Volcafe Costa Rica receives UN inclusion prize

UN refugee agency recognises our Costa Rican company’s promotion of inclusion.

The United National High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Costa Rica has awarded Beneficios Volcafe Costa Rica S.A. with its ‘Vivir la Inclusión’ seal.

The seal was presented in a ceremony in San José on 6 December in recognition of our Costa Rican company’s efforts to promote the integration of refugees through its recruitment and hiring practices.

The Costa Rican arm of the UN refugee agency works to improve conditions for refugees and asylum seekers in Costa Rica, many of whom come from other Central American states and Venezuela. Part of the agency’s work includes the Vivir la Integración (Living inclusion) programme, a partnership with the public and private sectors to promote employment opportunities for people who have sought refuge in Costa Rica. Companies and organisations that demonstrate support for integrating refugees and seekers can be formally awarded the seal, now in its sixth year.

For Volcafe Costa Rica, participation in the Vivir la Integración programme has involved putting itself forward and being vetted as a potential employer for refugees, being trained on the programme’s approach and procedures to handle the personal information of job candidates, and sharing a list of available positions. The company is currently receiving lists of candidates so they can begin offering them jobs.

‘Volcafe Costa Rica is honoured by this recognition from UNHCR Costa Rica. Our mission is to make coffee business better, together – and we know that the people we hire through this programme will bring new experience and passion to our work. We look forward to growing our team and supporting broader efforts to integrate refugees here in Costa Rica,’ says Rafael Hernandez, General Manager of Volcafe Costa Rica.

‘Offering meaningful opportunities to people who seek safety in our country is another way we are building a thriving, sustainable coffee business for all,’ adds Carlos Homberger, Volcafe’s Costa Rica-based Regional Director South and Central America.