Project presentation
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed commodities in the world: an estimated 25 million people worldwide cultivate coffee, many of whom are small-scale producers. Laos is the third-largest coffee producer in Southeast Asia, providing employment for 40,000 families, ranging from large traders and producers to smallholder commercial farms. Climate change severely affects agriculture and the country’s economy, causing droughts, floods, and landslides.
CARE France and CARE Laos work in the Dakcheung region with 10 villages to help coffee producers develop a sustainable, low-environmental-impact supply chain. A key focus of their intervention is the empowerment of women, who make up more than half of coffee producers but are largely absent from decision-making circles, have less access to training opportunities, and earn lower incomes. Women are also less literate, which limits their ability to manage sales and administrative tasks.
The project aims to strengthen women’s roles and leadership within coffee producer groups, raise community awareness on gender and climate issues, and advocate for the integration of gender considerations into Laos’ national coffee strategy. The RAJA Danièle Marcovici Foundation co-finances the project with €25,000 for one year (2024).
