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

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 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

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

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

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.