Promoting inclusive and sustainable development in Honduras through partnerships with the private sector  

At Swisscontact, we recognize the importance of the private sector as a key driver in promoting more sustainable practices, with a comprehensive approach that includes the human aspect in productive activities. 

Within the framework of Nestlé's Plan Nescafé and in collaboration with the CoHonducafé Foundation, we co-created a training program to raise awareness and strengthen the capacities of Plan Nescafé technicians, regenerative agriculture programs, Bosques del Mañana and coffee nurseries, in order to prepare them for a comprehensive approach to technical assistance in the field that includes social aspects such as respect for human rights, gender equity and women's economic empowerment. The objective is to enable field technicians to transmit this new knowledge and approach to the producers to whom they provide technical assistance.

Eight workshops were held in four cities of the country - Cucuyagua, Gracias, Comayagua, and San Pedro Sula - with the participation of 75 field technicians.  Through reflective dynamics, participants addressed gender inequalities in coffee growing, and assessed affirmative actions to reduce these gaps. 

Through the workshops, two manuals on both topics that were developed as technical support material, were validated, incorporating the reflections of field technicians who are familiar with the challenges of addressing these issues in rural communities. During the rest of the year, the technical teams, divided into four regions, have proposed action plans to promote attitudinal changes in the groups of producers in their communities.  

Through the implementation of simple replicable actions, knowledge is reinforced in the producer groups with which they work, ensuring a more responsible supply chain. Partnering with the private sector is fundamental to building a more sustainable future for the coffee industry in Honduras.  

This project is financed by Nestlé. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).