From Humble Beginnings, Great things Grow
Project Catalyst began with a bold vision: to support innovative farmers, spark new ideas, and transform agriculture into a force for sustainability, resilience and innovation. What started in 2009 as a partnership between Queensland sugarcane growers, The Coca-Cola Foundation, WWF and Reef Catchments NRM has grown into a movement shaping the future of farming across Australia.
From the outset, Project Catalyst’s mission was clear – to empower farmers to create and lead change. The initiative was founded on the belief that real transformation occurs when those closest to the land are supported to innovate, share knowledge and adopt practices that improve productivity while protecting the environment. This grower-led, science-backed and community-driven approach has delivered award-winning outcomes for more than fifteen years, setting benchmarks for sustainability long before similar commitments became mainstream.
Project Catalyst’s roots trace back to The Coca-Cola Foundation’s global Replenish initiative, which aimed to return the equivalent amount of water used in its products back to nature and communities. Through collaboration with WWF and local partners, Project Catalyst emerged as a pioneering program focused on improving water quality, reducing nutrient runoff and enhancing soil health. Over time, the program evolved into a vibrant Community of Practice – a network of farmers, agronomists, scientists and industry leaders united by a shared commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.
The results speak for themselves. Today, Project Catalyst has delivered measurable improvements across 80,000 hectares of farmland, reduced dissolved inorganic nitrogen losses by at least 67,000 kilograms and generated a 535% return on impact investment through ecosystem services, water quality gains and emissions reductions. Farmers involved in the program have trialled and refined practices such as precision nutrient application, rotational cropping and controlled traffic farming – methods now recognised as industry standards for sustainable agriculture.
But the story is not just about numbers; it is about people and communities. It is about farmers who dare to try new ideas, scientists who bring evidence-based solutions and partners who believe in creating a future where farming and nature thrive together. Through peer-to-peer learning, tailored support and real-world trials, Project Catalyst has built a platform that accelerates innovation and fosters resilience for generations to come.
Today, Project Catalyst stands as a trusted partner for transformation. The program offers a proven, scalable model that combines grassroots knowledge with professional coordination, ensuring positive returns for partners and enduring benefits for farming communities and ecosystems. Partnerships are flexible and tailored – whether the focus is water stewardship, carbon reduction, biodiversity or social impact, Project Catalyst aligns with partner goals and delivers measurable outcomes.
As the program looks to the future, its ambition is to expand beyond sugarcane into new agricultural sectors, scaling best-practice programs and driving farmer-led innovation across Australia. By joining Project Catalyst, partners become part of a movement that is redefining agriculture – not just as an economic activity, but as a cornerstone of environmental health and community wellbeing.
This is the story of Project Catalyst. A story of collaboration, courage and commitment. A story that proves farming can work with nature, not against it. Together, stakeholders can shape a resilient agricultural future – one that delivers productivity, sustainability and hope for generations to come.