Our approach

Mission: Why NSC Exists as an organization

NSC exists to promote Nicaraguan coffee and to support Nicaraguan coffee producers in gaining fair access to the market. By fostering direct relationships, increasing transparency, and enhancing traceability, NSC aims to create a more equitable coffee value chain that benefits both producers and buyers.

Background

Coffee is an important export product for Nicaragua and in theory offers producers and workers the opportunity to improve their standard of living, for example in areas such as healthcare, education, and training. The coffee sector faces two major challenges: one that has emerged recently and one that has existed for a long time.

The coffee sector is under pressure from climate change. More than ever, growing coffee in sustainable harmony and balance with the natural environment is essential. Knowledge and resources are needed to adapt coffee production to changing conditions, in order to secure cultivation and future income for coffee producers, their families, and their workers.
The coffee value chain is complex, and for producers, the end consumers of their coffee are often distant and out of reach. Because of this large gap, it can be difficult for a coffee producer to determine which adjustments or investments will actually lead to better market access or higher returns. NSC aims to bridge this gap by providing business-oriented support to improve access to the European market and increase producer income. NSC identifies the areas where a producer can enhance market opportunities and returns, and then supports the implementation of those improvements. Interested in examples? Visit Our partnerships to see which collaborations are currently underway and what we do.

Our approach

Our approach focuses on creating impact for coffee producers in Nicaragua in three key areas: improving market access, increasing returns, and ensuring transparency in the value chain. These themes are interconnected, with the aim of building a sustainable and fair coffee chain from production to sales in Europe for the coffee of the producers we work with.

NSC focuses on Nicaraguan coffee producers. Collaborations can begin in various ways. Sometimes with a specific request from a coffee producer that can be addressed immediately. Other times, a collaboration starts more openly and requires an analysis of the farm, an evaluation of the coffee, and alignment with the market. We work through this process together, leveraging the expertise of other partners within our network.

Improvements and investments must always be aimed at enhancing market access and increasing returns. It is the coffee producer who decides which actions we pursue.

The ultimate goal is to bring coffee from these collaborations to market. NSC purchases this coffee at a transparent price that carefully considers the need to cover costs, investments in sustainability, and a healthy profit for the producer. This provides security for the coffee producer and shields them from the risks associated with sales in Europe. We are currently exploring the Fair Chain approach of the Fair Chain Foundation and the true pricing model of the Futureproof Coffee Network to create the level of transparency we aim for.

Our expertise and partners

No one holds all the knowledge, and collaboration is essential to provide correct and responsible advice to coffee producers. Their investments—whether in money or time—are highly valuable and must lead to meaningful improvements. For this reason, we work together with both local and international partners.

And working from a business-oriented perspective and model helps ensure that only actions which lead to tangible business improvements for the coffee producer are pursued.