The Executive Programme in Coffee Innovation and Business will start in July. The programme is developed within the framework of the Advancing Climate-Resilience and Transformation in African Coffee (ACT) Programme, promoted by UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and funded by the Italian Cooperation, within the framework of the Mattei Plan and the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy.
The Executive Programme in Coffee Innovation and Business represents one of the key initiatives of the ACT Programme dedicated to human capital development, entrepreneurial strengthening, and innovation investment within the coffee value chain in East Africa.
The initiative is implemented by E4Impact Foundation as lead partner, in collaboration with Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan, illycaffè and Fondazione Ernesto Illy ETS, the Alumni of the Master program in Coffee Economics and Science Ernesto Illy, Lavazza, Slow Food, Illy Alumni, the Coffee Research Institute, and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.
Strengthening skills, innovation and local value
In Kenya, the coffee sector employs approximately six million people and is characterized by fragmented production, price volatility, and challenges related to quality, compliance with international standards, and the impacts of climate change.
In this context, the Executive Programme in Coffee Innovation and Business aims to:
- strengthen managerial and entrepreneurial skills across the entire value chain;
- promote innovation and local transformation;
- enhance the climate resilience of enterprises and cooperatives;
- facilitate market access and attract sustainable investments.
The programme supports coffee value chain operators in Kenya in strengthening sustainable businesses and innovating in product valorization.
Statements
“This programme represents a concrete example of effective cooperation between institutions, universities, and businesses to strengthen a strategic value chain such as coffee, creating value in producing countries while promoting sustainable and inclusive development. As the E4Impact Foundation, we have been committed for years to supporting African entrepreneurship through training and innovation. It is a project I particularly value because, in my work at the European Parliament, I have paid close attention to the coffee sector, ensuring that European policies take into account the needs of producers, the sustainability of value chains, and the fair valorization of the product without placing undue burden on prices, businesses, and end consumers. Only through an integrated approach, combining international cooperation with forward-looking policies, we can ensure a more equitable and resilient future for the entire sector.” commented Letizia Moratti, President of the E4Impact Foundation.
Anna Illy, President of the Ernesto Illy Foundation ETS and Chief Ethical Officer of illycaffè, highlighted: “For the Ernesto Illy Foundation ETS and illycaffè, professional training and the dissemination of knowledge are fundamental pillars for fostering sustainability in coffee-producing countries. We firmly believe that investing in people and in their skills is the key to building a more equitable and responsible future across the entire coffee value chain. For this reason, we have chosen to concretely support the Executive Programme in Coffee Innovation & Business, confident that a high-level educational pathway, innovation, and collaboration among all actors of the value chain represent essential elements to achieve a sustainable and inclusive transformation of the sector. Supporting this initiative means believing in the value of skills, promoting local development, and generating positive impacts for coffee-producing communities.”
“Since 2017, Lavazza has been committed to training new generations seeking opportunities in the coffee sector, engaging over 700 young people across 20 countries over the years. The participation of the Lavazza Foundation in the Executive Programme in Coffee Innovation and Business represents a further confirmation of its commitment to investing in the future, promoting skills development and growth for coffee-producing communities.” commented Veronica Rossi, Lavazza Foundation.
“Through strong coffee farmers’ cooperative societies and industry linkages, DeKUT enhances productivity, product diversification, and global competitiveness, positioning Kenya’s coffee value chain for innovation driven growth and long-term resilience. DeKUT is honoured to be partner in the Executive Programme in Coffee Innovation and Business.” stated Prof. Eddy E. Owaga – Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs and Research)
“With the Executive Programme in Coffee Innovation and Business, we invest in human capital as a strategic lever for the sustainable transformation of the coffee value chain. Together with the Italian Cooperation, we are committed to strengthening entrepreneurial skills, innovation and climate resilience. This means creating local value, attracting investments, and structurally improving the socio-economic conditions of producer communities.” stated Andrea De Marco, UNIDO Programme Manager and Partnership Advisor