\nYCFCU unites farmers across 6 districts (Dilla, Wonago, Bulle, Yirgacheffe, Kochere and Gedeb) in the southern Ethiopian zone of Gedeo. Years of political struggles and corruption in Ethiopia left farmers unwilling to join cooperatives. Over time, YCFCU has managed to form relationships with 22 base groups, which are all Fairtrade Organizations and the membership continues to expand. The members deliver their coffee to the base group who then transport the cherries to a central washing station. Once the coffee has undergone the washed process, the parchment is weighed and taken to the Ethiopian Coffee Exchange (ECX) for grading. After being graded, the coffee is then transported to Addis Ababa to the government-owned processing warehouse. Here the coffee is labelled and stored separately to ensure traceability. Depending on shipping instructions, the coffee is further processed. The coffee is inspected to ensure it meets international standards before being transported to the port of Djibouti for export.Up to four delegates from each of the 22 base groups attend the Union’s AGM meetings to participate deciding how to use the Fairtrade Premium. Much of their premiums have been used for the construction and maintenance of local schools. They see education as vital for ensuring a better future for their children. Lack of decent roads and bridges is common in rural communities. They have invested in improving roads, constructing bridges and installing electricity. The impact of a faster delivery of coffee to the washing stations means less spoilage and increased quality in the cup.