The First Grant from IWCA’s New Access & Training Fund Helps IWCA Spain’s Champion Advance to the National Stage

IWCA Global is proud to award the first-ever grant from the newly launched Women in Coffee Access & Training Grant Fund, an everg reen program designed to help women across the IWCA network access certifications, competitions, and professional development that would otherwise remain out of reach.

The inaugural grant supports IWCA Spain and their chapter champion, Monserrat Cornet, following the completion of the Espréssate – IWCA Spain Women’s Barista Championship. The Spain Chapter created this competition as a pathway for women baristas to develop technical skills, gain visibility, and build the confidence needed to compete at higher levels.

Espréssate exceeded expectations. Twenty-eight women registered, ten advanced to the final competition, and the event brought together internationally certified judges, industry mentors, and sponsors committed to promoting women’s leadership in coffee.

After the event, IWCA Spain secured part of the funding needed to advance the winner into the SCA Spain National Barista Championship—but fell short of the full requirement.

They reached out to the new Access & Training Fund to close the final financial gap, submitting a grant application to support their champion’s next step.

IWCA Global approved the request, awarding €1,500 to ensure that the Espréssate champion can officially compete on the national stage. With taxes covered by the Spain Chapter, the grant removes the last barrier standing between Monserrat and this opportunity.

A Championship Born From a Shared Dream

Espréssate was more than a competition—it was the realization of a vision held by many women in Spain’s coffee community. Over two days in Barcelona, nine remarkable women stepped onto the stage and brought forward their skill, passion, and courage. Their dedication affirmed exactly why this project needed to exist.

Hosted within the My Coffee Guide Awards, the event came to life thanks to the generous partnership of My Coffee Guide and the support of sponsors including Oatly, Somnui, Timemore, and Kimbarista. Their involvement created the foundation for a welcoming, empowering space.

The judging panel (composed of respected international judges and industry leaders) set the tone for an inspiring, transparent, and deeply human experience. Their professionalism and care contributed to a fair and educational event for all competitors.

Behind the scenes, volunteers and mentors provided vital support, from machine preparation to day-of logistics. Their commitment embodied the collaborative spirit that makes IWCA chapters so impactful.

Espréssate emerged from a shared dream: to create a stage where women could step forward, be seen, and be celebrated. Watching that dream come true filled IWCA Spain with pride and gratitude—and strengthened their resolve to continue building opportunities for women in coffee.

Meet Monserrat: The First Recipient of the Access & Training Grant

“I’m beginning to build my story, and this is an important chapter.”
— Monserrat Cornet

At 27, Monserrat has already traveled far—geographically and professionally.

Born and raised in Argentina, she studied law before realizing her true path was one of exploration, connection, and culture. A close friend introduced her to specialty coffee during the pandemic, and what started as home experimentation quickly became a transformational journey.

Her travels took her to Italy, Andorra, Australia, and now Spain. With each move, she deepened her experience—working as a barista, then a supervisor, and today as a roaster and quality control specialist at Amauta Coffee Roasters.

In Australia, she discovered the world of coffee competitions. The camaraderie, the creativity, the challenge—all of it inspired her to test herself on stage.

So when IWCA Spain created Espréssate to lift women into professional competition spaces, Monserrat stepped forward. Her goal was clear:
to compete at the national SCA level and support the visibility and advancement of women in coffee.

She trained, practiced, competed—and won.

Now, thanks to the collaboration between IWCA Spain and the new Access & Training Grant Fund, she will advance to the SCA Spain National Barista Championship, carrying her story, her skill, and her voice onto a larger stage.

“I’m excited to prepare for the championship,” she shared. “And I feel profoundly grateful for the support of the alliance, my team, my family, and my friends, who have been a constant source of strength.”

About Espréssate: A Chapter-Led Pathway for Women in Coffee

Espréssate was created to address a stark gap: although women make up 54% of Spain’s coffee sector, fewer than 5% participate in national championships.

The Spain Chapter responded with a program designed to remove barriers and build confidence.
Their three-phase structure included:

1. Training (Online)

Free sessions led by international judges on SCA rules, presentation design, storytelling, sponsorships, and performance.

2. Practice (In-Person)

Hands-on coaching in partner coffee shops across Spain.

3. Competition (Barcelona)

A two-day SCA-style event run with transparency, education, and fairness at its core.

The program created community, visibility, and opportunity—all essential components of IWCA’s mission.

A Powerful Demonstration of What the New Grant Fund Can Do

This first grant illustrates exactly why the Women in Coffee Access & Training Grant Fund was created:

• to remove financial barriers

• to fuel chapter-led advancement

• to support individual women pursuing meaningful professional steps

• to turn training into opportunity, and opportunity into leadership

Espréssate identified the talent.
IWCA Spain built the platform and secured partial funding.
The new grant fund helped close the final gap—ensuring Monserrat can advance.

This is the model: individual opportunity becoming chapter strength, community visibility, and sector-wide change.

Congratulations to IWCA Spain and to Monserrat

IWCA Global celebrates the Spain Chapter for designing a thoughtful, high-impact program that elevates women and strengthens the industry.

And we celebrate Monserrat, whose passion, skill, and perseverance represent exactly what this fund was created to support.

This is only the beginning.
The Access & Training Grant Fund will continue opening doors for women across the global IWCA network—one opportunity at a time.