the visibility of SMEs and shows what fair and sustainable coffee means. To make coffee drinkers aware that their daily cup of coffee is far too cheap and that the future of coffee is under pressure due to many factors. 

What does the Futureproof Coffee Collective do?

The FCC is driving the transition to a sustainable coffee sector mainly in three ways:

1. We show that sustainable coffee is possible and highlight best practices from the network in the form of projects, events and campaigns. By doing so, we hope to get other actors on board and make sustainable coffee the norm.

2. We are working with Dutch companies in coffee-producing countries on impact projects that focus on cooperation and the three main themes. One of these is the project Futureproof Coffee Uganda, where CSR Netherlands is joining forces with FCC partners and Ugandan coffee producers to make the Ugandan coffee value chain more sustainable.  

3. We are using Public Affairs to promote socially responsible purchasing and make fair coffee the norm. We are also calling on the government for laws and regulations that reward sustainable business and contribute to transparent, fair and biodiverse chains.

Partners of the FCC

The collective consists of companies working in the coffee chain. We work not only in the Netherlands, but also towards more transparent chains and a sustainable economy in coffee-producing countries. We do this by working together with other companies in the network on projects in countries such as Colombia, Peru, Uganda and India. And by working on biodiversity restoration. Among others, these companies participate:

Also fighting for the future of coffee?

Whether you are a grower, importer, roaster or retailer. Or whether you own a small coffee shop in the Netherlands or work for a large company that operates internationally and drinks coffee in the workplace. We need you in the fight for sustainable coffee production and a fair price. And you don't have to be a coffee company to do that! For example, do you want to buy differently? Then do our crash course (in Dutch) or take a look at goedekoffie.nl (in Dutch). Are you a coffee company and want to get started securing the future of coffee? Then get in touch with Roxana.