uplifting the women at the heart of happy coffee

uplifting the women at the heart of happy coffee

An update on our Women’s Group project with female coffee farmers in Colombia. 

At happy®, we know great coffee is about taking care of people - from those who cultivate it, to those who enjoy it. That belief came to life this year in Colombia, where our partners in Antioquia implemented the first phase of our Women’s Group Project. The goal: to empower female coffee farmers and strengthen their roles on their farms, in their families, and in their communities.

From February through August 2025, this project brought together 20 women in coffee farming for a series of workshops focused on leadership, business skills, and mental health. We didn’t know exactly what to expect, but what unfolded went beyond what we dreamed. 

Phase One: Five Workshops, Real-World Impact

The program consisted of five workshops, led by agronomists, social workers, and a psychologist. Each session was designed to meet women where they are and respond to the realities of their lives.

Self-Leadership
The opening workshop focused on self-leadership — helping women recognize their own influence and agency. Participants developed practical strategies to strengthen their voices and leadership within their households and communities.

Gender Equity
The second workshop explored gender gaps and how they affect autonomy and well-being. Women gained a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges they face and how naming them is the first step toward change.

Occupational Health & Safety
In the third session, women increased their awareness of workplace risks and learned concrete safety measures they could immediately apply on their farms.

Mental Health
The fourth workshop centered on mental health, a topic many participants had never been formally supported around before. Women learned practical tools for emotional regulation and self-care. Importantly, this session also identified four critical cases of emotional distress, allowing for early awareness and future support.

Record Keeping & Decision-Making
The final workshop focused on accurate record keeping. Women recognized how tracking information strengthens decision-making and reinforces their role in farm management. Every participant adopted these practices.

The results were powerful:

• 84% participation and engagement across all five workshops

• 100% adoption of project practices by participants

• Five women emerged as community leaders, demonstrating how empowerment translates into action

Perhaps most importantly, Phase One revealed something essential: when women are given space to be heard, not just to listen, real transformation happens. This first phase laid the foundation for a deeper, longer term empowerment journey.

Phase Two, Focused on Mental Health

Based on what emerged in Phase One, we’re embarking on a Phase Two program (March–June 2026) with an even stronger emphasis on mental health.

This next phase will include:

• Personalized psychological sessions for the four women identified with critical emotional distress
  
  

• Group workshops for all 20 participants, centered on:

• Emotional intelligence and self-awareness

• Art therapy for emotional expression

• Self-care and stress management

Phase Two aims to continue strengthening emotional well-being because thriving farmers build thriving farms, families, and communities. And, as we learn alongside our partners, we’ll continue looking for ways to do more to support farmers in Colombia and the other communities where happy® comes from.

from the source: feedback from the superheroes leading this program

Throughout the project, members of the Colombian implementation team shared what they witnessed firsthand. 

Anny
“This project created specific spaces where women could truly express themselves. It opened a window to the human side — not only the technical side. What stood out most is that the women are applying everything they learned. They are no longer ashamed to share what they think or feel, and they are able to speak openly in public.”

Manuel
“On behalf of all the women, I want to express deep gratitude. They are happy to have spaces where they can express themselves, and they feel positively influenced by the project. Through empowerment and leadership skills, they are now able to make choices and decisions.”

Amalia
“Implementing this project was a powerful learning experience for our team. The mental health workshop — especially the diagnostic component — showed us how important it is to continue working on mental health. We want to grow this initiative so more women can participate.”

At happy®, we believe magic happens when people are seen, heard, and uplifted as whole humans.This Women’s Group Project is just one example of what’s possible when coffee is paired with care. And we’re proud to keep learning, listening, and growing alongside the women who make every cup possible.