Capacity Building and Support of Coffee Farmers through the Rainforest Alliance Certification Standard for the Traceable Organic Coffee from Kenya

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Solidaridad Network is an international solution-oriented civil society organisation working through eight regional expertise centres to transform markets to make them more sustainable and inclusive. Our eight regional expertise centres include Asia, Eastern and Central Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, Southern Africa, South America, West Africa and our global Secretariat in the Netherlands. Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa, one of the regional centres, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with country offices and programmes in Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. We bring together supply chain players and engage them with innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximises the benefit for all. We facilitate strengthening of local capacity in developing countries, support the creation of enabling environments for economies to thrive, and improve market access. Solidaridad embraces the public-private and people partnerships (PPPP) in order to test innovations, speed up change, and take success to scale. Globally, Solidaridad works around Coffee and other 12 commodities/sectors (http://www.solidaridadnetwork.org)

2.0 The Traceable Organic Coffee from Kenya Project

The DMDP-funded Traceable Organic Coffee from Kenya project (TRACE Kenya), is supporting smallholder coffee farmers (30% women; 10% youth) to enable them to adopt responsible farming practices and convert from conventional to organic coffee production. TRACE Kenya is offering tailored interventions including interactive training on innovative organic coffee practices, facilitating access to high- yielding and disease-resistant coffee varieties and promoting eco-friendly technologies for organic coffee production. By promoting the adoption of innovative organic agricultural practices to 22,976 coffee farmers in the project regions (Kericho, Nandi, and Bungoma Counties), TRACE Kenya has also paved the way for the development of organic inputs supply chains and innovations which alongside the project interventions are anticipated to contribute to improved farmers’ productivity (volumes and quality), increased farmers’ incomes and creation of decent jobs. More specifically, TRACE Kenya is also contributing to job creation for youth in coffee. The project is equipping youth with the requisite skills and knowledge to enable them to explore on-and-off farm enterprises (economic opportunities).

Solidaridad is working with African Coffee Roasters (ACR) to deliver organic certified coffee to global markets by 2025. ACR will roast organic coffee locally and deliver sustainable coffee brands to their clients in Europe and beyond. The project aims to deliver premium coffees to global consumers, secure new markets for ACR, and competitive prices for local farmers to ensure better incomes and livelihoods. The project also strives to create an inclusive, market-driven, and sustainable coffee sub-sector that generates increased income opportunities and creates decent jobs.

Through our partnership with the Rabobank Foundation on ACORN, farmers have been introduced to carbon farming, this has made it possible for smallholder coffee farmers to earn extra income from selling both rainforest-certified cherry/green beans and Carbon Removal Units (CRU’s). Seedling nurseries established by the project are providing a revenue-generating stream for the cooperatives and employment for youths while also providing agroforestry seedlings that are helping farmers adapt to climate change in addition to implementing other climate-smart farming practices.

3.0 Background

The Rainforest Alliance Certification standard encourages sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and tourism, focusing on social, environmental, and economic sustainability. To obtain certification, farms and businesses must meet strict criteria related to biodiversity conservation, water management, fair labour practices, and community involvement.

The standard fosters eco-friendly agricultural methods that protect natural habitats, enhance biodiversity, and minimise chemical use, benefiting both the environment and local communities. It provides coffee farmers with essential training and resources, empowering them to improve their livelihoods. As a result, certified farms typically enjoy better market prices for their products, contributing to economic stability for farmers and their families. Key requirements of Rainforest Alliance Certification include safeguarding ecosystems, implementing sustainable farming techniques, and maintaining responsible wildlife management, alongside ensuring the fair treatment and rights of workers. The certification process involves third-party audits to verify compliance with these standards.

By achieving Rainforest Alliance Certification, organisations showcase their commitment to sustainability, improve competitiveness in the market, and promote consumer awareness of sustainably sourced goods. This certification ultimately supports the development of a sustainable global supply chain, benefiting all stakeholders in the coffee industry, from producers to consumers, while protecting vital ecosystems.

Farmer awareness and compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) are also critical for ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. By understanding this regulation, farmers can adopt methods that prevent deforestation and protect ecosystems, thus ensuring their products meet market requirements. Compliance not only facilitates access to international markets and enhances the value chain but also supports eco-friendly farming. Ultimately, by promoting sustainable practices, farmers contribute to climate resilience and biodiversity conservation, securing their livelihoods while adhering to stringent environmental standards in the global marketplace.

Together, these interconnected interventions—mitigation strategies, vulnerability assessments, climate-smart practices, carbon farming, and EUDR regulatory compliance—form a comprehensive approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change on coffee production and agricultural sustainability.

In response, Solidaridad through the Traceable Organic Coffee from Kenya Project seeks to:

1. Conduct a Gap Analysis to evaluate the Compliance of 10 entities (4 estates, 4 cooperatives and 2 millers) to the Rainforest Alliance Certification – This will help identify the extent to which they require support in a bid to develop an implementation/compliance plan. This should be finalised by 30th of November 2024.
2. Conduct OHS training as well as NEMA audits for all 10 entities, to be finalised by 30th November.
3. Make formal application to the approved Certification Body for external audits. Furthermore, support the entities through compliance including the collection of geo-location coordinates. This should be finalised by 15th December.
4. Conduct Internal Inspections in preparation for the external audits. This should also be finalised by 15th December.
5. Support entities through the external audit process and closing all identified Non-Conformities. This should be finalised by 15th February 2025.

4.1 Assignment Objective(s):

The overall objective of the assignment is to take smallholder coffee farmers through the Rainforest Alliance certification to meet emerging customer demands for access to markets. Additionally, with the Geo-location coordinates the framers will also be compliant with the EUDR directive ahead of the new deadline in December 2025.

Specific Objectives include;

1. Conduct a Gap Analysis against the Rainforest Alliance Standard for 10 entities.
2. Carry out OHS training and NEMA Audits for all entities in compliance to the standard.
3. Support the entities through compliance to the standard based on the identified gaps and standard requirements.
4. Conduct internal inspections in preparation for the external audits.
5. Guide and support the entities through external audits and closure of all identified NCs.

4.2 Scope of Work:

This Terms of Reference (TOR) seeks to have the consultant conduct the following;

1. Conduct a Gap Analysis for all 10 entities to identify areas of critical support and develop an implementation plan.
   1. Train relevant staff from the 8 entities on Occupational Health and Safety Procedures on the Farm, at the Wet Processing Unit and the Mill.
      1. Conduct an NEMA Audit for all 10 entities.
      2. Support the entities through application for external auditing by the CB on the RA Portal.
      3. Furthermore, support through documentation, collection of geo-polygons and other requirements as well internal inspections prior to the external Audits.
      4. Guide the 10 entities through external auditing and closure of all identified NCs.

4.3 Deliverables:

1. Work plan and expression of interest (EOI) for the assignment, outlining;

   • A detailed methodology for the implementation of the assignment.

     • A detailed work plan for the work.
     1. An inception report before the commencement of the assignment detailing the approach, methodology and general concept to the entire process.
     2. A detailed Gap Analysis Report.
     3. Rainforest Certificates for all 10 entities.
     4. Final assignment report.

2. Expert/Consultant’s Profile:

Qualified and experienced Consultancy Firms should develop a comprehensive expression of interest (E.O.I) outlining:

• A profile of the firm/consultant

• Firm/Consultants statement on the interpretation of the TOR

• Curriculum Vitaes’ of consultant/firm outlining qualifications and demonstrable experience in training on vermicomposting.

• A description of the methodology

• At least 3 references of similar assignments undertaken in the last 3 years

• Sample of some of the works delivered including but not limited to: reports, presentations and training modules.

• A detailed financial proposal (inclusive of relevant taxes) and a work plan for carrying out the assignment

6.0 Duration of the assignment.

The assignment is expected to take place within a maximum of 90 days after signing the contract. Application process:

The consultancy firms/companies are required to submit an EOI containing a statement on the candidate’s experience with similar assignments, curriculum vitae, financial proposal, and work plan by November 22nd, 2024 at 5:00pm (EAT). All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, those unable to meet the requirement will not be considered.

Each EOI submission should be not more than 5 pages and include the following:

• A brief proposal for the study with methodology and work plan.
• A sample/samples of previous related work.
• A financial proposal with a budget with breakdowns of different costs involved, to the finer detail. A budget with aggregated figures will not be accepted.
• Updated CVs for the team leader and team members (each CV not more than 2 pages).
• Contact details of 3 references with complete contact information (i.e. name, organisation, title position, address, email, telephone).