The ECOM Foundation: Building lasting change in producing communities

The ECOM Foundation is a public charity dedicated to improving the lives of producers at origin. Founded in 2006, the Foundation focuses on supporting children and youth in coffee, cocoa, and cotton communities where ECOM operates, through projects that strengthen education, healthcare, social services, and environmental practices.  

As ECOM marked its 175th anniversary in 2024, this milestone became an opportunity not only to reflect on our heritage, but also to look to the future. To honour this moment, the Esteve family generously donated USD 1.75 million to the ECOM Foundation, further strengthening its global reach and long-term impact. 

This contribution marked an important evolution for the Foundation, reinforcing its mission to deliver lasting, positive change in producing communities around the world.

A Global Foundation with a Shared Vision 

Today, the ECOM Foundation operates with a global outlook through two legal entities, united by a shared vision, mission, and values: 

ECOM Foundation USA – Board Members 

Ramon M. Esteve III – Board Chairman 

Carol L. Salaiz – Director and Secretary/Treasurer 

Ines Ponzanelli Esteve – Director   

Paola Allende – Director 

Alexandra Esteve – Director 

Jose E. Esteve – Director Cassandra Esteve – Director 

Christoph Schmocker – Director 

ECOM Foundation Switzerland – Board Members 

Ramon M. Esteve III – President 

Jose Eduardo Esteve Recolons – Vice President 

Carol L. Salaiz – Treasurer 

Ines Ponzanelli Esteve – Director 

Alexandra Esteve – Director 

Christoph Schmocker – Director 

Pierre Bounameaux – Director 

Mission & Approach 

The ECOM Foundation is committed “to empower farming communities by promoting education, physical and mental health, and creating opportunities for all to thrive.” By responding to community needs, they aim to foster a brighter, more equitable future. 

The Foundation works in close collaboration with local non-governmental organisations, public charities, corporations, and local and national governments to ensure projects are locally grounded and impactful. Its efforts focus on 3 core areas: 

This partnership-driven approach allows programmes to remain flexible, relevant, and capable of delivering lasting benefits. 

Spotlight: EDUCATE! in Uganda

A long-standing focus of the ECOM Foundation’s work to promote education is its partnership with EDUCATE! in Uganda. 

Since 2011, the Foundation has supported EDUCATE!’s direct-to-school model, which equips young women and men with practical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness. The programme currently supports 800 schools and 32,000 children and youth annually, working alongside 300 mentors across East Africa.

From 2025–2026, the partnership prioritises reaching out-of-school youth and advancing girls’ education through evidence-based approaches. By working closely with schools, communities, and governments, the programme helps strengthen education systems and improve long-term outcomes for young people in coffee-producing regions.

Spotlight: Promoting Quality Education in Kenya 

One of the Foundation’s key highlights this year is the Promoting Quality Education Programme in Kenya. 

In 2025, the ECOM Foundation partnered with Terre des Hommes to promote access to quality education and advocate for children’s rights in coffee-producing sub-counties of Kiambu County. The programme aims to help reduce child labour by addressing its underlying causes and strengthening local education systems. 

The initiative currently supports 10 public schools, 1,250 children and 180 teachers. 

By improving learning conditions, strengthening school capacity, and raising awareness around children’s rights, the programme contributes to safer, more sustainable futures for families in coffee-producing communities. 

Further information on this programme can also be found here. 

Looking Ahead 

The launch of the new ECOM Foundation website marks another important step in this journey, providing a new platform to share the Foundation’s mission, governance, programmes, and project funding criteria, as well as guidance on how to get in touch.  

As the ECOM Foundation continues to evolve, its purpose remains clear: to support meaningful, long-term change in producing communities, grounded in partnership, accountability, and a shared commitment to sustainability.