Photo credit: WaterAid/Frehiwot Gebrewold

More than 450 UK coffee shops are set to take part in UK Coffee Week, to raise funds in support of coffee-growing communities in Berbere, Ethiopia.  
 

London-based non-profit Project Waterfall has raised more than £1m ($1.2m) in support for global coffee-growing communities since 2011, providing 45,000 individuals with access to clean drinking water, sanitation and education. 
 

See related news: UK Coffee Week returns 16-22 October 2023

The proceeds from this year’s UK Coffee Week, taking place from 16-22 October 2023, will support Project Waterfall’s latest initiative in the Berbere district of Ethiopia which is set to provide a further 40,000 people with clean water by March 2025.  

The district of Berbere has been identified by the Government of Ethiopia as one of the highest-ranking areas in need of climate resilient water supplies, with unpredictable changes in rainfall patterns and deforestation causing increased risk of flooding and drought. 

The project, carried out in Ethiopia by WaterAid, includes the construction of a gravity-flow water system, comprising a 500m3 reservoir and a solar pumping system which are resilient to future climate shocks.  

Additionally, the Project Waterfall initiative will install 11 WASH kiosks, to ensure the water system is financially sustainable through collecting fees for the water, and construct climate resilient, equitable and inclusive water supply and sanitation facilities in three local schools and two healthcare centres.  

Each business participating in UK Coffee Week, whether a single-store independent coffee shop or multi-site international coffee chain, decides their own way to raise funds – from donating 10p from every coffee sold to organising events, raffles and bake sales.    

Eighty-eight percent of coffee outlets surveyed by Project Waterfall said taking part in UK Coffee Week had a positive impact on their business, from significant spikes in footfall and attracting new customers to sparking conversations about ethical and sustainable practice.   
 

There’s still time to register for UK Coffee Week: www.coffeeweekregistration.com