In the bustling city of Baku, Azerbaijan, a quiet revolution brewed on March 1, 2025. Timur Lyapin, a local coffee enthusiast, hosted the first-ever Global Coffee Alliance for Good (GCAG) charity cupping—an event that proved small gatherings can pour big hope into the world. With 55 attendees sipping, tasting, and connecting, this humble cupping raised $141.35 USD to support small coffee farmers—a drop in the bucket that ripples far beyond its size.
The Numbers Tell a Story
The event drew 55 unique participants, each contributing $2.57 USD. From Hasan’s late-night donation on March 1 to Fidan’s early pledge in the begining, every ticket sold was a vote for change. The total? A modest $141.35. But as we at I’M NOT A BARISTA know, it’s not just about the dollars; it’s about the movement.
Small Actions, Big Connections
Picture this: a room in Baku filled with coffee lovers—some baristas, some curious newcomers—huddled over cups, slurping brews from distant farms and roasters on the other side of the world. Aysel Guluzada (@aysel.guluzada), Authorized SCA Trainer Timur Lyapin (@timly.coffee), and CoffeeBar Roastery (@coffeebar_roastery), our tireless hosts, didn’t just serve coffee; they served purpose. Each sip was a bridge—linking Azerbaijan to Colombia, where GCAG trains farmers like the Gomez sisters to refine their craft. These small events knit us together, proving coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a thread across cultures, borders, and languages.
The beauty of this cupping event lies in its simplicity. No grand stage, no hefty budget—just a shared love for coffee and a willingness to give. Yet, it sparked something profound. The $3 entrance fee wasn’t charity in the traditional sense—it was solidarity, a handshake through time zones, a whisper of “we see you” to those who grow our beans.
Why It Matters
At I’M NOT A BARISTA, we founded GCAG to empower the unsung heroes of coffee—small farmers who toil without fanfare. Timur’s event is a perfect echo of that mission. Sure, $141 won’t transform the industry overnight, but it’s a start. It buys food, funds training, or plants trees—tangible steps toward sustainability. More than that, it’s a spark. When 55 people in Baku show up, it inspires others—maybe in London, Berlin, or New York—to do the same. That’s the magic of grassroots: small flames catch, and soon, you’ve got a fire.
Beyond the Cup
This isn’t about the money alone—it’s about what it represents. Coffee connects us, and events like this prove it transcends borders. Timur didn’t need to meet the farmers he helped; their stories reached him through GCAG, and he acted. That’s the power of community—quiet, steady, unstoppable. We’re thrilled to see this small movement grow, not because of the amount raised, but because of the hearts it touched.
Join the Brew
Timur’s cupping is a call to action. To businesses, cafes, and coffee lovers everywhere: you don’t need a big budget to make a difference. Host a cupping, share a story, donate a dollar—join GCAG. Together, we’re not just drinking coffee—we’re brewing a better world, one small sip at a time.
