Kenya Coffee School (KCS) and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP).
Kenya Coffee School x Global Center on Adaptation (GCA)
Building Climate-Smart Coffee and Tea Education for Africa’s Resilient Future
1. Background
Kenya Coffee School (KCS) is Africa’s leading coffee education and research institution, dedicated to training baristas, cuppers, and coffee professionals across the entire value chain — from farm to cup. Founded to empower youth and farmers with modern coffee science, entrepreneurship, and sustainability skills, KCS has become a hub for innovation in specialty coffee, tea, and climate-smart value addition.
Meanwhile, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization driving solutions that help communities adapt to climate change. Through the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), GCA and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are mobilizing billions to accelerate climate adaptation, focusing on resilient agriculture, digital climate tools, youth innovation, and nature-based solutions.
This concept note proposes a partnership between KCS and GCA to establish a Climate-Smart Coffee & Tea Adaptation Learning Hub in Kenya — linking education, research, and innovation to adaptation action.
2. Rationale
Africa’s coffee and tea sectors face increasing threats from:
- Rising temperatures and irregular rainfall
- Pests and diseases linked to climate change
- Declining soil fertility and deforestation
- Low adaptation capacity among smallholder farmers
Despite these challenges, few structured training programs integrate climate adaptation knowledge into coffee and tea education.
KCS offers a unique platform to bridge this gap by training farmers, youth, and professionals in resilient production systems, data-driven value chain management, and sustainable livelihoods — aligning directly with GCA’s adaptation priorities.
3. Partnership Objective
To integrate climate adaptation learning and innovation into coffee and tea value chains through joint programs between Kenya Coffee School and the Global Center on Adaptation.
4. Specific Objectives
- Develop a Climate-Smart Coffee & Tea Curriculum
- Embed modules on climate adaptation, agroecology, soil-water management, and renewable energy in processing.
- Align with AAAP and YouthAdapt frameworks.
- Establish a Climate Adaptation Learning Hub (The “KCS Climate Lab”)
- A demonstration and research center at KCS campus, showcasing sustainable technologies (solar drying, precision irrigation, digital weather tools).
- Host workshops for farmers, cooperatives, and students.
- Youth Capacity Building & Entrepreneurship
- Train youth in adaptation entrepreneurship — developing local innovations in climate-resilient coffee, value addition, and digital traceability.
- Knowledge Exchange and South–South Collaboration
- Facilitate study visits and digital learning exchanges between African and Asian coffee regions under GCA’s global network.
- Support Access to Climate Finance
- Work with GCA and AfDB to develop proposals for coffee-farmer adaptation financing, insurance products, and sustainable certification (GOOD Trade).
5. Expected Outcomes
| Outcome Area | Key Results |
|---|---|
| Climate Education | 500+ learners trained annually in climate-smart agriculture & coffee adaptation. |
| Youth Empowerment | 100 youth entrepreneurs supported through adaptation labs and innovation challenges. |
| Farmer Resilience | 5,000 smallholders reached with adaptation technologies and training. |
| Research & Policy | Publications and case studies informing national coffee/tea adaptation policies. |
| Green Finance | Pipeline of climate-smart coffee investment projects aligned with AAAP. |
6. Implementation Partners
- Lead Institution: Kenya Coffee School (KCS)
- Strategic Partner: Global Center on Adaptation (GCA)
- Supporting Partners:
- African Development Bank (AfDB) – AAAP
- Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya
- County Governments (Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Kericho)
- GOOD Trade Certification
- Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA)
- Local universities and cooperatives
7. Proposed Activities (Year 1–2)
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Design | Co-create KCS–GCA Climate Smart Coffee & Tea Modules |
| Launch of Climate Lab | Build demonstration hub for field training |
| Training of Trainers (ToT) | 50 trainers from across Africa trained on climate-smart agronomy |
| Youth Adaptation Challenge | Fund 10 youth-led climate innovations |
| Farmer Field Schools | Train 5,000 farmers through mobile & digital learning |
| Adaptation Symposium | Host annual Africa Coffee Climate Conference in Nairobi |
8. Indicative Budget (USD)
| Component | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Curriculum & materials development | 120,000 |
| Climate Lab establishment | 200,000 |
| Training programs & workshops | 150,000 |
| Youth Adaptation Challenge Fund | 100,000 |
| Research, communication, and events | 80,000 |
| Total (2 years) | 650,000 USD |
9. Expected Impact
- Strengthened adaptive capacity of coffee and tea farmers in East Africa.
- Empowered youth contributing to climate-resilient agribusiness.
- Increased global visibility of Kenya as a Center for Climate-Smart Coffee Education.
- Alignment with Kenya’s Climate Change Act, National Adaptation Plan, and Vision 2030.
10. Contact
Kenya Coffee School (KCS)
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: info@kenyacoffeeschool.co.ke
Phone: +254 707 503 647 / +254 704 375 390
Website: www.kenyacoffeeschool.co.ke
Global Center on Adaptation (GCA)
Rotterdam, The Netherlands / Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Website: www.gca.org
“Building Climate Resilience, One Cup at a Time.”
Kenya Coffee School x Global Center on Adaptation