We took the prices of these kilograms to measure the financial impact on the ground.

An in depth look at the coffee projects that have become possible or have
received a significant boost thanks to Leidschendam-Voorburg, Rijswijk and Pijnacker contract.

An in depth look into the five projects in the municipalities portfolio.

The coffees for this blend come from Fazenda California, a centenarian farm in Brazil. They have been working together with This Side Up from 2016 to bring the best lots to Europe. Luiz and his wife Flavia run Fazenda California together. Fazenda California has been striving to consistently produce high quality sustainable specialty coffee from 2007 in the state of Paraná. It was in fact the first one in this region to win the Cup of Excellence (2010, 2015) showing off it’s highest quality yet that has never stopped them from seeking to improve their production and process consistently. They have also set up a on site laboratory in 2021 to conduct research on influence of microbial behavior and it is impact on the soil. All this to help the farmers in that region find right ways to develop a regenerative agricultural model and find the  balance between coffee, nature and it’s people. They diversify their agricultural portfolio with soy other than coffee. Their interest, expertise in agronomy, farming and their relentless innovation mindset helps them produce some of the best coffees in the world. Fazenda California has managed to create two competition lots (used to win Barista Championships) called Honeymoon and Tropical storm that are rich, complex, full of flavors and highest quality. Luiz exports his coffees through Capricornio Coffees, an exporter that works closely with farmers in Brazil by offering them agronomical support to help them develop the best quality every season. This creates the upward cycle of better quality which influences the market to pay better prices and foster quality investments back on the farm. Their “Four Seasons” program offers technical assistance which also includes fostering behavioral changes of the farmers. It is a first step to help farmers move from producing commodity to specialty coffee. This program supports the farmers during harvesting and post harvesting activities, but as the name says: it supports during all the four seasons. The public offices of the Municipalities of Leidschendam-Voorburg, Rijswijk and Pijnacker-Nootdorp use up to 32% of Fazenda California and has a unique opportunity of consuming coffees which are work of sweat and science!

Coffee has been used as a catalyst to foster peace at the island of Idjwi in the Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. From 2014, CPNCK has been operating out of this island that welcomes ex-combatants and refugees, and offering them a viable economic alternative. By distributing saplings, training them on the know-hows to improve their quality, the goal was to give them ownership through the decentralized microstation model, and together, exporting the coffees to coffee drinkers around the world. The goal is simple: providing a financial alternative to fighting a war.

The persistent efforts of coops president Gilbert Makalele of CPNCK has helped them achieve several important milestones over the years including building their own dry mill, installing gravity sorters, fermentation tanks, expanding their sun/shade drying infrastructure. In 2023, CPNCK for the first time exported a lot produced and processed fully by women! Through a recurring contract provided by the municipalities, farmers have a predictable demand and the recurring nature of the contract serves as an incentive for them to keep producing quality coffee and earning a livelihood. Several improvements have been possible because of coffee production and the income from it: better housing facilities, more children enrolled in schools, and being able to afford health care.

CPNCK’s ambitions include becoming one of the largest cooperatives in Democratic Republic of Congo and strive to create autonomy for coffee producers through innovation. They want to create diversified sources of income, rejuvenate old coffee trees, invest in marketing and construction of better community infrastructure such as schools, health care facilities. Other than the excellent coffee, thanks to this contract, we can now bring such stories to light. Congolese coffees are not often well known in the specialty coffee market in Europe, through such collaborations, it is possible to bring these coffees into the limelight.

RAEK and TSU have been cooperating since 2017, with the partnership's primary impact being the consistent purchase of coffee every year and the ongoing commitment to return for more. This relationship has been built on mutual trust and a shared vision for sustainable growth.

Four years ago, we launched the FBK project as a grassroots initiative to reduce or eliminate child labor. This effort was shaped by findings from baseline studies, which highlighted key areas for intervention. Poverty remains the central challenge in Congo, compounded by high political tensions that make livelihoods even more precarious. However, the FBK project has become a beacon of hope, fostering resilience within the community.

Through the FBK project, RAEK has achieved significant local impact, benefiting both adults and children. The cooperative trains its members in good agricultural practices, and the project grant has enabled the identification and support of model farmers who act as conduits for sharing knowledge.

Local schools have benefited from improved infrastructure, better study materials, and agricultural demo plots where children grow fruits and vegetables for domestic consumption. These efforts not only support education but also cultivate a deeper appreciation for agriculture among the younger generation, positioning it as a viable and fulfilling livelihood.

Beyond trade, This Side Up has worked closely with RAEK to establish a traceability system, enhancing bookkeeping and accounting processes. This has improved operational transparency and built confidence among buyers and partners, paving the way for greater market access.

RAEK's women’s group focuses on savings, collective learning, and securing higher prices for their produce. Additionally, as part of the FBK project, RAEK constructed a third microstation to expand its capacity and engage more farmers within the community.

The success of these initiatives is amplified by stable contracts, such as those with Leidschendam, which create predictable demand. This stability has made the entire effort not only impactful but also highly sustainable. By addressing root causes like poverty and education while fostering community-led solutions, the partnership between RAEK and TSU continues to drive meaningful, long-term change.

Finca Churupampa is circular social enterprise with an advanced outlook on regeneration. Churupampa has been providing technical assistance, sharing knowledge and most importantly fostering an ecologically sound coffee production in their region. The improvement has been tremendous. Before 2015, most of the producers' children sought to leave the countryside and go to the city. When they started working together with Churupampa, together they could crack new markets. This was an incentive for the productions to raise and farmers to be more profitable and allowing them to improve their economy. The producers are choosing to see agriculture as a sustainable future, and believe life in the country side is more profitable than packing their bags and leaving for the cities. The model Churupampa have developed in practicing regenerative agriculture and making it 100% circular has been adopted by other producers. Eber and Lenin, the founders of Churupampa are seen as role models in the community. The goal is to become independent of external inputs, reducing costs and improving soil quality. Closing the cycle is what matters. Whatever you need, is on the farm. You just need to know how to do it!

The brothers have been conducting experiments on their own farms that serve as demonstration plots for developing more climate resilient options that they can then share with their community. Recently they created pellets out of organic home made compost that they will eventually have it ready to distribute to farmers that need it. Through this contract over 6800 kgs of green coffee that are part of this blend were produced in an ecologically sound way. This kind of a recurring contract also creates incentives for farmers to continue investing in making their soil healthy and innovating of making their farms fully circular. Finca Churupampa is determined to recover their soils, invest in education, increasing productivity and reduce costs. This blend constitutes up to 46% of the total coffees.

Economic improvement naturally leads to social advancement, a fact evident in the evolving way of life within the community. The Paguaga family exemplifies this transformation through their multifaceted roles, demonstrating the positive ripple effects of a sustainable coffee industry.

As estate owners, the family provides stable employment opportunities with competitive incomes, offering an alternative to the local mining industry. These better incomes translate directly into a higher quality of life, enabling families to invest in education, healthcare, and improved housing. This economic stability also reduces migration pressures, allowing individuals to remain and thrive within their communities.