Healthy Lifestyle Coaching (HLC) in Indonesia recently celebrated a profound milestone in its mission to empower people to lead healthier lives. Their client, J., a man who is blind, initially faced significant lifestyle challenges, including excessive weight, poor dietary habits, a lack of exercise, poor sleep, and high stress levels. Over three months, J. transformed his life by working closely with HLC’s health coaches and his supportive wife, using a holistic approach based on four essential pillars: Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, and Stress Management.

The local cocoa industry in Indonesia, once vibrant and flourishing, had been struggling. Farmers faced numerous challenges, from declining yields to fluctuating prices, which made cocoa farming less attractive. Recognizing this, Sulamina Chocolate aimed to support local farmers and create a market for high-quality cocoa, thereby helping to rejuvenate the industry. Thus, in 2017, Sulamina Chocolate was born with a mission to produce world-class chocolate while fostering sustainable economic growth in its community.

The impact of HEC’s programs was vividly demonstrated earlier this quarter when seven students from various programs participated in a mother tongue music creative workshop. This three-day residential training was a transformative experience for these young individuals, who learned to compose and write melodies for songs in their native languages. Initially, the students were nervous and shy, but as the workshop progressed, they discovered a hidden talent for cultural song writing.

At Latitudes, they believe in the power of small businesses to create big change, especially in resource-deprived communities. After several partnership projects with Khushbu, some of the staff from Latitudes decided to visit the artisan shop in India and see the impact firsthand. Their recent visit to the Khushbu workshop in Delhi reaffirmed this belief as they witnessed firsthand the impact of their partnership on the lives of artisans and their families. This heartwarming story highlights the transformative power of artisan-based businesses like Khushbu in empowering individuals and communities.

As the collaboration of Integrated Farm with Sergei, Natalya, and the local organization flourished, tangible evidence of their impact began to emerge in the form of success stories from farmers like Isxar and Javdet. Isxar, an ethnic Dungan farmer, became an unwitting pioneer in the quest for sustainable agriculture when he witnessed the staggering performance of biofertilizer on his sorghum fields.

The true essence of CEFP lies in its apprenticeship program, which commenced in mid-June with a cohort of 14 young men aged between 18 to 26. At the end of the program, only 2 did not complete the apprenticeship (one for personal health reasons and one to take a full-time job elsewhere), while four individuals secured employment within CEFP's Job Training Farm.

In the lush mountains of the Philippines, amidst the breathtaking scenery and vibrant communities, a social enterprise is making an impact in the coffee industry of their region. Bugkalot Coffee, named after the indigenous Bugkalot people who cultivate the land, has become a beacon of hope and progress in the region. Since its inception in 2013, Bugkalot Coffee has been on a journey of growth and empowerment, transforming not just the landscape but also the lives of the locals.

In the bustling streets of Laos, there is a social venture seeking to take something thought of as trash into something Made New. This social venture is not just about recycling plastic waste; it's about transforming communities and nurturing a sustainable future for generations to come. With innovative initiatives like the Plastic Bag Partner Program, electric three-wheeler collections, and active participation in popup markets and events, Made New is rewriting the narrative of waste management in Laos.

For the past three years, Latitudes has organized a golf fundraising tournament to raise funds for strategic growth opportunities. One unique aspect of these tournaments is that they gift each golfer a handcrafted item created by one of their artisan teams. These gifts serve a dual purpose – they showcase the incredible talents of the artisans while also raising awareness about the products they produce.

In the heart of Viento Frio, Panama, a remarkable transformation was set into motion in September. It was a transformation not just of the landscape but of the hopes and aspirations of an entire community. This transformative event was the brainchild of PanaSea, a remarkable social enterprise on a mission to rejuvenate coastal marine habitats and protect endangered wildlife. Their first mangrove planting event marked a significant step forward in their relentless pursuit of a healthier, greener future for our planet.

In the heart of Laos, a small social venture named "Made New" is already seeing impact. Founded with the mission of transforming plastic waste into practical and eco-friendly household fabric goods, this innovative initiative is not only contributing to the reduction of plastic pollution but also changing lives within the local community. One remarkable individual, Soun, stands out as an embodiment of resilience and determination, playing a vital role in the venture's success.

In the heart of Indonesia, where lush landscapes and traditional farming have long been intertwined with the nation's identity, a remarkable initiative is taking shape. The Center of Entrepreneurial Food Producers, a pioneering social venture, is leading the charge in teaching the younger generation about sustainable food growing practices. Their recent interactions with university students and young farmer apprentices highlight the transformative potential of their approach.

In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, it's often the strength of an individual's spirit that shines through the darkest of times. Meet Ranjitha, an extraordinary woman who has defied the odds and carved her own path to success, resilience, and now, a new chapter of love and companionship. Her story is not just one of personal triumph, but a testament to the power of determination and the support of a close-knit community.

When tourism came to a halt during COVID, Wild Sumatra Eco-Tourism added coffee growing and production to their venture. While staying true to their beliefs, they sought to grow coffee in an eco-friendly and sustainable way. Their ideas and techniques bring a change to the traditional coffee farming industry in Sumatra. The region has been known for producing high-quality coffee beans, but farmers here have struggled to earn a living from their crops due to low market prices and lack of access to sustainable farming practices.

However, social impact is also happening in ways not previously predicted. For example, in 2018, HFC opened a village office (Freedom Hub) in Nepal, where they could employ women and provide them with a safe working environment. The opening of the office presented another opportunity for the business to make a difference in the lives of the community's children. Many of the neighbor kids were curious about HFC and began bringing their homework to the office after school for help.

Melanie, Anarose, and Jhoy are just a few of the individuals who have been impacted by the Bugkalot Coffee Company's (BCC) efforts in the Philippines. BCC has been working tirelessly to create a sustainable coffee industry in the region, from growing the coffee plants to roasting and distributing the final product.

In a world where access to proper nutrition seems out of reach, initiatives aimed at improving household nutrition are needed. This is why the story of a local businessman who visited the Center for Entrepreneurial Food Producers in Indonesia to learn how to promote consumption of the Chaya plant is worth sharing.

The skatepark itself features a variety of concrete ramps, rails, and other obstacles designed to welcome skaters of various skill levels. The response to the skatepark has been overwhelmingly positive, with skaters of all ages and abilities coming out to enjoy the facility. It has quickly become a hub of activity, attracting both local and visiting skateboarders and helping to build a sense of community within the skateboarding scene.

In most business strategies, it’s all about beating the competition through better innovation, faster service, providing quality products for less, cornering the market within a region, or getting to the customer before others do. When creating a business strategy that also includes social impact in a resourced-deprived community, several of those above strategies are not so relevant.

The benefits of skateboarding has been well documented since skateboarding began in the 1940s. However, skateparks are not as prevalent in many other countries around the world including in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That’s why Maglaj decided it was the perfect solution to a local need. Beginning in late 2021, they began to put their dream into action and by the beginning of 2022 they already had local support.