Lilianas Story of Leadership in Fair Trade Coffee

At the Cooperativa de Caficultores del Norte de Caldas (CAFNORCA) in Colombia, coffee is the foundation of work and community for over 2,500 members, about 700 of whom are women. The cooperative was founded to help local farmers compete with private buyers and obtain better market access. Over the past 21 years, CAFNORCA has used Fair Trade Certification to uplift its members, investing in capacity building, infrastructure, and practical solutions. The cooperative’s investments made a significant personal, economic, and environmental difference for members. Liliana Andrea Valencia Duque is a clear example of these efforts. Over nearly twenty years, she moved from delegate to become the first woman President of CAFNORCA’s Board. Reflecting on the change and peer support, she shared, “we have had many training opportunities to strengthen our leadership… and today we can say that we are present in different spaces within our organization.” The shift toward inclusive leadership took determination, but the outcomes are clear. “At the beginning it was not easy… but we showed that we have the capacity,” she says Fair Trade coffee sales also allowed producers to access the Economic Benefits Program (BEPS), a voluntary savings plan created by the Colombian pension administration for those unable to make standard pension contributions. Community Development Funds supported vital upgrades, such as "garruchas" (cable transport systems) to help older farmers move coffee and materials. The cooperative also subsidized wastewater treatment systems, aided with installing marquesinas (parabolic dryers), and funded beekeeping and productivity training. Additionally, CAFNORCA implemented a system to redistribute the Fair Trade coffee price premium, which improved farmer incomes and ensured timely, reliable payments. CAFNORCA shows how collective organization and Fair Trade can transform a farming community. By reinvesting in its members, the cooperative has improved quality of life for thousands of families and become a model of success at local, departmental, and national levels. From her perspective, Liliana summarizes it clearly: “we know we are being paid for coffee with added value… and that these programs impact us at a personal, social, environmental, and economic level.” This impact can be seen in the improved daily lives and opportunities for cooperative members, highlighting the lasting value of Fair Trade and the progress achieved together.