Fairtrade & Projects

Fairtrade & Projects

Fairtrade Fortnight

Every year, since 2009, we have taken part in Fairtrade Fortnight, where a percentage from each hot beverage sold is donated to our nominated Insomnia Community projects.

Thus far, we have raised over €252,600 for these nominated community projects.

INSOMNIA FAIRTRADE PROJECT 2025

Thanks to your support, we raised €22,600 for our three Fairtrade coffee cooperatives:COCAFELOL (Honduras), UCA SOPPEXCCA (Nicaragua) and ASOBAGRI (Guatemala)

Championing Change

By choosing Fairtrade coffee, you have helped to empower community members in COCAFELOL, UCA Soppexcca, and ASOBAGRI to tackle climate change, enhance crop health and productivity, and promote transparency within the coffee industry.

Your support will help achieve the following project goals:

☕ Reduce their carbon emissions
☕ Track the environmental impact of their farming system
☕Promote best organic practices for climate resilience and improve crop health and productivity

INSOMNIA FAIRTRADE PROJECT 2025

FAIRBRUARY 2025

The three coffee cooperatives supported by this project bring together more than 2,500 families engaged in smallholder agriculture, cultivating coffee, cocoa, honey, and organic sugar.

The farms vary in size, ranging from 1 hectare in Guatemala to 3 hectares in Honduras and Nicaragua. If successfully replicated across the region, this pilot project has the potential to benefit an estimated 100,000 farmers in Central America.

FAIRBRUARY 2025

Solar Drying of Coffee: Reducing Emissions:

One of the many ways that producers reduce emissions is through solar drying. José Yaxcal, a farmer in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, dries parchment coffee in specially constructed flat-bed wooden cases. By harnessing the natural energy of the sun, small-scale coffee producers can significantly reduce emissions in the supply chain. This traditional practice is widely used across Latin America. As part of this project, the impact of solar drying will be quantified and presented in a verifiable way.

Solar Drying of Coffee: Reducing Emissions:

Project Elements

1: Software Platform and ISO 14064 Implementation

  • Innovative software, The Cool Farm Tool, will be used to determine the carbon, water, and biodiversity performance of the farmers' land use.

  • ISO 14064, a standard for measuring carbon emissions, will be implemented to track emissions from cultivation, harvesting, and export of products.

2: Training in the Use of Cool Farm Tool and ISO 14064

  • Training workshops will be organized for the technical field teams of the three cooperatives.

  • A manual on the use and application of the Cool Farm Tool will be produced.

  • A manual on the use and application of ISO 14064 will be produced.

3: Integrating Results into the Cooperatives’ Business Operations

  • The final analysis of the data will enable cooperatives to reduce their carbon footprint.

Thank you 🫶

Thank you for making a difference this Fairbruary, being a part of this year’s project and helping to create positive change! ❤️

Thank you 🫶
PREVIOUS FAIRTRADE COMMUNITY PROJECTS

PREVIOUS FAIRTRADE COMMUNITY PROJECTS

2024

  • In 2024, we raised an incredible €21,556, which went directly to our nominated project at the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, UCA San Juan de Río Coco, Nicaragua. The money raised supported the development of the La Gloria Agritourism Centre, a project aimed at providing educational, recreational, and hospitality services

2023

  • In 2023 during Fairtrade Fortnight we raised €20,295 which supported The Coffee Cooperative of Olancho Limited (COCOAL). Money raised provided equipment to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly business for honey production and to empower the coffee producers in the COCOAL Co-op.

  • 2022: We raised an incredible €20,145 which went directly to our nominated project in the Unen Choit Co-op in Papua New Guinea to provide technology to improve farming and a solar solution package for energy.

  • 2021: 

During 2021 Fairtrade Fortnight we’ve supported the producers of our Voyager Coffee – The COCAFCAL Co-op in Honduras and we raised an incredible €20,095 which went directly to our nominated project in the COCAFCAL Co-op to promote leadership and Youth entrepreneurship. 

  • 2020:

 We raised an amazing €25,000 during Fairtrade Fortnight, all funds raised went directly to the ACODIHUE (Asociacion de Cooperacion al Desarrollo Integral de Huehuetenango) Cooperative in Guatemala with the aim of Empowering and Advancing Women within the Coffee Industry.

  • 2019: 

We worked directly with the producers of our hugely popular Voyager Coffee, the Manizales Coffee Cooperative. 5 cents was donated from every Hot Beverage sold during Fairtrade Fortnight, the total amount raised was €21,650.

  • 2018: 

€15,210 which went directly to our nominated project of the ASOBAGRI Coffee Cooperative, in Guatemala, with the aim to empower Women within the coffee industry in Latin America.

  • 2017:

Insomnia's Fairtrade Community Project raised over €14,305 through Fairtrade Fortnight and 100% of this money went directly to the ACPC Pichanaki Coffee Cooperative (CAC PICHANAKI ACPC), in Peru.

  • 2014-2016:

The funds raised during Fairtrade Fortnight from 2014 to 2016, have gone directly to the construction of a student Infirmary and Dispensary for the Hekima Girls School in Bukoba, Tanzania, our nominated Fairtrade project.

Fairtrade

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between some of the most disadvantaged farmers and workers in the developing world and the people who buy their products. It is designed to help producers in developing countries receive a better price for their products by requiring companies to pay sustainable prices, which cannot fall lower than market price.

Fairtrade Minimum Price

For most Fairtrade products there is a minimum price that will cover the cost of sustainable production. If the market price rises above the minimum price set, famers and workers will receive the market price. FLO-Cert regularly check and audit companies to ensure that farmers and cooperatives receive the correct payment. In addition to the minimum Fairtrade price, workers and farmers also receive a Fairtrade premium, this goes towards a community or cooperative fund to improve social, economic and environmental conditions.

Insomnia Coffee has been serving 100% Fairtrade Coffee, Certified since 2006. 

This year we are celebrating 18 years of 100% Fairtrade Coffee.

What does the Fairtrade Mark Mean?

The Fairtrade Mark is a registered certification label for products sourced from producers in developing countries. 

It means that the product was produced according to international Fairtrade standards and the products are socially and economically fair and environmentally responsible

Key standards include the payment of a minimum price and a premium.

Why Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is a global movement that seeks to make trade fairer through connecting small farmers and consumers. When companies sell on Fairtrade terms, they act as a link between two ends of the value chain.

Each year we sell over 30 million Fairtrade cups of coffee. With the steady and fair business generated by Insomnia, farmers and workers, from who we source our products, are enabled to improve their working and living conditions.

Moreover, Fairtrade encourages environmental protection. Fairtrade standards help small farmers make environmental protection an integral part of their farm management, including reducing pollution, limiting the use of harmful chemicals and finding organic alternatives.

Our coffee is a balanced blend sourced from Colombia, Sumatra, Peru and Tanzania. Each time you enjoy your coffee you are helping to make poverty history for many people in these countries.

Fairtrade certification means that co-operatives get a fair price for their beans, thus allowing them to invest in better salaries, equipment and social projects.

Fairtrade certification means that co-operatives get a fair price for their beans, thus allowing them to invest in better salaries, equipment and social projects.