Who we are
The Center for Circular Economy in Coffee (C4CEC) is the first precompetitive platform for enhancing Circular Economy in the coffee sector.
The Center provides a platform for putting circular economy into practice, piloting innovations, furthering research, and collecting and sharing all good practices, solutions, case studies, and practical information about circular economy as applied to the coffee value chain, from the coffee farming to the coffee consumption and disposal.
The Center is set up in Turin (IT) but supported by international partners, with the ambition and objective to collect and share all good practices, solutions, studies and practical information about circular economy as applied to the coffee value chain, from the coffee farming to the consumption and end of life.
The Scientific Board leverages cutting edge research from universities and academic centers, building upon transformative approaches from Slow Food and Sys-Systemic Design Lab.
ITC’s Coffee Guide Network Circular Economy Working Group, in close partnership with ICO and UNIDO, serves as a multi-stakeholders forum for individuals to understand, envision and shape the direction of circular economy in the coffee sector.
The working group’s work and findings contribute to the resources and data shared through C4CEC. Individuals interested in participating in the working group’s dialogues and creating new, practical resources for the coffee sector can contact info@circulareconomyincoffee.org
What we do
The Center aims to make know-how related to circularity in the coffee sector accessible to a diverse group of stakeholders: companies, associations, universities, institutions, and small and medium enterprises, as well as local communities and other coffee stakeholders.
Through a collaborative approach, the Center will enhance the environmental, social, cultural, and economic sustainability of the coffee value circle and will assist coffee stakeholders through knowledge transfer and mobilization of resources for the adaptation and implementation of circular solutions, while promoting the acceleration of the Circular Economy in the coffee sector.
IMPROVE AND PROMOTE CIRCULAR ECONOMY CULTURE
Organization of courses, resources, and learning pathways to share of good practices, research, studies and practical information how-to guides about circular economy in the coffee value chain circle.
PROJECT PLATFORM
Creation of a convening a multi-stakeholder knowledge sharing network to develop and disseminate evidence-based good practices in coffee sector. The initiatives will be approved by the Scientific Board.
PILOT PROJECT AND RESEARCH
We offer customized member support for developing ideas, pilot projects, or know-how related to circularity. Support to every entity that will ask for help in developing ideas or that will want to share its know-how about sustainability projects in the coffee sector.
“We aim to challenge the outdated perception that coffee producers gain value solely from the coffee bean itself. I firmly believe that everyone in the coffee sector – coffee farmers, workers, industry stakeholders, and consumers – can play a crucial role in driving the shift toward a more sustainable and resilient industry. By repurposing “waste” into new products and alternative energy sources, we can unlock significant income possibilities and job opportunities while simultaneously lowering production costs. The International Coffee Organization is proud to be a founding member of the C4CEC. We encourage all coffee stakeholders to join this platform and work towards a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable coffee sector.”
Vanusia Nogueira, ICO Executive Director
