High Aspirations for the Coffee Sector: SCA Updates Sustainability Awards to Inspire Action and Equity
For over two decades, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has celebrated those at the forefront of sustainability in the coffee world. Now, in a powerful new chapter, the SCA is reshaping its Sustainability Awards to reflect the growing complexity, urgency, and promise of the global coffee sector’s sustainability journey.
In an article titled “High Aspirations for the Coffee Sector,” Andrés Montenegro, the SCA’s Sustainability Director, introduces a set of bold changes that aim to transform how sustainability is recognized and shared across the coffee value chain. The underlying vision: that the greatest barrier to sustainability isn’t climate change or inequality, but the belief that change is out of reach.
“We believe it’s important to see sustainability as a continuous improvement process,” Montenegro writes. “By honoring those who lead, we aim to inspire the entire sector to evolve with them.”
From Recognition to Transformation
Since 2004, the SCA’s Sustainability Awards have honored organizations, projects, and individuals tackling systemic issues—from gender inequity and climate change to financing gaps in coffee production. Past winners have ranged from Uganda’s Bukonzo Joint Cooperative for its gender-focused “GALS” initiative, to Sancoffee in Brazil and Thanksgiving Coffee Company in the United States.
What connects these diverse winners is not only their impact, but their commitment to collaboration. The 2024 awardee Root Capital, for instance, was recognized for its work bridging the “missing middle” of coffee financing by working with institutions and supply chain actors to train and empower coffee producers.
Major Updates to the Awards Program
In response to sector-wide feedback, the SCA introduced three key changes to the program in 2024:
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Category Refinement: The awards are now split into “for-profit” and “non-profit” categories to better reflect the varied landscape of sustainability work in coffee.
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A New Scoring System: Developed in collaboration with the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL), the revised system incorporates criteria such as purpose, governance, and stakeholder networks to assess systemic impact more holistically.
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Inclusive Evaluation Panel: The judging panel has been expanded to include a broader set of voices, especially from producing countries and academic institutions, with logistical improvements like deadline extensions to ensure deeper participation.
These changes aim to honor not just outcomes, but the processes, values, and coalitions that drive meaningful change.
Amplifying Impact and Learning
Beyond the ceremony, the SCA is investing in new platforms to amplify the work of awardees:
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Dedicated sessions at SCA trade shows in North America and Europe
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Webinars exploring winners’ business models and practices
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Written profiles and articles capturing stories and strategies
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A forthcoming case study library to document and share replicable sustainability innovations
“Sustainability isn’t static. It’s about mindsets, systems, and long-term resilience,” Montenegro explains. “Our goal is to support the spread of these ideas throughout the industry.”
Looking Ahead: A Sector-Wide Call to Action
At its core, the updated SCA Sustainability Awards reflect a belief that coffee can be a model for a regenerative, equitable global economy. They recognize that the road to sustainability is complex—but filled with examples of hope, leadership, and progress.
Montenegro closes with a message to the sector: change is not only possible—it’s already happening. The job now is to share, adapt, and build on that momentum together.
