SHIFT Social Impact Solutions

SHIFT Social Impact Solutions aims to amplify connection and impact across the coffee value chain through improved transparency and collaboration in order to see a more equitable coffee industry, where producers are working with partners along the supply chain to create value and share the profits of the work fairly.

To achieve this vision, SHIFT works with forward thinking companies, organisations and institutions to implement programmes that increase profitability while creating more effective and sustainable supply chains, that lead to higher incomes and better livelihoods for producers. Their work includes developing programmes at origin, within the supply chain, and within the broader market that result in greater investment and sourcing communities.

SHIFT contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by working with companies to contribute to sustainable sourcing strategies that deliver targeted social impact for producers, industry and society.

Donors/Partners:

SHIFT implements projects through strong partnerships with local, private sector companies such as Great Lakes Coffee Uganda and Coffeelac DRC. Support for projects has been provided by GIZ, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Farmer Bros., MasterCard Foundation Fund for Rural Prosperity, Strauss Coffees and ELAN RDC.

Key activities:

SHIFT Social Impact Solutions develops living income benchmarks and productivity tools to gain a deeper understanding on the costs of production and of a decent living in different contexts, to help improve farmers’ livelihoods in an economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable way.

SHIFT works with coffee supply chain stakeholders (e.g. producers, export partners, roasters and financial institutions) to implement traceability solutions. Through the integration of technology and business process design, they focus on traceability and transparency systems that support better business decisions.

SHIFT partners with farmer organizations, exporters, roasters, NGOs and financial institutions to achieve greater impact in coffee growing communities through the design, management and communication of sourcing strategies and development initiatives. They provide support at origin to increase productivity, work to make supply chains more transparent and responsible, and spearhead consumer outreach, industry engagement and advocacy to cultivate ideas and develop partnerships.

Signature projects/tools:

• Sustainable Living Incomes in Uganda (https://www.shiftsocialimpact.com/ugandalivingincomes)
• Kalaamugosi Women’s Empowerment (https://www.shiftsocialimpact.com/kalaamugosi)
• MasterCard Fund for Rural Prosperity (https://www.shiftsocialimpact.com/mastercardfrp)

Priority Countries and corresponding areas of activities:

Brazil: Water conservation – Forest conservation & restoration – Sourcing policies – Technical assistance – Renovation – Access to inputs – Access to finance

Democratic Republic of Congo: Gender, youth & indigenous peoples – Technical assistance – Access to inputs – Access to finance

Mexico: Sourcing policies – Technical assistance

Rwanda: Gender, youth & indigenous peoples – Sourcing policies – Technical assistance – Access to finance

Uganda: Gender, youth & indigenous peoples – Labour Conditions – Water conservation – Forest conservation & restoration – Sourcing policies – Technical assistance – renovation – Access to finance – Standards/certification