Building Futures, One Young Voice at a Time
What happens when 126 young people from rural Guatemala gather in one place to talk about their future? You get something electric. You get Coffee Camp 2025.
But this isn't just another workshop or training session. It’s a space where young people are seen, heard, and empowered. It’s where futures take shape. Not in abstract terms, but through laughter, new friendships, tough questions, and eye-opening moments. At Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS), we believe that this is what real change looks like: youth at the center, driving transformation, not waiting for it.
The Power of Belonging
In the coffee regions of Guatemala, the statistics speak volumes. Only 16% of producers are under 30. Just 6% own land. And 14% hold leadership roles. For many rural youth, the path into the coffee sector is filled with barriers.
Coffee Camp exists to break those down.
"I made wonderful connections with people who are as passionate about coffee as I am," said Anayeli Larios from La Democracia. "I’m leaving with an experience that is deeply enriching for me, and something I can share with others."
Her words reflect what Coffee Camp is truly about: connection, opportunity, and a sense of possibility.
Learning that Sparks Leadership
Over four dynamic days, participants rotated through hands-on learning stations on sustainability, entrepreneurship, soil health, quality, and inclusion. They heard from role models like Dulce Barrera, Guatemala’s first female national cupping champion, and Alejandro Herrera, a 2018 Coffee Camp alumnus turned entrepreneur.
Each conversation and activity was designed with a single purpose: help young people see that they matter. That their ideas, energy, and curiosity are not only welcome but essential.
"My expectations were to learn about the different types of coffee and how to distinguish their notes," said Jacqueline Montejo of Jacaltenango. "There’s so much to discover in just one cup."
Curiosity like Jacqueline's fuels more than knowledge. It builds confidence, opens new paths, and creates leaders.
Youth Leading Youth
One of the most powerful parts of Coffee Camp 2025 was seeing the circle complete itself.
Octavio Monzón joined the first Coffee Camp in 2018. This year, he returned as a member of the organizing team. "My vision has changed," he shared. "Now I see how young people learn, just like I did in the past."
Likewise, Beatriz Méndoza spoke of how her journey began with a simple introduction to the sector. "Today I work directly with producers and look for ways to support them. Part of my development is thanks to HRNS."
These stories prove that youth engagement is not a one-time intervention. It’s a continuum. When we invest in youth today, they return tomorrow as mentors, leaders, and changemakers.
A Culture of Joy and Purpose
What sets Coffee Camp apart is its energy. Whether it was the Coffee Rally, a V60 brewing competition, or the Youth Entrepreneurship Fair, every activity was infused with joy. That joy matters.
Too often, development programs focus on skills and forget the soul. "At HRNS, we believe that purpose and passion must go hand in hand. When young people feel seen, when they feel they belong, they thrive," says Pablo Ruiz, Co-Regional Manager at HRNS Central America. "And when they thrive, so do their communities."
More Than an Event - A Movement
Coffee Camp 2025 was made possible through collaboration with 15 partners across the private and development sectors. Their support ensured that every young person not only gained new knowledge but experienced what it means to be part of a community that believes in them.
But the most important partners? The youth themselves.
Their voices, ideas, and ambitions are reshaping what the future of coffee looks like in Guatemala. They are proving that coffee is not just a product - it’s a platform. A way to stay rooted in their communities, lead with purpose, and build futures that reflect their values.
Looking Ahead
This is just the beginning.
HRNS will continue to place youth at the center of everything we do. Because the next generation doesn’t need us to chart the path for them. They need space to walk it, support to grow, and the belief that their dreams matter.
Coffee Camp is one way we bring that vision to life.
Together, we’re not just imagining a better future.
We’re building it.
Coffee Camp 2025 was supported by: Tim Hortons, FAO, Food for the Hungry, Fundacion BI, Swisscontact, Intecap, K-Finos, ofi, OFI, Pro Agricultor, Servex.
