Contributing in-kind to 4C support services

Through its global network, the 4C Association provides support services to coffee farmers including training, access to tools and information. All tools and support services are free of charge for coffee producers as they are funded in large parts from the membership fees from the trade and industry members. 30% of the membership fees of industry and 50 to 70% of those of the intermediary buyers go directly to the 4C Support Services budget and some of this may even be delivered in-kind.


What is an in-kind support contribution?

Through in-kind support contributions, 4C Members can make use of their extensive knowledge and experience by e.g.
  • Designing and conducting training courses related to 4C Topics
  • Developing tools that help producers move closer to more sustainable practices
  • Developing manuals and/or software which farmers and 4C Units can use in day-to-day activities.



By using the support contribution in-kind, 4C Members not only support their own direct suppliers, but also transfer knowledge to potential and existing members of the 4C Association. At the same time, other members can benefit from in-kind contributions by using the developed tools (such as manuals or traceability tools) which are made freely available to all members in the 4C Tool Library.

For example, some of the in-kind tools provided to date include accounting and traceability software for 4C Units, on-line courses and pictorials on sustainable coffee practices, training on composting and shade tree development or manuals on topics as working conditions, biodiversity, handling/application of chemicals, quality improvement.


Benefits of in-kind support contributions

All in-kind provided material becomes the property of the 4C Association and is freely available to all members via the 4C Tool Library. In this way, by contributing in-kind, 4C Trade and Industry Members not only support their direct suppliers but also assist with knowledge transfer within the 4C Association.

For more information or access to specific tools/manuals, please refer to “In-kind Contribution” on the 4C Members Section or contact 4C Secretariat: