Lutheran World Relief and The Starbucks Foundation: Partnering to support coffee communities for over a decade
The Starbucks Foundation and Corus organization Lutheran World Relief have been working together to uplift women, support families, and strengthen coffee-growing communities across Colombia and Indonesia since 2015.
Stronger together: A global partnership rooted in community
Across five projects in Colombia and Indonesia, The Starbucks Foundation and Lutheran World Relief partnership has directly reached more than 20,000 people in coffee-growing communities, including over 11,000 women, and has touched the lives of an estimated more than 50,000 individuals through:
- Economic opportunities through local leadership and entrepreneurship
- Support for farming practices that preserve soil health, reduce waste, and improve resilience
- Access to safe water and sanitation
- Hygiene education for healthier homes and cleaner communities
- Community-led waste management solutions
- Stewardship of agricultural and natural resources through locally led education and action
Timeline of projects
Community voices
From women entrepreneurs to youth leaders, the people behind these stories are shaping the future of their families and communities – one idea, one action at a time. Watch, listen, and get to know the changemakers leading this work.
Videos
Indonesia
Project participant Libranita explains her work leading a new garbage bank and its health and economic impact in North Sumatra’s Cinta Rakyat community.
Colombia
Women from emerging coffee communities in Colombia discuss how they promote equality in the coffee industry.
Indonesia
MECIHO-A project participants describe how eco-enzyme fertilizer is made and how it benefits both their crops and economic wellbeing.
Stories and photos
Diana – ASOMUCA
In El Cairo village, Diana transformed her role from a quiet participant to a community leader, helping improve water access and decision-making at home and in her association. “The project hasn’t just helped me – it has helped us all. The WASH training has changed our understanding of hygiene.”
Pagit & Agita
A mother and daughter team lead a garbage bank that collects 200kg of waste monthly. Their leadership has inspired neighbors and helped turn trash into goods – and income. “We must seize the opportunity by doing our part.” – Pagit, Garbage Bank Manager
Markus
As a village council leader and father, Markus trained farmers – especially women – in eco-friendly fertilizer techniques, improving both crop quality and family incomes. “I am very grateful to the MECIHO team... helping us appreciate the environment and realize that waste can be transformed into a source of income.”
Youth Team
In Tanjung Barus community, a team of young men and women created organic fertilizer from household waste, helping their families lower costs and reduce chemical inputs. “I did not realize that household waste could be turned into valuable fertilizer... This has a very positive impact on our agriculture.” – Erbika, Youth Leader
Taranesia
Taranesia is a peer educator, leading her schoolmates in hygiene and waste management activities — and boosting her confidence and public speaking skills in the process. “Waste doesn’t have to be a big issue for us. We can overcome these issues by ourselves… because it starts with us. If it’s not us, who else?”
Mirta and Mahdalena
Neighbors Mirta and Mahdalena have turned their waste bank into a youth-friendly community center, where children deposit trash, read books and play educational games about hygiene. “When we introduce these ideas to children, they absorb them so quickly… It’s about teaching them early that cleanliness and health matter.” – Mahdalena, Waste Bank Treasurer
How it happens
This partnership brings together local knowledge, trusted community leaders, and practical solutions to improve daily life in coffee-growing communities. Every initiative is shaped by the people it serves – helping families live healthier lives, steward their natural resources, and strengthen and diversify their income sources.
Together, The Starbucks Foundation and Lutheran World Relief are supporting:
- Clean water and sanitation systems built by and for communities, improving health and dignity for families
- Hygiene education and outreach through local schools, women’s groups, and youth activities – helping households adopt habits that protect their health
- Waste management programs that turn household trash into opportunity – through community-run garbage banks, village-wide clean-up efforts, and hands-on education led by youth and local leaders
- Micro-enterprise training and basic financial literacy for women starting home-based businesses, including recycled crafts, fertilizers, and household goods
- Soil-smart farming techniques that help families protect their land and grow more sustainably – from composting to eco-friendly inputs like organic fertilizers and eco-enzymes
- Local leadership development, with women and youth trained to facilitate meetings, lead committees, and manage shared community resources
- Arts-based community development (ABCD), using traditional music, theater, and storytelling to build awareness and spark dialogue around shared responsibilities, the value of unpaid labor, and healthy practices in the community and at home.
These approaches are built on our long-term, trust-based presence in the region. The result is work that lasts, because it’s owned by the communities themselves.
Learn more
This work is made possible by The Starbucks Foundation, in partnership with Lutheran World Relief and the Corus International family of organizations.
Together, we are investing in women and youth, supporting families, and building healthier, more hopeful coffee-growing communities.
To explore more about this collaboration – and the broader efforts it connects to – explore the links below or reach out to our team.
Learn how The Starbucks Foundation supports communities around the world.
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