EU Land's project .pepper..field awarded UN SDG award

Recognized as one of the most sustainable companies in the Czech Republic! Our company is a proud member of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Association and fulfills the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

Who is .pepper..field?

.pepper..field was founded by our Cambodian company EU Land in 2018 with the aim of supporting up to 400 families of traditional farmers in the Kampot region of Cambodia by responsible, fair trade and direct trade procurement of Kampot pepper.

Since that time the project has also been supported by the Czech Development Agency, which helps the project with the financing of technological support and the purchase of Czech machinery for these farms, which helps to increase the competitiveness of small farms in the market, which is currently dominated by large farms owned by foreigners. Thanks to the regular purchasing of pepper and the creation of a market, a stable family income and economic and dignified growth of the entire area are ensured.

EU Land and .pepper..field cofounders David Pavel and Klára Dohnalová accept the SGD award in 2021.?

Late last year in October 2021, we confirmed that at .pepper..field we can creatively and innovatively solve the problems of sustainable development not only in the Czech Republic, but throughout the world! And you can do so while operating a sustainable business.

The Sustainable Development Goals Awards

The SDG Awards are held for the fifth year under the sponsorship of the Association for Social Responsibility, which recognizes projects that meet the UN's global goals. In total, 238 projects competed for the first place in five categories, and from them we received the 2nd place in the Business category.

This is significant because it means that outside the world of nonprofits, NGOs, and the like, we - as a business - have been successful in fulfilling the requirements of the SDGs. We have brought value to our customers, and profit to our suppliers (the 200+ independent Kampot pepper farmers), as well as to ourselves.

The SDG award specifically spoke to 2 different goals that we are solving with our innovative business plan.

1

NO POVERTY

End poverty in all its forms and everywhere.

12

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION and PRODUCTION

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Our story began in 2018 with a commitment to fair trade and direct trade

From the very start we had a considerable goal – to support up to 400 farming families in the Kampot region of Cambodia by purchasing Kampot pepper in the fairest and most sustainable way possible. It soon became clear that the most important thing was to support small farmers and improve their competitiveness in a market that was dominated by large foreign farms. We have been buying pepper from them at a 100% fair trade price since the beginning. In this way, we ensure economic self-sufficiency and growth not only for them, but for the entire area.?

Along the way we received assistance from the Czech Development Agency

The same year the Czech Development Agency was also involved in our project, which helped with the financing of technological development and with the purchase of Czech machinery for these farms. They thus gained another advantage on the market. We still cooperate with the Czech Development Agency today. We are far from over and we have many other goals and ideas on how to change life in Cambodia for the better.

From 250 kg of pepper to 10 tons of pepper per year

Between 2018 and late 2021, we went from purchasing only 250 kg of pepper to 10 tons of pepper at fair trade prices. For us, this number in 2021 meant buying 50% of production from the small, independently-owned Cambodian farmers and thus supporting more than 200 families in real terms.?

The farmers now use the funds for school fees for children, basic health care or saving pepper production. In 2022, we have already committed to buying 100% of production, which is some 20 to 30 tons, and expand globally. These are big numbers, but an even bigger responsibility for all those specific families that we ensure a dignified life with our business. In 2020, we received an honorable mention from Mr. Sorasak - the Cambodian Minister of Trade - for this business.

The EU Land and .pepper..field team in Cambodia visiting one of the Kampot pepper farmers.

Our ultimate goal: an economically self-sufficient Cambodia

We realize that we are unique worldwide. Not only do we buy Kampot pepper under fair and direct trade conditions, but we are one of the largest processors in the region - we are now helping more than 200 families live a quality life! But our potential for the future is even greater.?

We want to extend our help to the families of medium and larger farms and buy back 100% of Kampot pepper production. Improving living conditions in Cambodia is our long-term goal.?

In 2018, most of Cambodia's small farms were on the brink of poverty. They even considered the possibility of letting the Kampot pepper fields disappear permanently. We are glad that this did not happen thanks to the launch of our project.

How we've done so much in so little time

The hard work by our founders (David, Klara, Lukas and Lenka), and our now much expanded team, and the dedication to HOW we do business has brought the much deserved recognition.

We focus on the long term economic empowerment of the communities we work with, rather than the short term profits we could potentially dwell on.

Additionally, our experience has shown us that it is possible to successfully run a company which providing value to all those involved in the process. From our farmers all the way on through to our customers.

And we have achieved great things in this time.

Since the launch of the project, EU Land has become one of the largest importers of Kampot pepper in the world and our consumer-facing company? .pepper..field has impressed leading European restaurants, customers, and companies that buy it as corporate gifts with its quality.

To learn more about what we are doing at EU Land and .pepper..field be sure to follow us here and here.