CARES: Circular economy based biorefinery concepts for the Agricultural value chain and Resilient Enhancement of Smallholder livelihoods in the coffee growing regions of Ethiopia

Duration

2024-2029

Lead institutions

Universiteit Antwerpen

Addis Ababa University

Academic partners

Luis Diaz Allegue

Anuradha Jabasingh

Project status

Ongoing

Programme

TEAM

Total budget

290,162.40

Summary

The CARES project focuses on the innovative utilization of coffee by-products for bioenergy and high-value bio products, promoting sustainable development in the Coffee Value Chain Agricultural sector of Ethiopia, Africa’s leading coffee producer. This initiative will boost the economy of big and smallholder farmers and help to establish a research network to explore the most sustainable methods for producing marketable, value added, eco-friendly products, involving stakeholders from societal, political and academic spheres. Addis Ababa Institute of Technology will enhance the regional impact, through multidisciplinary research and innovation. CARES adopts circular economy concepts, to maximize usage of coffee plantation by-products with unique recycling, and valorisation methods to strengthen collaboration and skill transfer between Ethiopian and Belgian entities, in line with VLIR-UOS’ commitment to technology transfer, sustainability and innovation.