City of Hanover Prize

City of Hanover

This year, the CITY OF HANOVER AWARD "Women make the location" was presented for the 21st time. This award for the commitment, dedication and success of women in Hanover's economy continued an important tradition. Female entrepreneurs, self-employed or freelance professionals and managing directors were able to apply for the prize, which is endowed with 10,000 euros. This year's competition did not have a specific focus. The prerequisite was that the company was based in the state capital of Hanover (LHH) and had already been successful on the market for three years. In short: the search was on for Hannover's female entrepreneur of the year 2022.

Appreciation at the business reception

The STADT-HANNOVER-PREIS was awarded by a jury of representatives from politics, administration, trade unions and business organizations under the leadership of Friederike Kämpfe, Equal Opportunities Officer of the LHH. The award ceremony and recognition of the winner took place at the City of Hannover's business reception in November 2022.

Start and success in a male-dominated industry

Bartl started out in the coffee fields in Uganda, which are mostly run by men. But she also had to prove her professional competence as an exporter, importer and also in the German roasting industry. These experiences have shaped her image of gender equality and given her a clear orientation for her business relationships that does not exclude men or favor women, but instead focuses on respect, appreciation and sustainability.

Business model based on sustainability and transparency

According to the company, direct trade, close cooperation with local people and cultivation supported by scientific knowledge make it possible to produce high-quality coffee that not only pays those who refine it fairly, but also the coffee producers in particular, according to the business model. A unique selling point is transparency and traceability. Each coffee bag features a photo of the coffee producer and an audio presentation. Five euros per kilo of roasted coffee flow back into the Mount Elgon region in the form of locally implemented development projects. Anna Lina Bartl is particularly interested in improving education and income opportunities for women. Local workshops and the transfer of important tasks to women lead to a measurable improvement in the economic situation of households.

Stable through the crisis with sustainable management

The award winner emphasizes that Mulembe Kaffee UG is more resistant to crises thanks to the company's sustainable orientation. The close business relationships, the year-round and extensive support of coffee-growing households in harmony with nature, the solution strategies offered in relation to climate change, but also the scientific reference and the personal visibility of the producers ensured a pronounced loyalty and commitment, so that other producers have expressed interest in a business relationship.

Energy-efficient use of resources and expansion of the product range

The principle of sustainability runs through the entire company and is also reflected in energy management. For example, the company's new roasting machine saves 80 percent of the energy of an average machine. The waste heat is also to be used for the hot water tank in the surrounding apartments by means of heat recovery. In addition, not only will coffee be roasted there in future, but imported cocoa, honey and vanilla will also be processed and packaged directly.

Anja Ritschel, Head of Economic and Environmental Affairs of the City of Hanover:

"This year, we are awarding the City of Hanover Prize to an entrepreneur who combines entrepreneurship with sustainability and social commitment in a special way. Mulembe Kaffee UG is an example of successful globalization and at the same time firmly anchored locally through the café in the Limmer district. Anna Lina Bartl impresses with her future-oriented, social and sustainable business idea and its consistent implementation. This makes her an example to others, regardless of her gender.

Friederike Kämpfe, Equal Opportunities Officer and chair of the jury:

"For 20 years now, the CITY OF HANNOVER PRIZE has been awarded to successful female entrepreneurs, freelancers and managing directors. It is always inspiring to gain an insight into the business stories and biographies of the award winners. As different as the sectors and experiences are, they are united by their special view of the situation of women as employees, customers or business partners. In the case of this year's award winner, the focus is on sustainability as well as gender equality. These two goals are linked in an outstanding way by this year's award winner. Especially in times of crisis, it is important to pursue these goals - locally and globally."

Anna Lina Bartl, winner of the STADT-HANNOVER-PREIS "Frauen machen Standort" 2022:

"I am delighted to be awarded the CITY OF HANOVER PRIZE. In Hanover and Uganda, we work together along the entire coffee value chain. From the physical work in the coffee gardens to roasting with smart technology. Always on the basis of research and practical implementation of new approaches or the optimization of tried and tested approaches or approaches that have been forgotten due to historical events. The focus is always on people and their environment. The basis is the trust of coffee producers and their openness to our ideas. By working well together, we can tackle the challenges of our time and the coffee industry, particularly with regard to climate change, and work together to make sustainable coffee cultivation possible. As we have already been able to achieve measurable improvements with our concept, but there are still many challenges to overcome on Mount Elgon, I will invest the prize money in expanding our science-based advice and support for coffee cultivation on site."