Breaking Barriers in Coffee: E2E and the Canadian Embassy’s Work in Honduras
In late 2024, we shared the exciting news about our partnership with the Canadian Embassy through their Local Initiatives Grant, launching Café Empoderado—a project designed to advance gender equality in coffee production in Cantarranas. At that time, we were just getting started—laying the groundwork for training, conducting needs assessments, and preparing to empower 40 women producers with the skills and knowledge to take ownership of their place in the speciality coffee industry.
Now, as we move into 2025, this initiative is no longer just an idea—it’s a movement.
At Educate2Envision (E2E), we believe education should not stop at the classroom. True transformation happens when learning extends beyond students and reaches families and communities. Rural education should lead to economic opportunities, leadership, and real change.
Café Empoderado proves this belief in action. By training rural women in coffee production and business skills, we ensure knowledge is not just learned but used to uplift entire communities.
A Milestone Moment: The Canadian Ambassador’s Visit to Zurzular
On February 1st, we had the honor of welcoming the Canadian Ambassador to Honduras, along with the Head of the Canadian Embassy Office in Honduras, and the First Secretary of the Canadian Embassy.
Their visit to Zurzular was a powerful moment, as they met directly with the 40 women participating in Café Empoderado and saw firsthand how this initiative is transforming not only coffee production but gender dynamics in rural communities.
During the visit, the women producers shared their personal experiences—how, in the past, they worked the land but had no say in the sales, earnings, or future of their coffee farms. Now, through specialized training in coffee cultivation, business development, and leadership, they are stepping into roles of economic independence and decision-making.
“This training has given us more than skills—it has given us confidence. We are now feel a part of the process.” – Project Participant
This initiative directly aligns with E2E’s long-standing mission—that education should not be confined to textbooks and classrooms but should equip individuals with the tools to uplift their families and strengthen their communities.
A Key Milestone: Long-Term Commitment from Local Partners
One of the biggest successes of the visit was the formal signing of commitments by local partners. This solidified long-term investment in Café Empoderado, ensuring its future beyond the Canadian Embassy’s initial funding.
Key partners, including the Municipality of Cantarranas, Instituto Hondureño del Café (IHCAFE), and the Secretaría de Agricultura y Ganadería (SAG), committed to supporting women coffee producers long after this grant ends.
Their involvement will ensure:
– Technical training continues beyond 2025.
– Legal support for land ownership remains accessible to women.
– Opportunities to grow and sell coffee increase over time.
This milestone proves that local institutions see value in investing in women coffee farmers. They are now committed to sustaining this initiative for years to come.
Building a Future of Economic Independence
Through Café Empoderado, women in Cantarranas are:
- Gaining legal support to ensure land ownership rights—a crucial step toward long-term financial security.
- Learning advanced techniques in sustainable coffee cultivation, including the use of organic fertilizers.
- Developing skills in branding and marketing to sell their own coffee under the new “HonduMujer” brand.
- Receiving business training to increase profitability and access new markets, both locally and internationally.
These efforts aren’t just about coffee—they’re about changing the dynamics of gender roles in agriculture and ensuring that women have a seat at the table where decisions are made.
And at its core, this is what education is all about—equipping individuals with the knowledge and confidence to build a better future.
Scaling the Impact: What’s Next?
With the foundation in place, 2025 will be about growth. Over the next few months, we will:
– Expand training sessions to reach even more women coffee producers.
– Support the first official sales of coffee under the HonduMujer brand.
– Foster more strategic partnerships to ensure the sustainability of Café Empoderado.
This is only the beginning of a much larger movement toward economic justice and gender equity in Honduran coffee farming.
We are incredibly grateful to the Canadian Embassy for their belief in this project and to our partners and supporters who are helping make this vision a reality.