The key concept behind the Community of Practice (CoP) approach is to facilitate structured sharing of knowledge and learnings related to the activities of coffee&climate in the specific project regions. It consists of members who interact with each other for their pursuit of a common interest, i.e. in the case of the program options for adapting to climate change. Relevant actors are connected across official organizational boundaries and departments and make up the community. CoPs provide a structured framework for members to share information, exchange, learn from each other and develop own capacities on relevant climate topics, which they can apply in their own organizations and structures. CoPs are defined by the joint knowledge of its members and participation has personal value to the individual member.

As a space for engagement, shared knowledge, interpersonal relationships and entrepreneurship, these communities are a key format to disseminate the generated knowledge of coffee&climate under a local ownership framework. By bringing together important local stakeholders CoPs can positively influence decision makers from a practical perspective and strengthen public policies regarding adaptation and mitigation strategies to be promoted in coffee production areas.