Muungano Cooperative

The story

The Muungano Coffee Cooperative was established in 2009 by 350 founding members in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The name Muungano translates to 'togetherness' in Swahili, reflecting the cooperative's mission to unite diverse communities to rebuild regions previously affected by civil conflict. Today, the organization has grown to include over 4,000 smallholder farmers.

Challenges

The cooperative operates in an area that has faced significant civil conflict and instability. Producers also contend with the inherent difficulties of farming in a region where infrastructure and resources have historically been limited.

Innovations

The cooperative has focused on social sustainability by implementing gender equity workshops and utilizing Fair Trade funds to build a health clinic for its members. They have also achieved Organic and Fair Trade certifications and invested in upgrading their milling equipment.