A cup of coffee can connect worlds that are thousands of kilometers apart.
In September 2024, Sawa World joined coffee industry leaders, partners and change-makers in Turin, Italy, as Fondazione Lavazza celebrated its 20th anniversary. For Sawa World, the occasion was an opportunity to reflect on an important question: What will it take to ensure that young people see a future in coffee farming?
Representing Sawa World were Founder, Daphne Nederhorst, Executive Director, Sheila Ampumuza, and Programs & Impacts Manager, Esther Makooma.
The anniversary brought together people and organizations working to build a stronger and more sustainable future for coffee-growing communities. For Sawa World, it was also an opportunity to share the story of the Ujana Coffee Project and the experiences of young coffee farmers in Uganda.
Placing Young Coffee Farmers at the Centre
Young people are critical to coffee’s future. Yet many young coffee farmers face challenges that make farming unsustainable, these include unpredictable weather, fluctuating coffee prices, limited access to land, and unreliable incomes. These challenges make agriculture less attractive to younger generations, with some young people choosing to leave their farms in search of opportunities in urban areas.
In Uganda, where young people make up a large share of the population, keeping youth engaged in agriculture is particularly important for the future of coffee. This is the challenge that Fondazione Lavazza and Sawa World began addressing through the Ujana Coffee Project in 2019: how can we motivate young people to remain engaged in coffee farming while strengthening their livelihoods?
The response is beyond coffee farming alone.
Sharing the Ujana Coffee Project Story
As Sawa World, we believe in equipping people with practical local income skills and opportunities to create income for themselves and their families.
The Ujana Coffee Project was developed after engaging young coffee farmers in Central Uganda to understand their challenges and aspirations. Farmers highlighted the need for entrepreneurial skills to diversify their income alongside coffee farming.
Through the project, young farmers have gained practical income-generating skills, including mushroom farming, eco-fuel cooking briquettes, notebook making, and other small business opportunities.
At the anniversary event, Sawa World Country Director Sheila Ampumuza shared insights from the Ujana Coffee Project and highlighted the role of young coffee farmers in shaping the future of the coffee industry.
Looking Towards the Future of Coffee
The future of coffee depends not only on the health of coffee plants and markets, but also on the people who grow coffee.
Young farmers need opportunities to see agriculture as a viable and rewarding livelihood, one where they can develop skills, generate income, and build sustainable futures for themselves and their families. Sawa World is proud to contribute to this vision through the Ujana Coffee Project and grateful to Fondazione Lavazza for the continued partnership.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to working alongside young farmers and partners to create practical pathways for stronger livelihoods and a resilient future for coffee-growing communities.
From Uganda to the World
Being part of Fondazione Lavazza’s 20th anniversary celebration in Turin was an opportunity to share the Ujana Coffee Project story. It was also a reminder that solutions developed within communities in Uganda can contribute to conversations about the future of coffee far beyond Uganda.
We are grateful for the opportunity to share the experiences of young coffee farmers, celebrate the progress made, and connect with partners who share the same vision.
Together, we can help young coffee farmers turn their skills, resources, and ideas into stronger livelihoods and a more sustainable future for coffee.
Partner with us
Are you interested in supporting practical, community-led approaches that strengthen livelihoods? Connect with Sawa World to explore how we can work together to create lasting impact. Call us on +256 789 981 872 or email us at info@sawaworld.org.
