Call for
EFICO Fund Grant
About Organisation
The EFICO Foundation is a private, non-profit initiative established in 2003 by Patrick F. Installé, a member of EFICO’s founding family. Uniquely positioned in Europe, the Foundation is dedicated to structurally supporting coffee farmers and their communities. With a growing network of around 40 coffee roasters and collaborations with over 60 organizations and several government bodies, EFICO Foundation implements impactful, long-term development projects in coffee-growing regions.
EFICO Foundation stands out by ensuring that 100% of the funding goes directly to the field-level projects. This is made possible because EFICO, the parent company, covers all operational and administrative expenses. The Foundation’s work emphasizes improving the livelihoods of coffee producers by focusing on sustainable farming, resilience to climate change, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
In 2005, the EFICO Fund was created within the King Baudouin Foundation (KBF) to ensure transparent and structured financial management. KBF is an independent public-interest foundation that shares EFICO’s commitment to societal progress and provides a platform for monitoring and evaluating projects. Through this partnership, EFICO Foundation delivers high-impact, sustainability-focused programs aligned with global development goals, while fostering innovation and multi-stakeholder collaboration for long-term change.
About the Grant
The EFICO Foundation launched the EFICO Fund in 2005 within the King Baudouin Foundation to support and manage projects that improve the lives of coffee farmers. The fund pools resources from diverse sources—donations, institutional contributions, coffee roasters, and sales of EFICO Foundation-labeled coffee. All funds collected are allocated directly to field projects, with EFICO covering operational and administrative costs.
Grants are disbursed approximately every three years through a project initiation round. Projects are selected by a Jury of experts and confirmed by a Board, ensuring a transparent and thorough evaluation process.
The EFICO Fund focuses on three primary areas:
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Knowledge Transfer: Empowering farmers through training and education
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Sustainable Income: Enabling economic resilience and fair livelihoods
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Climate Resilience: Promoting environmentally sound agricultural practices
Eligible projects must contribute to improving coffee-producing communities’ quality of life and address social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Preference is given to initiatives with a clear pathway to self-sufficiency and scalability. Projects should also apply multi-stakeholder approaches inspired by the UN Global Compact and significantly contribute to at least one Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), with measurable outcomes aligned with those goals.
Who can Apply?
Organizations and individuals with innovative and impactful ideas aimed at uplifting coffee-farming communities are encouraged to apply. Projects must prioritize sustainable development practices that address the interconnected dimensions of social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
Eligible applicants include:
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Non-profit organizations
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Farmer cooperatives
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Research and educational institutions
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Social enterprises
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Development agencies
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Private sector actors engaged in sustainability initiatives for coffee farmers
To qualify, the proposed project must:
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Improve the living standards of coffee producers and their families
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Align with at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Demonstrate a multi-stakeholder approach, in line with the UN Global Compact principles
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Include clear metrics to measure progress against SDG targets
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Show potential for scalability, replication, or long-term self-sufficiency
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Introduce innovative practices that could serve as a model for others
Applicants must illustrate how the proposed initiative will create systemic change, build resilience, and empower local communities. Collaborative proposals with cross-sectoral involvement are highly encouraged to maximize reach and sustainability.
How to Apply?
Interested applicants must first contact the EFICO Foundation to receive the official application form. After obtaining the form, applicants are required to complete it with detailed project information, objectives, expected outcomes, and alignment with EFICO’s focus areas. Submitted applications will be evaluated by a jury panel and reviewed by the foundation’s board before final approval. Early engagement with the Foundation is advised to clarify eligibility and priorities.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting the full application will be communicated individually upon initial contact. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out as early as possible to begin the application process.
Last Date to Apply
The specific last date to apply is determined during the project initiation cycle. Since the call for proposals occurs approximately every three years, applicants should inquire directly for updated timelines.
Grant Amount
The grant amount varies based on the scope, impact, and scalability of each project. The EFICO Fund ensures that 100% of approved funds are directly allocated to the selected initiatives.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
