Kenya Coffee School Feasibility Study

Pilot Research Project on Bilateral Labour and Trade Agreements for Coffee Sustainability and Youth Opportunities

Project Title

Kenya Coffee School Pilot Research Project: Developing Policy Frameworks for Coffee Sustainability, Decent Work, Youth Employment, and International Trade Cooperation

Executive Summary

The coffee sector remains one of the most important agricultural industries globally, supporting millions of farmers, workers, traders, processors, baristas, and entrepreneurs. However, coffee-producing countries continue to face challenges including low farm profitability, youth disengagement, climate change, limited value addition, and unequal participation in global coffee markets.

Through this feasibility study, Kenya Coffee School seeks to establish a pilot research initiative aimed at identifying, adapting, and promoting best-practice policies, bilateral labour agreements, and international trade frameworks that enhance coffee sustainability while creating equitable opportunities for young people in coffee-producing countries.

The study will generate evidence-based recommendations for governments, development agencies, coffee organizations, educational institutions, and private sector stakeholders.

Background

Coffee contributes significantly to rural livelihoods, foreign exchange earnings, and employment across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Yet many coffee-producing regions face:

  • Aging farmer populations.
  • Youth migration away from agriculture.
  • Limited access to coffee education.
  • Climate-related production risks.
  • Unequal distribution of value across the supply chain.
  • Inadequate labour protections.
  • Limited access to international markets.

As global demand for ethically sourced and sustainably produced coffee grows, there is increasing need for policy frameworks that support:

  • Decent work.
  • Sustainable production.
  • Youth entrepreneurship.
  • Gender inclusion.
  • Value addition at origin.
  • Fair trade partnerships.

Research Vision

To position Kenya as a leading centre for coffee education, research, policy innovation, and youth empowerment while contributing to international efforts that advance sustainable coffee economies.

Research Goal

To assess and develop adaptable policy models and bilateral cooperation frameworks that promote:

  1. Sustainable coffee production.
  2. Decent labour conditions.
  3. Youth participation in coffee value chains.
  4. Climate resilience.
  5. Fair international trade.
  6. Value addition within coffee-producing countries.

Research Objectives

Objective 1: Labour Policy Review

Evaluate existing labour frameworks affecting coffee workers in producing and consuming countries.

Areas of focus:

  • Youth employment.
  • Seasonal labour.
  • Migrant workers.
  • Living wages.
  • Occupational safety.
  • Gender equity.

Benchmarking against standards from:

  • International Labour Organization
  • United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Objective 2: Bilateral Trade Agreement Analysis

Study existing trade agreements involving coffee-producing countries and identify opportunities to integrate:

  • Sustainability incentives.
  • Youth employment targets.
  • Skills development provisions.
  • Technology transfer.
  • Climate adaptation financing.

Potential case studies:

  • European Union partnerships.
  • Brazil coffee policies.
  • Colombia coffee sector models.
  • Ethiopia coffee development frameworks.
  • Rwanda specialty coffee strategies.

Objective 3: Youth in Coffee Research

Investigate barriers and opportunities for youth participation across:

  • Coffee farming.
  • Coffee processing.
  • Coffee roasting.
  • Barista careers.
  • Coffee entrepreneurship.
  • Coffee technology.
  • Coffee tourism.

Research Questions:

  • Why are young people leaving coffee farming?
  • What skills are most demanded?
  • How can coffee education increase youth participation?
  • What financing mechanisms best support youth-owned coffee enterprises?

Objective 4: Sustainability and Climate Policy Assessment

Examine policies promoting:

  • Regenerative agriculture.
  • Agroforestry.
  • Carbon-smart coffee production.
  • Biodiversity conservation.
  • Water management.
  • Circular economy practices.

Objective 5: Value Addition and Industrial Development

Assess opportunities to increase:

  • Local roasting.
  • Packaging.
  • Branding.
  • Specialty coffee exports.
  • Coffee tourism.
  • Coffee museums and cultural heritage initiatives.

Pilot Policy Innovation Framework

The feasibility study will explore the creation of a:

Coffee Sustainability and Youth Development Agreement (CSYDA)

A model bilateral cooperation framework that could be adopted between coffee-producing and coffee-consuming countries.

Core Components

Labour and Human Rights

  • Decent work standards.
  • Youth employment commitments.
  • Gender inclusion.
  • Skills certification recognition.

Education and Skills Development

  • Coffee academies.
  • Barista training centres.
  • International exchange programs.
  • Research collaborations.

Sustainability

  • Climate-smart agriculture.
  • Carbon reduction initiatives.
  • Sustainable sourcing standards.

Economic Development

  • Youth enterprise funds.
  • Value addition incentives.
  • Export promotion programs.

Proposed Pilot Countries

Phase One could involve engagement with:

  • Kenya
  • Uganda
  • Rwanda
  • Ethiopia

while establishing learning partnerships with:

  • Germany
  • Netherlands
  • United States
  • Japan

Expected Outcomes

Policy Outputs

  • Coffee Sustainability Policy Framework.
  • Youth in Coffee Policy Framework.
  • Bilateral Trade Cooperation Model.
  • Labour Standards Toolkit.
  • Coffee Skills Recognition Framework.

Educational Outputs

  • Coffee career pathway models.
  • Coffee entrepreneurship curriculum.
  • Youth coffee leadership programs.
  • International coffee internship framework.

Economic Outputs

  • Increased youth participation.
  • Enhanced value addition.
  • New coffee enterprises.
  • Improved export competitiveness.

Kenya Coffee School’s Strategic Role

Under the leadership of Alfred Gitau Mwaura and Alice Murugi Gathige, Kenya Coffee School will serve as:

  • A coffee policy research hub.
  • A centre for coffee workforce development.
  • A platform for youth empowerment.
  • A bridge between producers, industry, academia, and policymakers.
  • A catalyst for international cooperation in sustainable coffee development.

Long-Term Vision

The pilot feasibility study will lay the foundation for establishing a Coffee Sustainability, Trade and Youth Development Observatory, hosted by Kenya Coffee School, to monitor labour trends, sustainability performance, youth participation, and international cooperation across coffee-producing countries.

The ultimate objective is to create a globally recognized model where coffee education, sustainability, trade, labour rights, and youth empowerment work together to transform coffee-producing communities and ensure equitable participation in the future coffee economy.