BTN News: The women of Piendamó, CajibÃo, Timbio, Rosas, and Popayán, in the heart of the Cauca region, are defined by perseverance and struggle. These qualities are especially evident in the members of the Federación Campesina del Cauca (F.C.C.), an organization that unites small-scale farmers in these municipalities to promote gender equality, environmental sustainability, and fair trade. Among them stands Doña Silvia Mañunga, a resilient campesina from CajibÃo who transformed her conventional coffee farm into an organic production model. Through her involvement in the F.C.C.’s rural school, she became a promoter of sustainable farming practices, sharing her knowledge with other farmers and playing a pivotal role in her community’s agricultural development.
The F.C.C., which represents over 483 small coffee producers, has been a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture in Cauca since its establishment in 1971. The Federation not only advocates for fair trade but also provides technical and socio-organizational support to its members. By emphasizing agroecology, organic coffee production, and sustainable farming techniques, the F.C.C. ensures that its farmers receive fair prices while preserving the environment and traditional knowledge. This organization is a beacon of progress, especially in a region where 5.9 million rural women, like Doña Silvia, contribute significantly to Colombia’s agricultural sector.
The Federation’s commitment to gender equality is particularly noteworthy, with women occupying 60% of the leadership roles. This focus on female empowerment is central to the F.C.C.’s mission, as it fosters a culture of inclusivity and shared leadership within the agricultural community. The organization’s innovative approaches, such as implementing agroforestry and beekeeping on organic farms, have enhanced climate resilience and diversified income streams for its farmers, thereby improving the quality of life in Cauca’s rural areas.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed. The F.C.C. has received substantial support from NESsT and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, which have provided resources and training to help the Federation diversify its income, particularly through honey production, and to strengthen its presence in the market. The collaboration has also enabled the development of the rural school, which focuses on generational knowledge transfer and the inclusion of women in all aspects of the agricultural process.
The impact of this partnership is profound. The program, which began in 2020, has already supported 17 social enterprises, with plans to expand further in 2023. The F.C.C. was one of nine enterprises selected from over 130 applicants across Colombia and Chile. The selection criteria focused on businesses that promote dignified employment, improve the quality of life for marginalized communities, and prioritize environmental sustainability and gender equality in their business models.
In addition to financial support, the F.C.C. benefits from personalized guidance in areas such as governance, business development, and investment preparation. IKEA also provides mentorship and masterclasses to help these enterprises innovate, expand their market presence, increase operational efficiency, develop new products and services, and strengthen their organizational culture. By connecting participants with IKEA collaborators, the program ensures that each social enterprise receives tailored support to grow while fostering inclusive practices and equitable opportunities.
The partnership between NESsT, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, and the F.C.C. exemplifies a model for sustainable business that can inspire other enterprises and industries across the region. The F.C.C.’s journey from a small farmers’ organization to a key player in promoting sustainable agriculture and gender equality in Colombia is a testament to the power of collective action and the transformative potential of fair trade and social entrepreneurship. As they continue to grow and evolve, the Federación Campesina del Cauca stands as a shining example of how rural communities can thrive through perseverance, unity, and a shared commitment to a better future.
