Introducing the first cohort of Everyone's Business programme!
Meet the 11 social enterprises contributing to a more inclusive, sustainable, and hopeful Sweden.
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70%
Supports Afro-Colombian smallholder farmers in Colombia to access fair markets and stable incomes through cooperative cacao and coconut production.
Tumaco, Nariño, a region in southwestern Colombia has long faced challenges like armed conflict, rural isolation, and limited access to markets and infrastructure. Many famers in river communities and traditionally, they’ve had to rely on informal middlemen to sell their crops, who often pay less than market prices and delay payments. This leaves families with little bargaining power and unstable incomes.
30%
Location
Tumaco, Nariño, Colombia
Programme
South America Accelerator Programme
in partnership with NESsT
Website
https://www.coagropacifico.com
Since 1989, the Cooperativa Multiactiva Agropecuaria del Pacifico, known as Coagropacífico, a producer-owned cooperative, has helped smallholder cacao and coconut farmers find stable buyers, making it easier for them to earn steady incomes from their farms.
Coagropacífico brings together, sorts, and sells its members’ products, which helps them reach formal markets with clear and predictable buying conditions. Farmers get purchasing agreements and receive payments more quickly and reliably, making it easier for them to plan for the future and support their families.
The cooperative used to focus mainly on selling coconuts, but in recent years it has also started working with cacao. This helps members earn money from more than one crop and makes the cooperative stronger for the future. Diversifying is especially important in rural areas that are vulnerable to market changes and climate impacts on crops.
Today, about 90% of Coagropacífico’s suppliers are Afro-Colombian farmers living in areas affected by conflict and high levels of coca cultivation and trafficking. The cooperative not only helps them access markets but also offers more stable economic options for families who have struggled with low incomes and the impact of illegal economies. By providing technical support to improve crop quality, Coagropacífico supports these farmers in building better livelihoods.
The cooperative has a long history, strong governance, and a reputation that is closely connected to the region. Many members are now from the second generation, showing its lasting impact. By creating opportunities and incentives, Coagropacífico encourages young people in vulnerable situations to build legal livelihoods, which supports peace and long-term development in the area.
“We’re very grateful to the NESsT team for supporting us in strengthening our operations and for helping us find ways to connect with other institutions that can support our cooperative. We hope NESsT can continue supporting its community of enterprises and other organisations like Coagropacífico.
— Victor Quiñones Quiñones , General Manager, Coagropacífico
Coagropacífico brings together, sorts, and sells its members’ products, which helps them reach formal markets with clear and predictable buying conditions. Farmers get purchasing agreements and receive payments more quickly and reliably, making it easier for them to plan for the future and support their families.
The cooperative used to focus mainly on selling coconuts, but in recent years it has also started working with cacao. This helps members earn money from more than one crop and makes the cooperative stronger for the future. Diversifying is especially important in rural areas that are vulnerable to market changes and climate impacts on crops.
Today, about 90% of Coagropacífico’s suppliers are Afro-Colombian farmers living in areas affected by conflict and high levels of coca cultivation and trafficking. The cooperative not only helps them access markets but also offers more stable economic options for families who have struggled with low incomes and the impact of illegal economies. By providing technical support to improve crop quality, Coagropacífico supports these farmers in building better livelihoods.
The cooperative has a long history, strong governance, and a reputation that is closely connected to the region. Many members are now from the second generation, showing its lasting impact. By creating opportunities and incentives, Coagropacífico encourages young people in vulnerable situations to build legal livelihoods, which supports peace and long-term development in the area.
“We’re very grateful to the NESsT team for supporting us in strengthening our operations and for helping us find ways to connect with other institutions that can support our cooperative. We hope NESsT can continue supporting its community of enterprises and other organisations like Coagropacífico.
— Victor Quiñones Quiñones , General Manager, Coagropacífico
Programme support
The South America Accelerator programme will support Coagropacífico in strengthening its day-to-day operations and improving how it processes and sells coconut and cacao products. Additionally, Coagropacífico aims to improve its environmental and product quality practices and upgrade equipment and safety conditions at its processing plant.