International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA)

About the International Women’s Coffee Alliance

The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) is a non-profit organization that achieves empowerment through leadership development, strategic partnership, and amplified market visibility. As of 2020, the IWCA Global Network includes independent organizations across 27 countries. Members include every role in the supply chain, an estimated 90% identify as coffee producers

IWCA Mission

The mission of the International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA) is to empower women in the international coffee community to achieve meaningful and sustainable lives; and to encourage and recognize the participation of women in all aspects of the coffee industry.

What We Do

The International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA) leads women's empowerment in the international coffee industry by supporting a global network of independent, self-organized, self-governing organizations, called IWCA Chapters. Each IWCA Chapter develops and implements their own strategic priorities and membership models, following the IWCA Chapter Formation Protocol.

As a global network, we achieve empowerment through leadership development, strategic partnership, and amplified market visibility. Read the IWCA 2020 Annual Report for more in-depth examples of the impact of our programs and partnerships. IWCA programs include:

• The IWCA Chapter Member Coffee Availability Lists (CAL)

• IWCA Chapter Member Coffee Assessment Program (CAP)

• The IWCA Chapter Case Study Library

• IWCA Connects! and other online webinar programs

• IWCA Global Network virtual community of practice

• IWCA Logo Licensing Program

Working as a global network, the IWCA facilitates organizational partnerships with other multi-stakeholder organizations, including African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA), International Coffee Organization (ICO), National Coffee Association (NCA), Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), World Coffee Alliance (World Coffee Alliance).

IWCA Values

1. Respect - Every woman has a unique and valid voice; therefore, the IWCA respects every person and their ideas.

2. Sustainability - The IWCA supports programs that foster harmony of environmental, social and economic impact.

3. Equity - The IWCA supports programs that encourage the equitable allocation of resources in the world.

4. Integrity - Serving women in coffee is the ultimate goal of the IWCA and to further this goal, all decisions are made with honesty and integrity.

5. Collaboration - Communities hold the solutions to their own problems, therefore the best way to impact these communities is through collaboration and partnership.

6. Empowerment - The IWCA supports actions that strengthen women to realize their full potential.

7. Inclusion - The IWCA supports the inclusion of all - men, women, and youth - working together to achieve positive impact through empowered communities.