Annual Report 2024
Promoting Sustainable Family Businesses by Strengthening Youth in 2024
In 2024, in many coffee-growing regions around the world rising coffee prices fueled hope among smallholder coffee farming families that they would be able to make a farm profit after years of hardship. The reality is more complex. Many smallholder farmers struggled with low productivity and rising costs. Higher coffee prices did not always generate higher income. General challenges such as increasing climate risks, a looming labor crisis and rural-urban migration of youth remained. Worldwide, about 395 million rural youth live in areas expected to experience declines in agricultural productivity potential due to climate change, according to the latest FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) report about the status of youth in agrifood systems.
Attractive Perspectives for Youth
In many rural communities, it can be observed that youth are losing interest in rural livelihoods. They do not see motivating benefits from farming activities and are more often migrating to urban centers leaving behind an aging farming population. Despite rapid urbanization, rural areas still accommodate 46 percent of the global youth population, according to the FAO report. Local concerns relate to generational change, family succession and coffee farming as family business. Responding to these concerns, youth engagement was identified as one key element of our project work in 2024.
Developing attractive perspectives for young people who live in coffee regions has turned out to be a decisive factor. Encouraging them to help build thriving communities contributes to improving their livelihoods and fighting the root causes of poverty and rural-urban migration. Youth are supported in developing their social and technical skills, identifying and pursuing job opportunities and recognizing possibilities for self-employment. Activities included training for youth in entrepreneurship and supporting alternative income opportunities beyond coffee.
Local Solutions Are Key
In 2024, we reached 24,891 smallholder households across Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Uganda with our project work. Significant progress was made in areas such as youth leadership, capacity-building activities for youth and women, and the use of participatory planning methods. This included joint planning sessions, community feedback mechanisms, and inclusive learning events that brought together farmers, youth, women leaders, and local stakeholders to discuss challenges, share practices, and co-develop local solutions.
ICP Activities from 2001 to 2024
projects have been implemented since ICP's foundation in 2001.
countries have been hosting ICP activities since 2001.
households have been reached throughout all regions since ICP's founding in 2001.
Euros have been invested by the ICP shareholders since 2001.
Country Highlights
Brazil
In Brazil we reached 1,093 coffee-farming households, including 26% youth. Four regional demonstration plots were established to promote climate-smart practices such as soil conservation, bio-inputs, and drought-tolerant varieties. Farmer organizations received governance training, enhancing youth and women participation in leadership roles.
We achieved substantial progress in building resilience among coffee-producing families and promoting sustainable practices. Trial plots in four key regions were successfully implemented, with practices such as containment basins, biofertilizers, and climate-resilient cultivars.
The Semear Program for Rural Youth
Young people (16–29 years old) from the Campo das Vertentes region were enrolled in the Semear Program, which equips them with the skills and opportunities to thrive in their local regions instead of migrating to urban centers.
They can choose between seven mentoring groups diving deep into different areas of knowledge such as: Coffee Growing & Climate Change; AgroDiversity: Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle & Grains; Entrepreneurship; Business Management; Technology in the Field; Financial Management; Coffee Quality & Marketing.
A special emphasis is put on Emotional Intelligence & Family Succession ensuring that the young participants develop essential interpersonal skills and learn strategies for successful family business transitions.
Honduras
In Honduras, we engaged 1,472 coffee-farming households, including 37% youth. A total of 13 trial plots on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) were established.
The Climate Pioneers program trained 56 youth in strengthening their capacity to analyze and respond to climate change challenges, while 250 youth received training in leadership and life skills, enhancing their capacity to contribute to family businesses and rural development.
94 microenterprises were developed and financed, including 36 led by youth and 58 by women, fostering economic growth and enhancing the long-term sustainability of coffee-farming families by diversifying income sources and empowering women and youth.
Indonesia
In Indonesia we engaged 14,851 coffee-farming households, of which 15% were youth. A total of 17 coffee cooperatives developed business plans, and 2 analog forestry trial plots were established to promote climate-smart practices.
Youth engagement was notably strengthened. Youth groups participated in agroforestry and roasting trainings, leading to the establishment of a youth-led coffee roasting initiative.
In Buay Rawan and Runjung Agung, youth participated in agroforestry programs, coffee roasting workshops, and alternative skills development. The Sinar Harapan Youth Group established a roasting initiative, aiming to scale from manual to semi-modern equipment. Youth expressed interest in formalizing business groups and receiving regular coaching on roasting and coffee cultivation management.
Tanzania
In Tanzania we engaged 2,395 coffee-farming households, of which 28% were youth. Twelve new farmer groups were formed, enrolling 360 members, including 120 youth. Youth groups and nursery operators received training in business planning and seedling propagation. 20 lead farmer promoters facilitated inclusive family business training on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) across four districts, where over 10,400 shade trees were planted, and nine demonstration plots were established.
Four new youth groups were formed, each with some 30 members, while 20 existing groups developed action plans based on self-assessment. Youth demonstrated strong commitment to sustainable agriculture, with activities also enhancing their understanding of market access, land ownership, and sustainable practices.
Uganda
In Uganda, we worked with 2,051 coffee farming households, of which 10% were youth. A total of 83 Producer Organizations were formed, and 18 cooperative extensionists were selected, 41% of whom were youth. Youth engagement advanced significantly with the identification of youth extensionists and a youth-specific needs assessment.
The extensionists reached out to 1,915 training contacts, including 244 youth and 885 women. Training content focused on good agronomic and climate-smart practices such as weeding, mulching, shade tree establishment, and pruning.
Global Reach in ICP Projects 2024
households were reached in 2024.
of youth participated in project activities and trainings in 2024.
of women engaged in trainings and project activities in 2024.
farmer organizations worked with ICP in 2024.
What Matters
Multi-dimensional Youth Engagement Is Key
Our projects have a participatory and inclusive approach tailoring content to local needs and incorporating continuous community feedback. These participatory elements are vital to ensuring the relevance, ownership, and long-term impact of local projects.
Programs like Semear in Brazil and a youth-led coffee roasting initiative in Indonesia enabled youth to participate as leaders and entrepreneurs. However, training alone is not enough to ensure meaningful and sustained youth participation.Youth engagement must be multi-dimensional. Countries like Indonesia and Brazil demonstrated that combining agricultural training with business development, vocational skills, and access to networks or financial resources significantly boosts motivation and long-term involvement.