What is caffe sospeso?
Caffe sospeso is a tradition born in Naples bars in the early 20th century. A customer who had a lucky day pays for two coffees instead of one: they consume the first and leave the second "suspended" at the bar for a stranger who might need it. It is an anonymous act of community support that does not humiliate anyone, neither giver nor receiver.
Why does COLHYBRI draw on it?
Caffe sospeso perfectly illustrates the COLHYBRI model: anonymous community support, modest gesture, no intermediary. COLHYBRI extends the principle: instead of offering only coffees, it lets people offer any service from a partner shop (hairdresser, dry cleaner, bakery, yoga class). Digitalization removes friction while preserving the spirit.
How does it work in practice?
Each COLHYBRI subscriber pays 3 EUR/month. 75% of that sum feeds a neighborhood community pool. Each month, the pool is redistributed as services randomly gifted at partner shops. A subscriber can both give (through their contribution) and receive (through a gifted service). It is caffe sospeso, 2026 edition.