With great sadness, Progreso says goodbye to Angel Mario: a warm personality, a natural connector, and a dear colleague and friend.
Angel Mario was involved from the early days of Stichting Green Development, the predecessor of Stichting Progreso, where he grew into an indispensable force within the network. As our Supervisory Board member Huub Keulen recalls: “He was happy with his job, happy with the team and happy with Amsterdam, where he had found his place. His positivity and thoughtfulness left a lasting impression on everyone.”
Supervisory Board member Minke van Rees remembers how they grew together in their work: “We grew together in our work. Both of us eventually even in a director’s position. This wasn’t even a specific goal or ambition for either of us, as long as we could have impact.” And impact, he certainly had. Huub adds: “Angel Mario gave a lot, but also got a lot done in return, and in doing so he left an essential mark on the work and impact of Progreso.”
As a natural relationship builder, Angel Mario effortlessly connected with others. Minke recalls how he navigated with ease “between African cooperatives, traders, financiers or government institutions.” His dedication, his warm approach, and his ability to build bridges will always be remembered.
On a personal level too, many of us felt deeply connected to him. As Minke shares: “I am so grateful that he got to experience fatherhood. And that his children got to experience him as a father, only for far, far too short a time.”
With Angel Mario, we lose more than a colleague. As Huub puts it: “As if a part of ourselves has disappeared.”
We cherish the memories and wish his family, friends, and loved ones much strength. Angel Mario, you will always be in our hearts.
It’s not easy to say goodbye to someone who’s made such a lasting impact in a short time. After these past few years of her time at Progreso, we’ve said farewell to our Managing Director, Anneke Goede. And while her departure leaves us a little nostalgic, we mostly feel proud and grateful for her leadership, her care, and everything we’ve built together during her time at Progreso.
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
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.
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!
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.
We are pleased to welcome a new colleague, Phiona Nakusi to the Progreso team, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge from nearly two decades in the coffee industry.
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.
In September 2024, Progreso Foundation, Rabo Foundation, and Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) visited Koperasi Kopi Lintong Humbang Hasundutan in North Sumatra to monitor the cooperative’s progress. The team included representatives from Progreso, Rabo Foundation, and LDC, including program managers and agronomists.
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.
