A lot of money is invested in coffee sustainability every year. But does it have the effect we’re all hoping for? Well, that exactly is our mission: to make sure that funding goes to projects and approaches that are proven to be efficient and effective.
A lot of money is invested in coffee sustainability every year. But does it have the effect we’re all hoping for? Well, that exactly is our mission: to make sure that funding goes to projects and approaches that are proven to be efficient and effective.
Data-informed development
cooperation in coffee
HereWeGrow is a non-profit funding organization based in Hamburg, Germany, dedicated to improving the lives of coffee farming families.
Since 2020, we are funding projects in Ethiopia and Uganda as well as at the sector level. We are committed to finding, testing, and improving effective approaches for the benefit of smallholder farmers and their families. Our key impact metric is household income, and we rate success of a project by measuring its Social Return on Investment (SROI).
Guided by a diverse team of experts in coffee, agriculture, sustainability, data science, development management and economics, as well as local experts in the project regions, we actively share lessons learned with the coffee sector to expand our impact beyond our scope of work.
As an organization established by the founding family of Tchibo, one of Europe’s largest coffee roasters, and funded by the Max and Ingeburg Herz Foundation, we can genuinely say that we are rooted in coffee.
Data-informed development
cooperation in coffee
HereWeGrow is a non-profit funding organization based in Hamburg, Germany, dedicated to improving the lives of coffee farming families.
Since 2020, we are funding projects in Ethiopia and Uganda as well as at the sector level. We are committed to finding, testing, and improving effective approaches for the benefit of smallholder farmers and their families. Our key impact metric is household income, and we rate success of a project by measuring its Social Return on Investment (SROI).
Guided by a diverse team of experts in coffee, agriculture, sustainability, data science, development management and economics, as well as local experts in the project regions, we actively share lessons learned with the coffee sector to expand our impact beyond our scope of work.
As an organization established by the founding family of Tchibo, one of Europe’s largest coffee roasters, and funded by the Max and Ingeburg Herz Foundation, we can genuinely say that we are rooted in coffee.
Meet our team
Kehinde
Atere
Data
Analyst
Kehinde supports HereWeGrow’s data and impact work as a working student with a background in agricultural economics and experience in the field – combining technical skills with a commitment to advancing rural development.
Jan
von Enden
Managing
Director
With over 20 years of experience in building sustainability partnerships in the coffee, Jan drives HereWeGrow’s mission to create lasting impact for coffee-farming household in Ethiopia and Uganda.
Theresa
Frank
Head of
Operations
With her roots in sustainability consulting and organizational development, Theresa secures HereWeGrow’s organizational growth and strategic alignment across teams and functions – ensuring that every initiative delivers evidence and impact for our target group.
Marlene
Gutiérrez
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager
With her strong foundation in agricultural economics, rural development, and impact measurement combined with field experience from India and East Africa, Marlene assures that we produce meaningful, actionable evidence to improve coffee smallholder livelihoods.
Lidia
Mordel
Country Lead Ethiopia
Combining private- and development-sector experience with her deep knowledge of the Ethiopian context, Lidia leads HereWeGrow’s efforts to grow a strong funding portfolio in Ethiopia.
Seyran Toker
de Freitas
Country Lead Uganda
Combining her agronomic background and hands-on experience as a coffee farmer and roaster in Brazil, Seyran steers HereWeGrow’s Ugandan portfolio with a strong commitment to impact, efficiency, and better incomes for smallholder farming communities.
Sarah
Wiegel
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager
Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in research and evaluation in development economics, Sarah helps drive HereWeGrow’s mission to use evidence as a cornerstone for better decision-making and meaningful impact.
Want to grow with us?
Explore your career opportunities at HereWeGrow.
FROM INCOME TO
WEALTH
Our key impact metric is household income
However, we believe that improving income is only the first major step on the journey towards better lives. It allows farmers to own their progress, expand their opportunities, and create a foundation for future generations. And to grow wealth.
Wealth, in our definition, is more than just money – it’s the foundation for a dignified life. It means building resilience and creating lasting well-being for families and communities.
WHO WE PARTNER WITH
We fund organizations that use promising or tested approaches to improve the incomes of smallholder households in coffee growing regions, particularly in Ethiopia and Uganda.
HOW WE FUND IMPACT
Our funding strategy builds on evidence and aims for scale. We support organizations to do what they are best at and to generate evidence – before we help scale up what is working. This is what we call impact funding.
WHO WE PARTNER WITH
We fund organizations that use promising or tested approaches to improve the incomes of smallholder households in coffee growing regions, particularly in Ethiopia and Uganda.
HOW WE FUND IMPACT
Our funding strategy builds on evidence and aims for scale. We support organizations to do what they are best at and to generate evidence – before we help scale up what is working. This is what we call impact funding.
Funded by the Max and Ingeburg Herz Foundation
Our work is primarily financed through the Max and Ingeburg Herz Stiftung. Both organizations share the same goal of improving the livelihoods of coffee farmers and their families.
WHAT’s GROWING ON
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GET IN TOUCH WITH US
Together, let’s shape the future of coffee – with proof, not guesswork.
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