Filipina Entrepreneur Wins Prestigious ‘Oslo Business for Peace’ Award

Davao City-based Coffee for Peace’s (CfP) chief executive officer is chosen as one of three recipients of this year’s Oslo Business for Peace Award.

Felicitas “Joji” Bautista Pantoja co-founded CfP in 2008, which champions for fair trade with marginalized farming communities for their grown coffee, to either be exported or for its cafe. Aside from this, CfP has also played the part of mediator which helped settle conflicts between migrants and native Bangsamoro farmers, address environmental, social, and economic issues from their inception.

CfP also pushes for better quality of coffee in the Philippines by training farmers on good practices and proper techniques from harvesting and handling of the beans to the process of growing coffee itself.

The Oslo Business for Peace Award

The Oslo Business for Peace Award started in 2009 and honors individuals “for their outstanding businessworthy accomplishments” and for “apply(ing) their business energy ethically and responsibly, creating stronger economic and societal value.”

All of which Joji Pantoja exemplified.

An independent award committee composed of Nobel laureates in peace and economics chose the awardees.

“Ms. Pantoja receives the Award for her business-worthy efforts in bringing peace and prosperity to conflict-affected communities in the Philippines,” the Award committee said in an announcement this year’s award recipients.

“She and her team have built an inspiring social enterprise that empowers marginalized groups from different backgrounds, bringing these groups together while contributing to the sustainable development of the land. Ms. Pantoja demonstrates the significant impact that business can have when used as a vehicle for peace,” the committee added further.

The award committee also noted the sustainable livelihood for indigenous and migrant groups that PfC has provided.

“Today, Coffee for Peace provides sustainable livelihoods for indigenous and migrant groups in rural areas, enabling over 880 farmers to escape poverty and build their coffee production capacity,” the Award body said.

Pantoja stressed that the recognition is a testament to the dreams and aspirations of farmers.

“This recognition brings hope. It affirms the dreams and aspirations of our small farming partners, micro-enterprise partners, impact investors, and employees that there are respectable people in the business world who believe in and serve as ‘cheerleaders’ for us who struggle for economic justice,” Pantoja said.

Felicitas “Joji” Bautista Pantoja of Coffee for Peace adds to the impressive list of recipients of the Oslo Business for Peace Award which includes Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group, and Elon Musk of Tesla. (GFB)