People's University

Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, a 19th-century educator, proposed the principle of "learning and living under one roof," which has become a model for many people's universities. We aim to adapt this principle as our own for the Coffee People's University.

Grundtvigian universities are out-of-school, autonomous institutions that implement the idea of holistic education and lifelong learning.

These institutions are founded on the principles of alumni self-governance and are dedicated to cultivating civic education, fostering intercultural awareness, counteracting social marginalization, promoting environmental and agricultural knowledge, and facilitating socio-cultural animation of local communities. Drawing from a diverse array of Catholic and secular currents, these institutions have gained prominence in Austria, Scandinavian countries, and various regions throughout Europe.

In Poland, they are affiliated with the National Network of People's Universities (Ogólnopolska Sieć Uniwersytetów Ludowych). These institutions offer educational programs encompassing agroecology, handicrafts, and arts, in addition to courses focused on social and personal development, as well as technological training.Each university boasts its own distinctive characteristics, serving as a communal space where students not only convene but also engage in collaborative learning and mutual exchange.

The initiative to establish the inaugural people's university dedicated to coffee and associated domains, such as the fermentation process, emerged from the conceptualization of The Better Coffee. The development of this initiative necessitates dedicated spaces, which are referred to as "The Place," that adhere strictly to the principles outlined in the standard. The establishment of these spaces is driven by the recognition of social responsibility on the part of their founders.

Learn more about The Better Coffee standard - buy a The Better Coffee White Paper.

The Coffee People's University (CPU) is a proposed educational institution with the objective of preparing students for future challenges and activities. The university's primary mission is to engage in pro-social and ecologically valuable activities that benefit the local community.

The university is to be located in a rural area with biodiversity potential, and its primary goal is to achieve food self-sufficiency. The campus will include, among other facilities, residential units for caregivers and students, workshops, a lecture hall, and a cafeteria.

The long-term vision for the initiative includes the establishment of similar institutions by alumni of the initial university, potentially in countries where coffee production is prevalent. The first such university is planned for Poland.

In summary, the goals of Coffee People's University are to be:

• Students and teachers work together to learn from each other through hands-on experience and real-life examples;

• They support organic farming, especially coffee farming and other fermented food products;

• They teach civic education and encourage understanding between different cultures;

• They help people who are treated unfairly in society;

• They promote knowledge of the region where The People's University operates;

• Environmental education;

• Socio-cultural animation of local environments;

• To awaken in students the motivation to develop, the courage to seek and discover their talents and vocation;

• Contributing to the development and popularization of The Better Coffee standard.

The project is currently in the structural organization stage, and the documentation to apply for a targeted grant is being prepared.

We are seeking support from sponsors, particularly companies engaged in corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the coffee industry.

Additionally, we are seeking a consulting company with experience in obtaining grants in the field of people's universities to act as a partner.Individuals interested in co-founding a future Coffee People's University are also welcome to participate.

The budget is flexible and subject to variation based on the selected location, due to the necessity of purchasing and adapting the site to initiate fundamental TBCpu operations. The budget is indicative at this stage and will be finalized within the specified framework.