CODECH (Coordinator of Organisations for the Development of Concepcion Huista) is a second level organisation located in the municipality of Concepcion Huista in the department of Huehuetenango in Guatemala founded in 1998 when representatives of member organisations were looking for alternative development programmes for the community of Concepcion Huista. It comprises 10 different member organisations and has 476 members and one of CODECH’s main objectives is the participation of women in society and the labour force. CODECH’s Women Producer coffee is a special programme and has been one of the catalysts for our collaborations. The coffees in this batch come 100% from farms owned or managed by women. Women farmers receive a premium for their lots, and the premiums are used in part by the women of CODECH to support health initiative programmes in the community. Half of the prize goes to a women’s health workshop in the municipality of Concepcion Huista. The organisation’s organic certification is not only indicative of its commitment to respect the environment, but also to be independent of multinational corporations. The focal points of the organisation are:

• Organic farming workshops
• General agriculture workshops
• National and international marketing workshops
• Teacher development workshops
• Women-specific workshops
• Political impact, women’s rights and gender equity
• Self-esteem
• Management
• Medical care
• Family development