Dear Friends,
During 2023 we began the implementation of EARTH’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, which seeks to significantly increase the University’s contribution to the complex challenges of our times. As part of this aspiration, our faculty and staff have collaborated in the revision of our Academic Program and in designing new programs and initiatives to expand EARTH’s global impact, while at the same time showing exceptional dedication, commitment, and creativity as mentors to our students and graduates.
In December, 94 young leaders from 26 countries in the Americas, Africa, and the Caribbean graduated from EARTH. They achieved this milestone through perseverance, resilience, leadership, and academic excellence. They join a community of nearly 3,000 EARTH graduates committed to transforming our global food systems through food production that positively impacts both the natural environment and quality of life in developing regions.
This Annual Report outlines several key initiatives in our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan that are enabling EARTH and our allies to prepare and empower more leaders as part of a growing global movement to transform our food systems. These include developing tools for e-Learning, focusing on sustainable investments, measuring our impact, and building new strategic partnerships and models to support thousands of farmers. These efforts are a testament to the commitment and unity that define EARTH.
I thank our rich and diverse community – donors, boards, allies, graduates, students, faculty, staff, and friends – for supporting us in our mission, during 2023 and always.
Thank you!
Arturo Condo
President, EARTH University
In 2023, EARTH embarked on an ambitious new strategic plan guided by the goal of increasing the University’s contribution to the challenges facing humanity, such as food security for a growing population, extreme poverty and inequality, global health and healthy diets, unsustainable agricultural practices, and climate change. We believe our world needs a massively greater number of effective, empowered change agents. EARTH’s new institutional learning efforts are seeking to support this goal by providing data that contributes to ongoing learning, reflection, improvement, and adaptation.
We launched the most comprehensive Alumni Impact Survey ever conducted by the University, with the purpose of understanding the experiences and activities of graduates and the impact on sustainable development they are having in the world*. The survey piloted new frameworks to understand impact in areas not previously measured before, such as climate change, food systems, social equity and inclusion, different levels of impact (e.g. individual, community, institutional, and systemic), and different forms of exercising leadership.
What we found is that the vast majority of EARTH graduates report making meaningful contributions to sustainable development, with particular strengths in sustainable agricultural production, environmental protection, and improving the quality of life of people in rural areas:
These data points show that EARTH graduates are having a strong ripple effect of impact across more than 50 countries. The baseline information provided by the survey allows EARTH to better understand the areas of focus, strengths, and opportunities within EARTH’s alumni network. This will contribute to EARTH’s efforts to further support and activate the network for greater impact and, along with partners, prepare even more leaders capable of transforming global food systems.
*13% of graduates from the Classes of 1993-2022 participated in the 2023 online Survey. There was a diverse representation of gender, countries of origin, continent, and class. 10% responded on their own and 3% were selected through a random sample. The Survey has a 95% confidence level. However, the sampling method and number of responses may present statistical limitations, including the ability to generalize to all graduates.
Building a robust network of alliances to accelerate impact on our food systems is an essential part of EARTH’s strategic vision. During 2023, we celebrated new partnerships and advanced existing ones with like-minded organizations who share our vision, values, and sense of urgency toward the transformation of our food systems. We would like to share two examples.
First, in partnership with CARE and Cargill, our EARTH Futures team started working with more than 100 women farmers in Costa Rica on a project called Nourishing the Future. The objective of Nourishing the Future is to improve rural livelihoods in Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica through capacity building and opportunities to strengthen management of productive resources and expand access to inclusive markets.
The project provides tools to enable participants to strengthen their skills, knowledge and understanding of topics including market linkages and access to new business opportunities, income diversification and business training, sustainable and climate resilient agriculture, financial education and access to financial resources, strategic partnerships, and gender equity and women's empowerment.
EARTH is leading Nourishing the Future’s implementation in communities mainly in the districts of Sarchí and Poás, two regions known for their agricultural production of strawberries, vegetables, and coffee. EARTH thanks Cargill and CARE for being partners in driving the positive transformation of rural communities and food systems in Costa Rica and around the world.
Second, in November 2023, the University Global Coalition (UGC), of which EARTH is a founding member, partnered with the United Nations Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) to form a new Action Group with the purpose of deepening engagement of university leaders to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This initiative was launched by 15 international higher education leaders and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to advance integration of sustainable development within universities, facilitating collaboration across siloes within higher education and with partners. Over the last four years, UGC has grown to a network of 180 participating universities and has organized annual gatherings, SDG Action and Awareness weeks, international student competitions, Decade of Action groups, and numerous other activities to highlight the importance and promote action among universities, their leadership, and student communities to expand the role of higher education in advancing the Global Agenda.
EARTH is excited to continue its role and partnership with UGC now as part of HESI. In October 2023, our President Arturo Condo accepted the role as Vice Chair of UGC and will assume the role of Chair beginning in October 2024. We look forward to heightened collaboration with partner universities to help accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda in the months and years ahead.
Rural Entrepreneurship for Agricultural Livelihoods (REAL) is an initiative led by EARTH Futures, our global solutions center, that promotes sustainable agriculture and improves the quality of life of small-scale farmers in rural areas of Guatemala. REAL’s primary objective is to strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) so they can implement sound business practices and gain access to better markets. EARTH coordinates closely with co-implementing partners in Guatemala to provide locally adapted solutions and expand the program’s reach on the ground. This approach has two main components:
Expert training is the driving force that the REAL team uses to enable farmers to standardize processes, streamline their production, increase their legal and commercial knowledge, increase their income, and grow their businesses.
“Since I joined, I have felt a strong sense of support from all the partners. REAL has allowed me to earn extra income and is a door to becoming more independent in terms of income and to spending more time with my family. I am very happy to be part of this project,” says Heidi Castro Vásquez, part of Visión Maya Association, a group of women dedicated to oyster mushroom production.
Project REAL is funded by the Argidius Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through ANDE (Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs). In addition, the project is being implemented in collaboration with strategic partners: Asociación Vivamos Mejor, Fundación de la Caficultura para el Desarrollo Rural (Funcafé) and Asociación Nacional de Café (Anacafé).
EARTH Futures focuses its efforts on two main pillars: Developing Solutions, and Education for Leadership. Under this second pillar our University works in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. In 2021, we jointly created the Mastercard Foundation–EARTH University Fellowship Program, an initiative that supports the transition of recent graduates into professional life in their home countries. EARTH and select host partners provide one-year placement opportunities for Fellows. They receive a monthly stipend, annual health insurance, and mentoring services to support their career development and increase their impact potential.
Nancy Musa (EARTH Class of 2021 & Fellow 2023, Zimbabwe) is one of the leaders selected for the current cohort. Nancy works with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in her home country where, through her knowledge and experience, she develops alternative businesses related to animal feed production with smallholder farmers. She is also part of a team that conducts field research to determine the viability of alternative feeds. Her focus is on the creation of farmer cooperatives to assist them in gaining access to new and better markets.
Nancy's work doesn't end there. To create positive change in her community, in her country, and in the world, Nancy says she begins by being a positive example in her home, with her family.
Here are some of the many ways in which the Mastercard Foundation-EARTH University Fellowship Program is impacting the lives of our graduates:
In September of 2023, we officially launched our innovative e-Learning by Doing virtual education program, an interactive and experiential platform in the field of agriculture.
The program makes EARTH learning freely accessible on-demand to anyone across the globe. Students at other universities and high schools, current and aspiring farmers of all ages, and others who seek to increase their agricultural knowledge can access these modules, in Spanish and English. A great example of the program’s early impact is the “Semillero de Jóvenes Rurales Emprendedores,” a program implemented by the EARTH Colombia Alumni Association to educate and motivate young people from rural schools in the country to study careers in agriculture. The implementation of the e-Learning by Doing platform began in a rural school in the town of Mapiripán with more than 1,300 students, including indigenous youth from the area.
The learning-by-doing model that characterizes the EARTH Academic Program is integrated into the platform to encourage students to acquire vital practical skills for their professional future in addition to technical and theoretical knowledge.
At EARTH, we are confident that e-Learning by Doing will revolutionize education in rural areas, provide access to world-class theoretical knowledge, and empower youth to drive positive change in their environments. The program also addresses real-life demands of farming while focusing on sustainability and rural progress, thus benefiting users and their communities, and supporting responsible agricultural development.
This program is possible thanks to our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. For more information, go to elearningbydoing.earth.ac.cr.
Our graduates think back on their time at EARTH, talk about how they feel every time they return, and reflect on what they miss about their years here as students. These are stories that marked their professional and personal paths forever. Our University becomes home for all those who pass through it.
We thank the following organizations around the world who hosted our third-year students as interns in 2023. The Internship helps our students build critical leadership skills and networks while deepening their knowledge and giving them the opportunity to apply the skills developed at EARTH in a professional setting.
Garang, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, completed his Internship in the United States at the research and development office of Lignetics Group, a company that uses wood waste as a raw material to create sustainable products. Garang has been conducting experiments, doing research on specific materials, and developing reports with the projects’ results. He also provided support to the company’s team by studying the composition of the wood used and exploring modifications that can be made to improve the products and their viability.
“I believe that thanks to my experience here, other doors and opportunities will open for me. I gained a lot of knowledge, and I learned how to network. The Internship is a unique experience for a person like me because it is difficult to get this kind of opportunity where I come from. I made it this far thanks to my studies with EARTH.”
Daniela traveled to Santander, Colombia to complete her Internship at Robinson Fresh where she supervised exports of Tahitian lime to the United States and Europe through the packing company Gramaluz. Daniela fulfilled a dream which has made her grow tremendously: experience new realities and learn as much as she can from them, mainly in the post-harvest sector, one of the branches of Agricultural Sciences that most interests her.
“I feel I have gained a lot of knowledge at the University; it has given me tools that have been reinforced even more through the Internship. EARTH has taught me to treat people as equals and how be a team player, as well as how to live in a multicultural environment. It was easy to adapt to Colombia because multiculturalism is something we experience every day at the University. I carry with me the EARTHian spirit where we always work to find ways to help farmers and look for better conditions for the communities.”
Careful stewardship of resources, together with growth in charitable gifts and commercial activities, are contributing to a healthy financial picture that enables us to fulfill our mission.
| Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Salaries and benefits for personnel | $13,867,905 |
| Operating expenses | $8,418,584 |
| Equipment | $567,528 |
| Contingencies | $48,262 |
| Total | $22,902,280 |
| Sources of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Grants | $12,068,699 |
| Tuition paid by students | $3,243,239 |
| Other income (commercial activities and other) | $938,842 |
| Endowment | $6,651,500 |
| Total | $22,902,280 |
From its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the EARTH University Foundation – a registered 501 (c)(3) public charity – provides vital funding for EARTH’s educational mission, programs and projects thanks to generous gifts from a global community of supporters.
| Assets | |
|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $2,658,531 |
| Pledge receivables, net | $2,891,924 |
| Endowment and other investments | $75,033,187 |
| Other assets | $876,865 |
| Total Assets | $81,460,507 |
| Liabilities and Net assets | |
|---|---|
| Liabilities | $292,887 |
| Net assets | $81,167,620 |
| Total Liabilities and Net assets | $81,460,507 |
| Programs | Fundraising | Administrative | Total expenses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scholarships | $4,995,720 | $0 | $0 | $4,995,720 |
| Project and program expenses | $2,883,389 | $0 | $0 | $2,883,389 |
| Foundation Operations | $279,988 | $703,332 | $550,788 | $1,534,108 |
| Total | $8,159,097 | $703,332 | $550,788 | $9,413,217 |
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EARTH manages three endowment funds through a diversified investment portfolio, following the Investment Policy approved by our Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees of the EARTH University Trust, and the Board of Trustees of the EARTH University Foundation. This management is aligned with long-term goals to ensure the financial stability of the funds and the necessary contributions to the annual budget of the University.
In recent years, EARTH identified the opportunity to expand its positive impact on society through active investment in activities that promote sustainability, using ESG funds as a tool to achieve investments with purpose.
The acronym ESG refers to investments in companies that promote Environmental, Social and Governance sustainability. It includes metrics that allows investors to differentiate investment opportunities that actively focus on these objectives. Examples of these investments include companies that develop alternative energies, focus on education or health, or prioritize an inclusive management model with minorities represented in decision-making.
EARTH’s Joint Investment Committee set the goal of identifying and focusing on ESG investments, without sacrificing the long-term performance of the endowment funds. Under this approach, since 2021, 76% of EARTH's endowment funds has been invested in ESG funds that prioritize the following objectives:
Climate transition
Inclusive growth
As of 2022, EARTH joined as a signatory to the United Nations PRI organization (Principles for Responsible Investment). This allows EARTH to annually evaluate internal processes to identify, monitor, and evaluate investments in ESG funds, as part of EARTH’s commitment to continuous improvement and participation in the development of metrics for this important trend.
We are proud to share this effort, and we hope that more institutions will join this commitment. We also thank our donors for their contribution to our endowment funds, which continue to provide support for scholarships and program operations every year.
“To realise the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement, we need to empower courageous leaders across society. Change agents will be vital in agriculture and land use, which accounts for a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. We need a full transformation of the sector to safeguard food security, address malnutrition and boost livelihoods, whilst tackling climate change. I’m proud of my involvement with EARTH University, which is building the skills and knowledge we need for a prosperous future.”
“Coming to EARTH is an infectious experience. The combination of the gifted youth, diversity and hope assembled in this place. Just spending a few moments with these students and you are infected in a cause so contagious it will literally change the world! Happy to be an EARTH ambassador!”
The work to fulfill our mission would not be possible without the support of many individuals, businesses, foundations, governments, and organizations. We recognize and appreciate the generous support of the following donors whose gifts were received in 2023, with special thanks to those whose lifetime giving exceeds US$1 million.
Alumni Directed Gifts
† Deceased
Thank you for believing in EARTH’s mission!