MECIHO Accelerator Project Overview

Project Overviews

MECIHO Accelerator Project Overview

The Starbucks Foundation-funded MECIHO Accelerator (MECIHO-A) project carries on the momentum of Lutheran World Relief's ongoing partnership with the Starbucks Foundation, leveraging the success of the past Kopi Nande and MECIHO (Multisectoral Collaboration for Inclusive Health and Opportunity for Women) initiatives, which empowered over 10,000 women and impacted nearly 44,000 people in North Sumatra.

From October 2024 and through January 2028, MECIHO-A furthers this impact by addressing the health, sanitation, and environmental challenges in coffee-growing areas of Karo and Deliserdang Regencies. Women in six villages have already established Garbage Banks to process waste, generate income, and improve waste management. MECIHO-A expands this model by supporting the establishment of more Garbage Banks, fostering leadership through women-led water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) committees and strengthening community ties with local and regency governments.

MECIHO-A employs Lutheran World Relief's proven integration and empowerment framework, offering financial literacy, entrepreneurial training, and marketing skills to empower participants. MECIHO-A also provides climate-smart agriculture training in collaboration with the Starbucks Farmer Support Center.

Feb 04, 2026