In February 2025, a two-day capacity-building workshop was held in Rasi Salai District, Sisaket Province, Thailand, bringing together key producer organizations from the region. This initiative marked a significant step forward in enhancing cooperative governance and product standards for Fairtrade-certified producers of coffee, herbs, herbal teas, spices, and rice.

Participants included a dynamic mix of Thai and Lao producer groups—Sisaket Fairtrade Farmer Group, NamOm Community Enterprise Group, Ban Um-sang Rice Community Enterprise, Slow Eco Coffee Farmers' Cooperative, Cooperative of Sustainable Eco Coffee, Vanmai Coffee Cooperative, and CPC - Cooperative des Producteurs de Café du Plateau des Bolovens. Each came with the shared mission of strengthening their organizations and preparing for global market access.

A Vision for Stronger Cooperatives

The core objective of this initiative was to empower producer organizations in Laos and Thailand with the skills, tools, and knowledge to tackle pressing challenges in cooperative management. The training aimed to fortify leadership, governance, and decision-making capacity, enabling cooperatives to operate with greater efficiency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

With a special focus on aligning with Fairtrade and EU Organic Regulation (EUOR) standards, the workshop also supported the producers in enhancing their organizational resilience, product quality, and access to global markets.

DAY 1: Building Foundations of Governance and Regulation

The session began with a welcome and introduction to the workshop's objectives. Experts from the Yasothon Provincial Cooperative Office delivered in-depth training on cooperative governance—covering structural models, human resource management, internal communication, and services for members. This foundational segment set the tone for strengthening internal systems across organizations.

Later, the focus shifted to the EU Organic Regulation (EUOR), with a presentation from the Fairtrade NAPP Thailand & Laos Program Manager. Participants engaged in vibrant discussions and shared experiences from both sides of the border:

• Ban Um-sang Rice Community Enterprise and NamOm Community Enterprise Group shared how they adapted to EUOR in their operations.
• CPC (Laos) offered insights into their journey toward compliance.
• Slow Eco Coffee Farmers' Cooperative and Vanmai Cooperative reflected on their certification preparations and challenges.

These exchanges fostered an open dialogue around the obstacles and opportunities in aligning with EUOR standards.

DAY 2: Enhancing Product Value and Processing Knowledge

Participants were introduced to critical aspects of coffee product development—including Thailand’s Food and Drug standards, GMP certification, packaging design, and product registration. They then toured a commercial coffee processing facility, gaining insights into management practices at scale.

The day concluded with a field visit to an organic Robusta coffee farm in Sisaket, offering a hands-on look at sustainable practices and steps towards organic certification.

Outcomes That Matter

This program delivered tangible outcomes:

• Improved Governance Capacities: Cooperatives acquired knowledge and tools to enhance leadership, organizational structure, and service delivery.
• Deeper Understanding of EUOR: Participants gained clarity on the regulatory landscape and engaged in cross-border knowledge exchange to develop customized adaptation strategies.
• Enhanced Market Readiness: Training in value addition, food safety, packaging, and certification strengthened producers’ ability to meet global market demands.
• Regional Collaboration Strengthened: A strong Laos coffee network emerged, fostering ongoing dialogue and collaboration among cooperatives.

Voices of Impact

“Thank you for organizing this workshop. It is very useful to experience a different way of learning. From training and study visits, we gained knowledge on how to increase the value of our coffee.” 

— Mr. Sengmany Phongtailart, Slow Eco Coffee  Farmers' Cooperative, Laos

“This workshop answered our needs. We learned a lot about the EUOR new regulation. There’s still much to prepare, but we now have a roadmap to achieve EUOR certification.” 

— Ms. Vilayphone Phommasone, Vanmai Coffee Cooperative, Laos

This initiative represents more than a workshop—it is a foundational investment in the future of coffee cooperatives, strengthening their ability to lead, comply, and grow in the competitive global market.