Bring a GCAG Charity Cupping to Your City.
One city at a time, one shared purpose. Cup the same coffee for the same cause. A local cupping, part of a global effort. From different cities, one shared table.
Global Coffee Alliance for Good (GCAG) is our way of turning coffee connection into real action. Started by I’M NOT A BARISTA in 2024, GCAG exists to support small coffee farmers through practical education, useful tools, and community-driven collaboration. We believe every dollar donated, every tool shared, and every hour given should lead to something real, visible, and meaningful.
At its heart, GCAG is about people — bringing together coffee businesses, professionals, and everyday supporters to create direct impact at origin, one small step at a time.
Indonesia 26′ Project Status
$
800
funds raised
16
+
brands working with us
160
+
Tools Confirmed
Primary Partner
Location: East Java, Indonesia
Format: 3-day free education program
Participants: 15–20 young farmers
Focus: brewing, sensory, processing, coffee quality
Status: planning in progress
Equipment Partner: TIMEMORE
Funding Goal: open
Day 1 — Coffee basics, farm context, brewing foundations
Day 2 — Sensory, extraction, tasting, practical learning
Day 3 — Community brewing session, reflection, certificates
GCAG Indonesia 2026
This year, we aim to host a free 3-day training program for 20 young coffee farmers, focused on brewing, sensory, processing, and coffee quality. Alongside technical learning, we also want to expand perspective by bringing in exceptional coffees from different origins, helping farmers taste and experience the wider possibilities of specialty coffee.
With 80+ brewing tools confirmed by TIMEMORE, strong support from local partners, and more coffee partners joining us, the project is already taking shape. We are now continuing the next stage: confirming the farm, selecting students, coordinating trainers, and raising the remaining funds needed for meals, logistics, and on-the-ground project costs.
Our Partners
This project is made possible through the collaboration and support of dedicated partners who share our vision of creating a positive impact on coffee communities
Want to be part of this impactful journey?
TIMEMORE has joined GCAG as the key partner, playing a crucial role in the development and growth of this initiative. Beyond simply participating in the exclusive wristband design, TIMEMORE has shown their dedication by placing an order for 2,000 wristbands and contributing $4,000 ($2 for each wristband sold). When we proposed this collaboration to TIMEMORE, we received an enthusiastic and almost immediate commitment, showcasing their eagerness to support our cause.
For years, we've admired TIMEMORE’s innovative designs and commitment to quality. As long-time fans, partnering with TIMEMORE feels like a dream come true and a significant step toward achieving our shared goals.
As a key partner, TIMEMORE’s contributions go beyond the initial $4,000 donation. They have also committed to sharing a portion of profits from future charity product sales, ensuring continuous funding for GCAG’s projects. This commitment guarantees that our impact will keep growing over time, supported by a trusted brand with a history of excellence.
In addition to the cash donation, TIMEMORE has offered to provide free brewing tools to students and local collaborators. This support ensures that essential tools will be available not just during classes, but also for daily use, enabling ongoing practice and skill development.
Moreover, TIMEMORE is leveraging their influence at international coffee events to work alongside I'M NOT A BARISTA for continuous fundraising efforts. This means that you will see TIMEMORE's charity products showcased at global coffee events, bringing the impact of GCAG to an international stage and making it accessible to coffee lovers everywhere.
We deeply appreciate TIMEMORE’s committed efforts and ongoing support in making this initiative possible. Their involvement sets a powerful example for other businesses, demonstrating how collaboration and dedication can create lasting, positive change within the coffee community. We hope to see more businesses like TIMEMORE join our mission to create a united, collaborative impact on a global scale.
Archers is a Green Coffee Trader, Roastery, and certified SCA and CQI Coffee Academy.
Archers was founded in 2018 by a group of six friends from different walks of life. They were brought together by their love for specialty coffee and the desire to spread the joy of the specialty coffee experience all over the country. Thankfully, too, the country’s robust global trade infrastructure enabled their shared ambition to thrive. Having observed that the barrier to more people enjoying their common passion was the near absence of appropriately priced, high-quality green beans and specialty coffee education, they established Archers as a green coffee trader, roastery, and coffee academy to contribute to solving the problem.
Archers was founded in 2018 by a group of six friends from different walks of life. They were brought together by their love for specialty coffee and the desire to spread the joy of the specialty coffee experience all over the country. Thankfully, too, the country’s robust global trade infrastructure enabled their shared ambition to thrive. Having observed that the barrier to more people enjoying their common passion was the near absence of appropriately priced, high-quality green beans and specialty coffee education, they established Archers as a green coffee trader, roastery, and coffee academy to contribute to solving the problem.
From the start, Archers has been chasing top quality by focusing on higher-end specialty coffees, sourcing only cup scores 85-86 and higher, and pursuing and nurturing relationships with a meticulously selected coterie of like-minded producing partners driven by the same aspiration to excellence. Consequently, the Archers roasting approach respects the hard work and dedication of our producing partners to provide us with high-quality greens by roasting with the intention of merely revealing the intrinsic virtues of terroir and variety, and giving way for the remarkable attributes, achieved through purposeful processing to shine.
At Archers, the aim has always been and will always be to continually meet the evolving needs of our customers — at all levels — and contribute to advancing our industry and enriching our community. We have done this so far by expanding our coffee collection of single origins to include 13 countries, represented by some of the world’s most renowned producers.
Specialty coffee chain in Guiyang China, run by the first female barista champion in China
LAYBIRD Coffee is a coffee equipment brand dedicated to designing thoughtful, precise, and user-friendly tools for coffee lovers and baristas. Our products focus on combining functionality, clean design, and practical innovation to make the brewing experience more enjoyable and effortless. From the MagAttach precision coffee scale to our upcoming Nexus 64X grinder, we aim to create tools that support better coffee making while building meaningful connections within the global coffee community.
Finca El Porvenir is an independent coffee farm in Colombia led by Camilo, the founder of Wenka Green Coffee. Located in the cloud forest zone of the Andes at around 1,800 meters above sea level, the farm has spent years focusing on quality-driven specialty coffee, with a strong commitment to careful cultivation, micro-lot work, and long-term ecological farming practices. The farm is especially known for its Gesha, grown under full shade and shaped by volcanic soil, cool nights, and slow cherry maturation.
What makes Finca El Porvenir meaningful to GCAG is not only its quality, but its connection to origin and to the deeper story behind coffee. Over the years, the farm’s coffees have earned major recognition, including top placements in Colombia’s Cup of Excellence and the country’s national quality competition. But beyond awards, what matters to us is the willingness to share beautiful coffees with a wider coffee community — including young farmers who may experience these flavors and possibilities for the first time through GCAG.
For GCAG Indonesia 2026, Finca El Porvenir will support the project by providing green coffee from Colombia, helping us bring a wider range of origin experiences into the learning journey. For us, this is exactly what GCAG is about: coffee people from different parts of the world coming together, not just to talk about quality, but to share it in a meaningful way
XSTONE (没有石头) is a Yunnan-based specialty green coffee supplier working closely with farms and producers across the Pu’er coffee region.
Their focus is not only sourcing high-quality Yunnan Arabica coffees, but also exploring different processing methods, small experimental lots, and coffees with strong regional character. Through direct relationships with producers, XSTONE helps connect Yunnan coffees with roasters, cuppers, and coffee communities around the world.
For this year’s GCAG Global Cupping, XSTONE generously supported the project by sharing several coffees from Yunnan, including washed Geisha, SL-34, Purple Typica, honey-processed Sachim, and anaerobic natural lots from producers such as Tianyu, Tianhao, and Yunlan Estate.
These coffees represent different elevations, varieties, and processing styles from Yunnan’s growing specialty coffee scene, and we’re incredibly thankful to have them as part of this global cupping journey.
Grand Cru is a specialty green coffee company founded by Ellen Fan, focused on sourcing and supplying coffees from both international origins and China’s Yunnan coffee region.
Over the years, Ellen has worked closely with producers, estates, and coffee professionals across different coffee origins, with experience in international coffee evaluation and judging, including participation in global coffee events and competitions.
Alongside sourcing coffees from producing countries such as Panama and Colombia, Grand Cru also works with farms and processing stations in Yunnan to help identify and introduce distinctive Chinese coffees to the wider specialty coffee community.
For this year’s GCAG Global Cupping, Grand Cru generously supported the project by sharing coffees from different origins, helping connect more coffee people around the world through a shared cupping experience.
Outman Coffee Roastery
Yohan spent close to a decade abroad, studying computer science and launching ventures before returning to build NiR’s digital infrastructure. He now oversees NiR's website, tooling, and logistics end-to-end, making sure data, inventory, and shipments are all running smoothly. Every so often he still fires up the roaster—coffee has been a steady obsession since his high-school days.
With more than a decade in coffee—covering café management, consulting, barista coaching, competition judging, and roasting—Yusuf brings a wide-ranging perspective to the production floor. He keeps schedules, training, and quality control aligned so accessibility never means compromising standards. That context helps him translate producer intent into dependable profiles. When new ideas land, he’s the one piloting them through the roastery before they scale.
Owen is a coffee-obsessed lawyer who escapes the monotony of arguing over what words mean by focusing on the entrancing process of brewing pourover coffee at home. In addition to loving coffee, he loves to help people. He believes that it only seems right that the people who work so hard to produce the coffee that he enjoys from his home in Alabama should get to learn how to brew and enjoy their coffee for themselves. Empowering people is a goal of his: it's why he left the world of for-profit business to go to law school to become a public defender. Standing by people who are often overlooked is a powerful way to rebalance the scales (of justice and coffee) to be more equitable for all.
Marta is an International Management undergraduate based in the UK and a speciality barista who found her passion for coffee backpacking across Latin America and Asia visiting farms, discovering brewing cultures, and stumbling across places like the infamous Weasel Farm. Having already raised thousands for charity and summited Kilimanjaro last summer, she brings that same drive to GCAG. With women forming the backbone of coffee farming worldwide yet remaining underrepresented where the value is made, she's drawn to projects that close the gap between those who grow the coffee and those who profit from it.
A Global Cupping for Good
Bring a GCAG Charity Cupping to Your City
The Global Charity Cupping is one of the most exciting parts of GCAG Indonesia 2026. Coffee shops, roasters, and communities in different parts of the world are coming together to host local cupping events — sharing coffee, raising funds, and supporting one common purpose. What makes it special is simple: people in different cities can cup the same coffees for the same reason. It is a small event locally, but together it becomes a global act of connection.
Ways to Support
GCAG is built through collaboration. Whether you are a coffee business, roaster, café, trader, designer, or community organizer, there are different ways to support GCAG Indonesia 2026. Some partners donate cash, some donate coffee or tools, and others organize local events and contribute the profits. Every effort matters. You do not need to make a big commitment to make a meaningful impact. Small support, local events, and simple collaborations all matter.
- Global Cupping Event
- Coffee Selection
- Donate Funds
- Donate Coffee or Tools
- Volunteer Skills or Local Support
Organize a local paid cupping and donate the proceeds, or part of the profits, to support GCAG Indonesia 2026. If your event is cupping-focused, we may also be able to help coordinate a small selection of specialty coffees through our coffee partners. This could include a limited “highlight coffee” and some for educational tasting, depending on availability.
What we may provide
Depending on availability:
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specialty coffees
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charity wristbands
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promo materials
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social support
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listing on our website, media, and all promotions.
Suggested fundraising goal
$100 USD per partner
Who can apply
Cafés, roasters, traders, schools, community organizers, and coffee professionals
For this year’s GCAG Global Cupping, we are working with coffee producers, green bean suppliers, and coffee partners from different origins to build a coffee list that represents both quality and the stories behind the beans.
From Yunnan to Panama and Colombia, these coffees are carefully selected to reflect the character of their origins and communities. We hope this cupping becomes more than just tasting coffee.
From seeds to cups.
From cups back to origin.
This coffee list is still evolving, and more coffees will be added each week as new partners join the project.
XSTONE Coffee Selection — GCAG Global Cupping
- HF-001
Anaerobic Pre-Fermentation Natural
Variety: T8667
Flavor Notes: Citrus, winey, caramel - Tianyu Sachim Honey
Honey Process
Variety: Sachim
Flavor Notes: Cape gooseberry, roasted nuts, roasted sweet potato, tamarind finish - Tianhao Washed Geisha
(COE Pilot Competition – 8th Place)
Washed Process
Variety: Geisha
Flavor Notes: Citrus, apple, nuts - Yunlan Washed SL-34
Washed Process
Variety: SL-34
Flavor Notes: Cherry tomato, caramel, roasted sweet potato - HF-010
Purple Leaf Typica – Traditional Washed
Variety: Purple Leaf Typica
Flavor Notes: Floral, citrus, green tea, brown sugar
Help us create a meaningful learning experience by contributing high-quality coffees or practical training tools.
What we need:
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Coffee for cupping and sensory training
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Cupping spoons *30
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Small equipment or supplies
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T-shirts for students
Support the project through your time, knowledge, and local coordination.
Examples:
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Graphic design
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Translation
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Media support
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Local trainer / assistant
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Event coordination
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the Global Coffee Alliance for Good (GCAG)?
GCAG is a unique charity collaboration initiated by I’M NOT A BARISTA, designed to support international small-scale coffee farmers through coffee education, access to essential tools, and financial assistance. We aim to bring tangible, sustainable impact to the coffee community while fostering collaboration among businesses, individuals, and local partners.
3. What is the goal of the GCAG Indonesia Project?
The goal is to provide small coffee farmers in Java and surrounding areas with comprehensive training to enhance their coffee cultivation, processing, brewing, sensory, and farm management skills.
4. What makes GCAG different from other charity projects?
GCAG is built on fun and open collaboration with businesses and individuals. We believe in transparency, accessibility, and measurable impact. With continuous funds from initiatives like our coffee wristbands, we ensure that the support for our projects is sustainable and ongoing. We also document every stage of the project to keep all stakeholders informed and engaged.
5. Why did GCAG choose Indonesia in 2026?
Indonesia is one of the most important coffee-producing countries in the world, yet many young farmers still have limited access to specialty coffee knowledge, sensory education, and a wider understanding of what coffee can become.
For us, GCAG has never been only about tools or training. It is also about perspective.
This year, in addition to the core education program, we want to bring in outstanding coffees from different origins — coffees that can truly surprise and inspire. Many of us still remember that first cup of specialty coffee that changed the way we saw coffee forever. We hope to bring that same kind of moment to the farmers: a chance to experience how beautiful, complex, and meaningful coffee can be, and to see the possibilities within their own work more clearly.
At the same time, Indonesia feels right because of the people. We have our dear friend Tanty, and Nir Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster in Malang that we met during our 2025 Asia tour. They believe in what we do and are willing to support the project locally. For a community-based project like GCAG, nothing is more important than trust and real relationships on the ground.
That is why Indonesia is the next step for us.
6. How will the funds raised through this project be used?
In 2026, most of the brewing equipment for GCAG Indonesia is already being provided by our leading partner, TIMEMORE. That support gives the project a strong foundation, but it does not cover the full cost of making the program happen.
As a small not-for-profit organization, our biggest challenge this year is cash flow. In 2025, international shipping and tax costs became more unstable, and our wristband sales dropped by nearly 80%. Because of that, for the first time, we are openly accepting cash donations from people and businesses who believe in what we do.
These donations will go directly toward the real, practical costs of running GCAG Indonesia 2026, including:
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Meals and beverages for students, volunteers, and the team during the 3-day program
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Travel and basic on-site expenses for our founder Micky, who will be there to document the project and make sure everything is captured and shared properly
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Support for local partners, who are giving their time before and during the event, often pausing their own work to help make this possible
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Basic training materials and event needs, such as T-shirts, servers, cupping spoons, and other small but necessary items
This year, we are very grateful that the coffee itself is already being supported by partners including Grand Cru Geisha, Duide Coffee, No Stone, and Venka, who are providing high-quality coffees for the training and cupping experience.
We have also already received meaningful support from new friends in the coffee community. For example, Ladybird Coffee has offered an $800 donation, which will help us cover meals and beverages for the students and team during the 3-day program. That kind of support means a lot to us.
None of us in this project is being paid. GCAG continues to be built through trust, shared values, and the willingness of people to give their time, energy, and resources to do something good together. It is not a fast or easy way to work. But we believe it is the right way.
We may be small, and the progress may be slow, but we believe this kind of impact is contagious. When people see something real, direct, and meaningful, more of them begin to join.
7. What is the role of TIMEMORE in this project?
TIMEMORE is a key partner of the GCAG. They have contributed equipment donations – 20 sets of brewing tools, including hand grinder Xlite, kettle Fish Smart Mini, dripper Crystal Eye Turbo, filter paper, and scale Nano, total value of $9,418.
8. How can I get involved in the GCAG project?
We welcome the support of businesses and individuals who share our vision of making a positive impact. Currently, we are looking for:
- Volunteer Coffee Educators: To design and implement courses during the education program in Indonesia.
- Volunteer Designers: To help us use graphics to empower this project and its participants.
- Videographers in Indonesia: To document the entire process and share the story of the project.
9. Are there any paid positions available?
No, all positions related to the GCAG are voluntary, as this is a charity project. However, we are willing to cover reasonable costs, such as transportation, accommodations, and food expenses, for those who join us in Indonesia.
10. How will you measure the success of the project?
We measure success in both practical and human ways.
Of course, numbers still matter — how many farmers join the program, how many complete the training, and how many tools and resources are placed into the community. But for us, success goes beyond attendance.
What matters more is what happens after the program.
In Colombia, we saw something very special: some of the students from GCAG 2025 later used the TIMEMORE grinders provided through the project to join a local AeroPress competition and achieved top rankings. For us, that was a beautiful sign of impact. Not because GCAG is trying to create champions, but because it showed that the program sparked curiosity, confidence, and a desire to explore coffee more deeply.
That is the kind of success we care about.
If GCAG can help young farmers see coffee in a new way, feel more connected to the value of their work, and take one small step further than before, then we believe the project is working.
We will also continue to document the journey through photos, videos, and stories, so the impact can be seen, shared, and remembered.
11. How can businesses participate in GCAG?
Businesses can support GCAG in several ways, depending on what makes the most sense for them.
In 2026, most of our core brewing equipment is already being covered, but we still welcome support for specific needs such as servers, cupping spoons, T-shirts, and other practical items for the training. We are also openly accepting cash donations this year to help cover the team’s basic expenses, including food, travel, and local coordination.
But support does not always have to be direct sponsorship. In 2025, we saw something very encouraging: coffee communities in different places came together in creative ways to support GCAG. Some organized local coffee trainings and donated the profit. Others hosted cupping events and contributed the proceeds. These kinds of efforts, no matter the size, mean a lot to us.
What matters most is not only the amount, but the spirit behind it — people and businesses in coffee coming together to make a shared effort and create real, visible impact. If your business believes in what we do, we would love to explore a way to work together.
12. What is the timeline for the Colombia #1 Project?
Project Planning (Janury – March 2026):
Begin project discussions, confirm direction, and secure key equipment support from TIMEMORE.
Local Preparation (April – May 2026):
Work with local partners to identify the right farm, select ideal students, confirm trainers, and prepare the overall structure of the 3-day program.
Fundraising & Resource Coordination (April – June 2026):
Continue raising funds, confirming local support, and gathering coffees, tools, and materials needed for the program.
Educational Program (Late June – July 2026):
Host the 3-day GCAG Indonesia course for young farmers, including brewing, sensory, and coffee quality training.
Documentation & Follow-up (July 2026 onward):
Share project updates, document the impact through stories, photos, and videos, and continue building long-term connections with the local coffee community.
14. Is there a long-term vision for the GCAG?
Yes, our vision is to expand the GCAG to other coffee-growing regions globally, replicating the model of providing education, tools, and funding to small farmers in need. We want to create a global movement where businesses, individuals, and local communities come together to support coffee farmers and uplift their livelihoods.
15. How do I stay updated on the progress of the project?
We will share regular updates through our website, social media platforms such as Instagram, newsletters, and podcasts. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about the project’s progress and new developments.
