Jeroen's Breakfast Brief

a very special episode of Jeroen's Douglas' breakfast brief. Jeroen is leaving Solidaridad and while we will certainly be back with you with another podcast at some point in time, this is the finale of this specific series. A final episode with reversed roles! This time, Jeroen can explain us what his breakfast looks like. But there is more to discover: why is Jeroen leaving? And what does he see as Solidaridad's biggest failure? 

 Join us as we sit down with Jeroen, ​o​ur visionary leader, and a rebel with a cause, who has spent 30 years at the forefront of global change. In this episode, we delve into his transformative journey, from idealistic beginnings to the complex realities of today. Discover the insights, the wisdom, and the unwavering determination of a man who still believes in making a difference every day. I​ promise you a conversation that will ignite your own sense of purpose and leave you inspired to take on the world. 

In our Breakfast Brief today, Jeroen takes us on a journey through the world of the Small Farmer Atlas. Picture this: Over 10,000 small-scale farmers, sharing their thoughts on sustainability, and it's anything but your run-of-the-mill report

Join us as Shatadru Chattopadhayay and Nitin Rao, leading voices from our Indian office, unravel what makes this Atlas so refreshingly different. Instead of seeking a one-size-fits-all narrative from small farmers, they encourage us to savor the rich tapestry of their diverse opinions and unyielding resilience.

So, grab your coffee, pop in those earbuds, and discover the hidden treasures of wisdom that small-scale farmers from every corner of the globe have to offer. It's a buffet of insights you won't want to miss!

I had an interesting conversation with Patrick Schein. Patrick is French entrepreneur in the precious metals world since 35 years. Patrick Schein is specialised in the trading and refining of gold and I spoke with him about the artisanal gold mining sub-sector. He revealed to me the three big lies of the sector. Listen to this podcast below, or on your favorite podcast channel (search for: Jeroen's Breakfast Brief).

This time, as an exception a breakfast brief in Spanish. FM7, or Fabiola Muñoz, is a breaker of glass ceilings and a uniter of opposite views. Listen to this voice of modern Peruvian leadership, speaking about development and the need to build trust. 

How much incentive does a smallholder need in order NOT to knock down a  tree? And, what will be the role of businesses and governments to make sustainable palm oil the norm? Listen to Darrel Webber, a native from Malaysian Borneo, and ex-RSPO Secretary General. But also a smallholder himself.  In this podcast, he shines his precision light from all these perspectives on the sustainability challenges around one of the world's most (im)popular crops.

Meet Shungu Kanyemba, an unstoppable pioneer for the digital inclusion of smallholders in Africa, with or without a phone. A lively discussion about data as the new commodity and how this can become a new fair trade product. But also a quest for the balance between privacy and ensuring farmers have access and benefit from sharing their data. What kind of digital world do you want? 

Meet Shungu Kanyemba, an unstoppable pioneer for the digital inclusion of smallholders in Africa, with or without a phone. A lively discussion about data as the new commodity and how this can become a new fair trade product. But also a quest for the balance between privacy and ensuring farmers have access and benefit from sharing their data. What kind of digital world do you want? 

No collateral and zero interest. How can that ever become a shining business case for investors? Meet Musa Kiggundu Muwanga and Lars van Doremalen, telling us how the world of finance is changing and how investing in local entrepreneurship will generate impact. Knowing the business makes all the difference and this is where PlusPlus sets the example. Would you dare to become an investor this way?

No collateral and zero interest. How can that ever become a shining business case for investors? Meet Musa Kiggundu Muwanga and Lars van Doremalen, telling us how the world of finance is changing and how investing in local entrepreneurship will generate impact. Knowing the business makes all the difference and this is where PlusPlus sets the example. Would you dare to become an investor this way?

Joel Brounen is Solidaridad Network's country manager in #colombia and a passionate innovator who paves new roads for #farming communities in Colombia. In this episode, I talk with him about the post-pandemic shifts in market- and trade relations and how this can be an opportunity for an improved inclusion of #smallholders. 

Joel is one of the initiators of an initiative to provide financial incentives for farmers to adopt climate-smart practices and switch their farms to #agroforestry systems. We had a good debate on whether the #carbonmarkets can be a truly ethical business case. More advanced technology in recent years has allowed performing verification processes at reduced costs, creating a breakthrough for farmers to enter the international carbon market. But isn't this just an easy way for polluting companies to pay off their responsibilities? 

Listen to my podcast here to find out more while also learning about his secret Japanese recipe for building and retaining a thriving team full of talent.