IWCA Formalizes Renewed Partnerships with Cup of Excellence and Alliance for Coffee Excellence
The International Women’s Coffee Alliance is pleased to announce renewed Memoranda of Understanding with Cup of Excellence (COE) and the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE). These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to expanding opportunity, recognition, and long-term economic sustainability for women across the global coffee value chain.
Together, IWCA, COE, and ACE will collaborate on programs that strengthen women’s participation in quality-driven markets, increase access to training and competitions, and improve visibility for women producers in global coffee platforms.
Expanding Access to Competitions and Juries
Through the IWCA–COE partnership, the organizations will work to increase the number of women producers participating in Cup of Excellence competitions, as well as women serving on national and international juries. This includes collaboration on quality assessment strategies and preparation pathways that help women producers compete at the highest levels of specialty coffee.
Strengthening Skills Through Training and Education
Both MOUs prioritize collaboration on training and educational programs. These efforts will focus on technical skills, sensory education, and broader coffee knowledge—supporting women at multiple points along the value chain and strengthening the capacity of IWCA chapters over time.
Promoting Women’s Coffees in Global Markets
Through the IWCA–ACE partnership, the organizations will jointly promote IWCA chapter members whose coffees achieve recognition in competitions. This coordinated promotion is designed to increase visibility ahead of auctions and other trading platforms, helping to support stronger premiums and longer-term commercial relationships.
Expanding Buyer Networks and Shared Information
The partnerships include commitments to exchange relevant information and collaborate on expanding databases of buyers, supporters, and partners. This shared approach supports greater market access for women-led coffee businesses while strengthening the broader ecosystem that values transparency and quality.
Developing Joint Projects and Funding Opportunities
IWCA, COE, and ACE will also work together to identify and develop joint projects eligible for support from corporations, foundations, NGOs, development organizations, and government partners. These initiatives will be designed with clear goals, accountability, and shared reporting—ensuring alignment with each organization’s mission and values.
Building a More Inclusive Specialty Coffee Sector
These agreements provide a framework for long-term collaboration, not one-off activities. By combining IWCA’s global chapter network with COE’s competition leadership and ACE’s market platforms, the partnerships aim to create more consistent pathways for women to be recognized, rewarded, and supported in specialty coffee.
More updates will be shared as joint programs and activities are rolled out across regions and chapters.