For Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS) coffee farmers and the improvement of their livelihoods is at the heart of the activities. We are following a unique and holistic approach in the areas of Agriculture, Farmer Organizations, Youth, Gender, Climate, Rural Livelihoods and Environment. The aim: to empower smallholder coffee farmers and strengthen their ability to independently achieve better livelihoods.
HRNS is a private foundation that implements grassroots projects with smallholder coffee farmers. HRNS aims to improve the lives of smallholder farmers in coffee growing regions. We establish a more level playing field, improve working and living conditions meanwhile addressing the challenges associated with protecting natural resources, climate change and biodiversity. HRNS recognizes the importance of treating environmental, social, and economic factors in an integrated manner. Improving the prospects for under-privileged coffee producers is the particular focus of its activities. However, it is equally important to create a wider awareness of the conditions and opportunities of farmers and their families, together with the need to conserve the environment and protect endangered natural resources. In order to reach larger numbers of beneficiaries we endeavour to scale up project experiences, roll out sustainable practices and thereby contribute to the implementation of change processes in the communities and countries we operate in.
Projects are currently implemented in Central- and South-America, Africa, Asia and Germany. The foundation implements projects for several private and public donors like Nestlé, Tim Hortons, USAID, Smuckers, Inter-American Development Bank, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Jacobs Foundation. The projects of International Coffee Partners GmbH, an initiative by the coffee companies Lavazza, Löfbergs, Paulig, Tchibo, Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, Joh. Johannson and Franck, are also put into practice by HRNS.
The Initiative for coffee&climate with the aim to enable coffee farmers to effectively respond to changing climate conditions is implemented by HRNS together with Conservation International.
The foundation runs field offices in Guatemala, Brazil, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Indonesia. Headquarters based in Hamburg, Germany, and another office is located in New York City.