Annual Report 2024 out now!

In 2024, we faced a year of both challenge and opportunity—with record-high coffee and cocoa prices, shifting markets, and growing regulatory demands like the EU deforestation law. Yet through it all, I’m proud of how Progreso has continued to stand by producer organizations, adapting and growing stronger. Together with our dedicated teams across seven countries, we expanded our reach, built new partnerships, and strengthened tools like Beyco to support more traceable and resilient supply chains. As we look to 2025, I remain confident in our shared mission: unlocking market access and building a fairer future for smallholder farmers.
– Anneke Goede

Read the full Annual Report here

In 2024, Progreso made important progress in diversifying its funding sources and strengthening internal operations to support long-term sustainability. With the support of our new Partnerships Manager, Daan Mulder, we explored new opportunities and secured commitments from multiple donors. A strong example is our expanded work in Côte d’Ivoire—what started with Rabo Foundation has grown into a multi-donor initiative with SEM Foundation and Oikocredit, supporting six cooperatives.Internally, we improved consistency in communication and proposal development, and fully integrated our overhead revenue system introduced in 2023. Our active presence at events such as Chocoa, SCA, and Salon du Chocolat helped connect us with buyers and traders, strengthening the Beyco for Cocoa platform. Collaborations with GIZ and other NGOs also took shape.We renewed key partnerships, including Rabo Foundation’s support across five countries, and deepened our work with Oikocredit through the SSNUP initiative. Looking ahead to 2025, we aim to secure at least two donors per country and expand our Progreso Fund, combining technical assistance with trade finance. We’ll also focus on reinforcing the link between Progreso and Beyco. With 2024 laying a strong foundation, we’re ready to grow our impact in 2025.

Beyco in 2024

In 2024, Beyco accelerated its impact in digital cocoa trade, launching the Beyco Cocoa platform and expanding from dried beans to liquor and butter. Successful rollouts in Côte d’Ivoire, Peru, and Colombia demonstrated strong cooperative interest in Beyco’s decentralized model, which ensures full data ownership and transparency.

Beyco adapted its systems to meet EU deforestation-free supply chain (EUDR) requirements, enabling cooperatives—like one in Uganda—to benefit financially from compliance. The shift to working with local service providers boosted global reach, with promising collaborations in Kenya and Indonesia. Looking ahead, Progreso’s 2025–2030 strategy focuses on enhancing Beyco’s affordability, EUDR capabilities, and data literacy training to empower producer organizations.

Latin America in 2024

In 2024, Progreso reinforced the resilience of cooperatives in Peru, Colombia, and Nicaragua through technical assistance, access to finance, and strengthened market linkages. With partners such as Rabo Foundation and Solidaridad, we enhanced financial management, supported adaptation to market and regulatory demands, and promoted traceability, especially under the EU Deforestation Regulation. Programs like Blueprint Café and the newly launched Blueprint Cacao have empowered cooperatives with agroforestry design training and flexible loan schemes. The Progreso Fund remained solid, expanding in Nicaragua while maturing in Peru and Colombia. Across all countries, digital tools like Beyco were central to improving data use, financial planning, and compliance.

Our 2025 priorities include scaling impact through improved governance, targeted financial instruments, and strategic partnerships with actors like IDH, ADA, and Swisscontact. By deepening our support and refining our tools, Progreso is enabling smallholder organizations to thrive in increasingly demanding and competitive markets.

Africa in 2024

In 2024, Progreso deepened its support to 21 coffee and cocoa cooperatives across Uganda, Rwanda, and Côte d’Ivoire through tailored technical assistance, capacity building, and access to finance. In Uganda, support focused on strengthening internal governance and aligning loans with tailored TA to enhance resilience.

In Rwanda, efforts targeted business planning and credit-readiness, while Côte d’Ivoire saw a new partnership with SEM Foundation to improve cooperative governance and climate-resilient farming. Across countries, Progreso worked closely with Rabo Foundation and other partners to support cooperatives with financing, digital onboarding through Beyco, and market access. Lessons learned emphasized the need to strengthen internal structures before scaling TA.

In 2025, Progreso will refine its onboarding criteria, deepen financial support, and continue aligning TA with market opportunities, including the first union-led cocoa exports from Côte d’Ivoire. The focus remains on building strong, self-reliant cooperatives able to secure financing, access markets, and drive sustainable, farmer-led development.

Indonesia in 2024

In 2024, Progreso Indonesia supported 14 coffee and cocoa partners across Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Flores, and Bali through financial training, operational guidance, and strategic networking. Six cooperatives accessed working capital loans via Rabo Foundation’s on-lending program, while Ontosoroh Coffee and Makmur Sejahtera transitioned to direct Rabo financing.

Ontosoroh expanded its sourcing and continued exports to This Side Up, and Makmur Sejahtera partnered with Sucafina to supply over 200 tons of Java Robusta. At Jacoweek, Beyco engaged producers on EUDR compliance through digital traceability and joined a panel on sustainability in the premium market. Partners Rejo Mulyo and Lodra Mandiri competed in the Cup of the Year, showcasing their quality coffees. In October, Progreso joined the SCAJ Expo in Tokyo, where partners presented coffees from across Indonesia and shared insights into our inclusive value chain approach, supported by a Rabo Foundation-funded project.

Meet Marie Gbla: our newest Project Officer Côte d’Ivoire

With a new member in our team, of course, we couldn’t pass up the chance to chat with her and learn more! Keep reading for our interview with Marie.

Marie: ´Agriculture has always been a big part of my journey. I started my studies in agricultural economics and rural development at ESA/INPHB in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire. Later, I continued at BFH/HAFL in Switzerland, where I gained a broader perspective on global agricultural supply chains, value chains, and sustainability.

I’ve had the chance to work on exciting projects in both Côte d’Ivoire and Switzerland, mainly in the cocoa sector. My focus has been on market analysis, project coordination, and research to help make agriculture more sustainable. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and creating better opportunities for them.

Excited to Be Part of Progreso

Joining Progreso feels like the perfect fit, as it combines my passion for sustainable agriculture with real impact. I’m eager to collaborate with the team, learn from the field, and develop innovative strategies that truly benefit farmers.

What excites me most is working with different stakeholders—bringing together farmers, markets, and sustainable solutions. I believe real change happens when we work together, and I can’t wait to contribute to Progreso’s mission.

A Personal Touch

Outside of work, I love discovering new cultures through food and travel. Whether it’s trying unique flavors or exploring a country’s history, I’m always up for an adventure! Each journey brings new inspiration, both personally and professionally.

I’m looking forward to this new chapter with Progreso and making a meaningful impact together!´

We thank Marie for her time and for the interview and cannot wait to share more of the work she will be doing with Progreso!

Meet our new Supervisory Board Member: Iris van der Velden

Iris brings a wealth of experience in international economics, sustainability, and social impact to her role as Program Director for Equity Action at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). With a Master’s degree in International Economics, Iris has dedicated her career to improving lives through strategic partnerships, innovation, and creating inclusive solutions.

Her journey began at Rabobank Foundation, where she managed a program portfolio aimed at supporting farmer organizations and microfinance institutions in Asia. Her work laid the foundation for her commitment to sustainable development and social impact.

Iris later joined IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative, where she served as the Global Director for Innovation & Insights and as a member of the Management Team. At IDH, she played a pivotal role in driving forward critical innovations, particularly in the areas of Living Income, Living Wages, Inclusive Business Models, Gender Equity, and integrating the Climate and Social Agendas into the core of business strategies. Her ability to foster change through collaboration and innovation set the stage for the sustainable transformations seen across industries.

Before her current role, Iris worked with Olam Food Ingredients (ofi), a leading agribusiness company, as the Head of AtSource Insights & Data. Here, she led initiatives that empowered businesses with data-driven insights to improve sourcing practices and sustainability efforts across the supply chain.

In December 2024, Iris joined WBCSD as Program Director for Equity Action, where she focuses on advancing the social aspect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. With a keen passion for leveraging the private sector to deliver positive impact for both people and the planet, Iris is committed to scaling solutions that benefit farmers, communities, and vulnerable populations around the world.

As a member of the Supervisory Board of Progreso, Iris is actively involved in initiatives such as data democracy and Beyco, furthering her dedication to enabling inclusive, data-driven decision-making processes that support sustainable agriculture and social equity.

Iris’s leadership and vision continue to inspire change, creating pathways for businesses to deliver measurable, positive impact at scale.

MECAHC Secures Major Loan from Root Capital 

MECAHC, one of our partners in Uganda, has secured a substantial loan of USD 200,000 from Root Capital. This critical financial boost allows them to strengthen their business, expand their reach, and maintain their independence. It’s a milestone that reflects MECAHC’s growing capacity and resilience in the competitive coffee market, and it highlights how Progreso’s support can open doors to larger financing opportunities. 

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Building Partnerships for Coffee Success in Uganda: A Joint Visit by Rabo Foundation and Progreso Foundation

Earlier this month, a key visit took place to three coffee cooperatives in Eastern Uganda—MEACCE, MECAHC, and Bushika—by Anne Rappoldt (Program Manager Africa at Rabo Foundation), Imke Straaten (Program Manager Africa at Progreso Foundation), and Janet Maate (Project Manager Uganda at Progreso Foundation). These cooperatives are great examples of how targeted support and collaboration can significantly boost the coffee sector in Uganda.

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Beyco, a new cocoa adventure in Côte d’Ivoire

From September 8th to 21st, Progreso’s Federica Marra – Senior Product Owner at Beyco – and Natan Yao – Progreso’s Project Manager for Cote d’ Ivoire – travelled from west to east across Cote d’ Ivoire, exploring cocoa plantations and meeting dedicated producers and innovative technologies along the way. 

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Students from EAE Business School Barcelona collaborate with Progreso & Beyco to improve sustainable coffee production

Over the past months and as a part of their Final Master Thesis students from the Master in Big Data & Analytics at EAE Business School Barcelona have collaborated with the Netherland-based NGO, Progreso and Beyco, a blockchain coffee trading platform, to conduct and analysis of the overlaps between Progreso´s Colombian coffee plots and deforestation areas under the EU Regulations.

The research project examines the overlap between Progreso-supported coffee farming regions and deforestation areas, particularly in Colombia, in response to the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR). As part of their research, the students have developed a geospatial data analysis framework to identify these overlaps.

Colombia was chosen due to its significant data availability on deforestation and coffee farming, provided by Progreso. This enables thorough analysis and robust conclusions. The framework aims for scalability, helping Progreso proactively assess environmental risks across its network using satellite imagery and geospatial data.

According to Federica Marra, Senior Product Owner Beyco: “It was great to collaborate with the EAE School and its students. It allowed Progreso to experiment on an important topic like geodata, EUDR compliance and the fight against deforestation, and it gave us great insight into how we could move forward in the future.“

The study focused on the environmental impact of coffee production, specifically its intersection with deforestation hotspots. It aims to support Progreso in enhancing sustainable coffee production practices and complying with EU regulations on deforestation-free products.

Nicolas Raimundez, from EAE Barcelona, who completed his Master’s Final Project (TFM) on this project, remarked: “Progreso’s collaboration with EAE Barcelona highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing. Together, we tackled environmental challenges through data-driven approaches.” 

Also, Fernando Luevano, a student from EAE Barcelona and part of this Master’s Final Project stated, “The synergy between EAE Business School Barcelona students and Progreso, showcased the power of multidisciplinary teamwork in addressing meaningful causes like deforestation and bringing about scalable solutions.”

Towards a sustainable coffee production

The project developed by Nicolas Raimundez, Fernando Luevano, Daniel Castro, Daniel Lyons and Sofia Ntalla, EAE Barcelona’s students of the Master in Big Data & Analytics emphasizes sustainable coffee production and geospatial analysis to meet EU deforestation regulations. Developing a scalable framework to identify overlaps between Progreso-supported coffee regions and deforestation areas, supports Progreso’s sustainability goals and sets a precedent for future research. The research underscores the effectiveness of data-driven approaches in addressing environmental challenges and highlights the need for ongoing innovation in data-sharing methods.

The Streamlit dashboard for Huila, Colombia, features a dynamic map aiding EU importers in verifying coffee origins and empowering farmers with conservation insights. It can scale to other regions like Peru, Nicaragua, and Rwanda, enhancing credibility through KPI tracking and proactive risk management. Challenges include data availability, computational resources, and remote internet access. Suggestions include real-time satellite integration, user training, and continuous improvement based on feedback.

Major updates to the Beyco Farmer App

Please see the Beyco website at www.beyco.nl

We are excited to announce a major update to the Beyco Farmer App, packed with new features designed to revolutionize the cocoa trade. Here’s a detailed look at what you can expect with this week’s release.

Cocoa sellers can now access loans directly through our platform, providing crucial financial support to help them grow and manage their operations more effectively. Our loan module has been updated to cater to coffee and cocoa sellers, ensuring that all our users can benefit from financial assistance tailored to their needs.

Traders and buyers can now request cocoa samples through the platform, simplifying the process of evaluating and purchasing cocoa products, fostering better decision-making and smoother transactions.

Cocoa deliveries can now be grouped within the BFA Dashboard, offering a more organized and streamlined approach to managing multiple deliveries, and enhancing overall efficiency. Additionally, you can publish cocoa deliveries as offers directly from the BFA Dashboard, facilitating quicker and more effective trading.

Sellers can now directly publish dried beans offers from the BFA, increasing visibility and making it easier for potential buyers to access these products. Traders also benefit by being able to sell and combine the dried beans they have in stock, providing more flexibility and better inventory management.

Both sellers and traders can now create liquor offers. Sellers can start from scratch or convert their dried beans into liquor, while traders can manage their liquor stocks, starting from zero, buying from sellers, or converting their dried beans. This conversion process maintains product traceability, ensuring transparency and quality control throughout the supply chain.

We’ve made significant improvements in how prices, differentials, and quantities are displayed during negotiations and in contracts, ensuring clearer and more accurate information for all parties involved. Our updated website now features a comprehensive ‘About Beyco’ page, providing detailed insights into our mission, values, and the services we offer.

We’ve also enhanced the user interface for cocoa offers. This includes a page views counter, allowing users to check how many times their offer page has been visited, and an accordion feature for easily viewing offers with multiple products. Based on user research, we’ve re-ordered the information to align with user preferences and needs.

Finally, we’ve improved our error messages to provide more detailed feedback. Users will now receive specific messages when their password is incorrect and clear indications when uploads fail due to file size issues.

Stay tuned for more updates and enhancements, and as always, we welcome your feedback to help us make Beyco even better!