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IWCA update

The International Women's Coffee Alliance
(IWCA) continues to expand its reach and
impact by forming new collaboration
agreements with key organizations in the
coffee industry. These partnerships
underscore IWCA’s mission to unite a global
network of chapters and support the work
and growth of women throughout the
international coffee community.

AFCA and IWCA Collaboration Blanca Castro, Executive
Excitement, pride, and warmth filled the air as Director of IWCA &
Blanca Castro, IWCA Executive Director, Gilbert Gatali, Executive
welcomed AFCA's Executive Director, Gilbert Director of AFCA
Gatali, to the front of the room to formalize a AFCA’s commitment to
collaboration between AFCA and IWCA. The promoting quality from tree
Memorandum of Understanding between IWCA to cup, advocating for coffee-

and the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) friendly policies, and
marks a new chapter in the collaboration supporting smallholder
between these two organizations. The producers aligns perfectly
agreement was signed by Gilbert Gatali, with IWCA's mission to
Executive Director of AFCA, and Blanca Castro, empower women in the
Executive Director of IWCA. coffee community. Together,
Gatali, who began his role as Executive Director they will coordinate joint

in June 2023, brings a wealth of experience to coffee promotion programs,
the partnership. His background includes establish support systems for
serving as the managing director at the Rwanda growers, advocate for
Small Holder Specialty Coffee Company beneficial policy reforms, and
(Rwashoscco) and founding partner at the foster networking and
vertically integrated Rwandan coffee company education opportunities.
KZ Noir. Gatali’s leadership and expertise are
invaluable as AFCA and IWCA embark on this The Formation of
exciting journey to uplift women coffee IWCA Greece
producers and foster thriving communities
worldwide. In a room already buzzing
with excitement following the
The Synergies Between IWCA signing between AFCA and
and AFCA IWCA, Marilena Kouidou,
The synergy between IWCA and AFCA is evident Greece Chapter President,
in their shared missions and goals. Both and Blanca Castro signed the

organizations are dedicated to promoting and second MoU of the evening JULY/AUGUST. 2024 | ISSUE 37
supporting the specialty coffee industry, with a in front of an enthusiastic
particular focus on women and smallholder crowd, officially welcoming
farmers. By joining forces, they aim to create a Greece as the 35th chapter of
POWER TO WOMEN COFFEE PRODUCERS
more inclusive and sustainable coffee industry. the IWCA.

www.beveragestandardsassociation.co.uk