The Circular Coffee Project
A 5-year north–south cooperative research programme funded by VLIR-UOS, bringing together expertise from Belgium and Ethiopia to build a circular coffee economy.
What is VLIR-UOS?
VLIR-UOS (Flemish Interuniversity Council – University Development Cooperation) supports partnerships between Flemish universities and institutions in the Global South. These "Institutional University Cooperation" projects build lasting academic and research capacity.
What is CARES?
The Circular Coffee project is part of this framework, bringing together expertise in agronomy, food science, environmental engineering, and development economics.
The Problem
Environmental Impact
- Ethiopia produces ~400,000 tons of coffee waste annually
- Coffee husk & pulp pollute rivers and degrade farm soils
Economic Challenges
- Smallholder farmers lose an estimated 30% of potential income
- No integrated circular economy model exists at farm level
- Limited access to research-backed composting and valorization techniques
Circular Economy Model
Bean Harvest
Specialty Coffee Advanced Processing
Circular Agro-Energy & Earth Care
Bio-Extracted Innovation Products
Soil Enrichment
Better Crops
Project Goals
- Develop biochar and compost from coffee husk to improve soil fertility in smallholder farms
- Valorize coffee pulp and wastewater through biorefinery and treatment technologies
- Assess socio-economic impacts on coffee farmers and cooperatives
- Build local capacity through PhD training and knowledge transfer
- Create actionable policy briefs for national agricultural bodies
- Establish gender-inclusive and youth-focused extension programs
Work Packages
Project Coordination
Lead: UA Antwerp
Soil Health Research
Lead: CTBE-AAU & UA
Waste Valorization
Lead: CTBE-AAU
Socio-Economic Assessment
Lead: CTBE-AAU & IFPRI
Dissemination & Capacity
Lead: All Partners