Winners Cup of Excellent Experiences

In September we announced the nominees of the Cup of Excellent Experiences. Now, we are very proud to be able to present you the winner of the Cup of Excellent Experiences of 2008:  

ARPAC - a producer organisation in Cuzco, Peru - providing local market access to small scale producers

Our jury mentioned that "the local market is often forgotten but certainly stimulates economy. Above all, ARPAC´s experience shows very interesting and relevant multi-stakeholder alliances with local authorities".

On October 15 more than 80 representatives of national and international organisations, congress members, ambassadors and the representative of the European Union in Peru gathered in Lima for the award ceremony. The award was handed over by the Dutch Ambassador in Peru, Mr. Barend van der Heijden.

For a full press release : http://www.progresonetwork.org/en/news/news/news_uitgebreid?id=29

Cecocafen gets A.van Weely award

Cecocafen, a coffee cooperative in Nicaragua, excelled in developing a credit system to stimulate women empowerment. Jury member Edith van Walsum, director ILEIA: ‘'Women empowerment often takes a backseat. We just cannot take it for granted that women will be truly empowered even if they participate. It requires focused efforts, as this experience shows"

Cecocafen received the A. van Weely award, sponsored by the Fair trade and Organic certified coffee importer in the Netherlands "A. van Weely B.V." On October 10 the award was handed over by Progreso Network, with participation of a great number of producers and other organisations.

For a press release please visit : http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/departamentales/29803#top

Third place for Central Kenya Dairy

Central Kenya Dairy described the set-up of partnerships to improve the dairy production quality. Jury member Tatiana Lara Pineda: "By embedding stakeholder alliances within the organisational structure, Central Kenya Dairy managed to ensure well integrated, different types of technical assistance".

Central Kenya Dairy received the awards on October 10. Douglas Githaiga, director of the organisation: "The farmers were full of joy to know that through their experiences many other organizations worldwide are able to learn from them. The climax was the award of $2.000, and every farmer wanted to be taken photos of with the award.

KNCU's tourism programme fourth price

KNCU illustrated according to Ruerd Ruben, Director of CIDIN at Radboud University Nijmegen, that the "idea of a sustainable mainstream eco-tourism project is an excellent example of income diversification" which can be implemented by other producer organisations as well.

KNCU was proud to be selected as one of the winners of the Cup of Excellent Experiences. Farjaja, Assistant Project Manager of KNCU: "The rising spirits of the farmers from receiving the award plus the recognition of the good job we have done together increased our determination. And, we have hope that this recognition will bring even more people to the Kahawa Shamba Coffee Tours''.

For a full story, told by Faraja Assistant KNCU tourism project : 
http://www.progresonetwork.org/en/news/news/news_uitgebreid?id=30