Empowering Girls and Young Women in Coffee: IWCA Uganda Launches Groundbreaking EYE‑C Program
On October 11, the world recognizes the International Day of the Girl Child—a moment to celebrate the potential, resilience, and leadership of girls everywhere. At IWCA Uganda, this day holds special meaning as it aligns with the launch of a transformative new initiative: the Empowering Young Women Entrepreneurs in Agriculture Stimulated by Coffee (EYE‑C) program.
A Vision for the Future: Coffee as a Pathway for Young Women
In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, aBi Development Ltd., and Café Africa Uganda, IWCA Uganda has officially signed on as a lead partner in the five‑year, $48 million EYE‑C initiative. The program will directly benefit 450,000 young people in Uganda, with a specific goal of empowering 300,000 young women to access dignified, fulfilling work in the coffee and agriculture sectors.
On this global day of recognition, we reaffirm our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young women in Uganda’s coffee value chain—not just as farmers, but as entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers.
IWCA Uganda’s Role in the EYE‑C Program
IWCA Uganda will serve as the lead on Gender and Safeguarding, implementing more than $4 million in programming dedicated to:
Embedding gender-transformative and safeguarding approaches across all activities
Building capacity for youth- and women-led enterprises in coffee
Supporting the design of safe, inclusive work environments
Facilitating leadership development, market access, and economic opportunities for young women
Why This Matters
This program is more than numbers. It is about unlocking the potential of Uganda’s young women, advancing equity, sustainability, and prosperity. Through skills development, financial inclusion, market access, and a strong emphasis on gender-responsive systems, the EYE‑C program is helping create a future where every girl has the tools and confidence to thrive.
As we prepare to implement fieldwork, this day is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do: to build a more just and inclusive future through coffee.
Global Connection and Collective Impact
IWCA Uganda will work closely with IWCA Global to:
Strengthen market access for youth- and women-produced coffees
Leverage IWCA’s global network for storytelling, learning exchanges, and visibility
Connect EYE‑C beneficiaries to buyers and roasters internationally
Ensure lasting trade relationships beyond the life of the project
Teopista Nakkungu, Regional Coordinator for Africa and Chief Coordinator of IWCA Uganda, shared:
“This program represents a bold step forward for women and young people in Uganda’s coffee sector. It is also a testament to what we can achieve when we combine localized leadership with global collaboration. We look forward to your guidance and partnership as we embark on this exciting journey.”
Standing with Girls Everywhere
Today, as we honor girls around the world, we also celebrate this powerful new chapter for Uganda’s young women. The EYE‑C program is not just about coffee. It’s about transformation, agency, and rewriting what’s possible for the next generation.