The UN Development Programme and Lavazza Foundation launch a new phase to deliver clean water and scale sustainable agriculture in Ecuador’s coffee heartland. Corporate sustainability and climate resilience are at the core of this initiative, as ESG BROADCAST shares key takeaways.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Lavazza Foundation have announced an expanded partnership to advance sustainable coffee production and bring safe water access to rural communities in southern Ecuador. This next phase of collaboration, unveiled in July 2025, builds on the ProAmazonía programme’s previous successes and targets deeper integration of climate-resilient infrastructure and education in Lavazza’s supply chain regions.
Focusing on the coffee-producing cantons of Chinchipe and Palanda, the initiative will support over 5,000 students and 400 teachers by installing innovative water filtration systems in schools. In parallel, the project will roll out environmental education campaigns, school infrastructure upgrades, and enhanced community engagement efforts. This combined approach is expected to significantly reduce school absenteeism, strengthen community resilience, and boost rural livelihoods linked to sustainable agriculture.
The Italo-Latin American International Organization (IILA) has joined as a technical partner to support water system installations, furthering the reach of the project across the southern Amazon. “Ecuador stands as a pioneer in sustainable production, conserving its forest heritage while transforming local economies,” noted Inka Mattila, UNDP Ecuador Resident Representative. The Lavazza Foundation will, for the first time, route funding directly through UNDP—marking a milestone in international public–private cooperation.
“This initiative creates a blueprint for meaningful private sector involvement in climate solutions,” said Cassie Flynn, UNDP’s Global Director for Climate Change. “We are setting a new benchmark for deforestation-free coffee, one that is already recognised in Ecuador’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).” Notably, the partnership’s efforts led to the 2024 launch of Ecuador’s first deforestation-free coffee batch in Torino, Italy, showcasing how sustainable production models can unlock market value.
Mario Cerutti, Lavazza’s Chief Institutional Relations & Sustainability Officer, reaffirmed Lavazza’s long-term vision during a recent UNDP dialogue: “By delivering clean water to communities central to our supply chain, we are investing in shared resilience and responsible growth,” he said.
Looking ahead, UNDP and Lavazza plan to replicate the model in other countries, tailoring it to local climate contexts and development priorities. The collaboration will be showcased at high-level global platforms, including the UN General Assembly and COP30 in Brazil, to advocate for scalable, inclusive climate action.
This public–private partnership exemplifies how sustainability commitments can be grounded in local action and global visibility. ESG BROADCAST will continue monitoring the updates related to this topic. Stay tuned to be updated on the related policy and pivotal regulatory shift.
