What problem or need is the project addressing?
Fair trade can play an important role in alleviating poverty. It offers poor producers a means of developing fairer trading relationships. However producers often need support and guidance to participate in fair trade markets.
Producers often have a very limited understanding of the concept of fair trade. It is therefore difficult to get producers to make the changes necessary to ensure that fair trade standards are being met.
In recent years the risks of producers not adhering to fair trade standards has created risks to the credibility of fair trade in Europe.
What is the project doing?
This project will train 10 fair trade trainers to train fair trade producers in the rights and responsibilities in fair trade. This will help producers to secure current sales and increase opportunities for new sales.
The project will also provide fair trade producers with information on the European fair trade market. This will help producers to develop stronger trading relationships with fair trade buyers.
It will also train fair trade organisations who can support producers in addressing issues such as product development, quality, technical regulations and market access.
The project will benefit at least 875 fair trade producers and 5000 poor producer employees. In addition, each fair trade organisation is supporting about 35 fair trade producers. The project will therefore benefit many more fair trade producers during and after the project.
What impact has the project had?
The project has only recently started so it is too early to measure impact. However we expect the impact to include:
- Increased understanding amongst fair trade producers of their rights and responsibilities
- Increased understanding amongst fair trade producers of the EU fair trade market
- Increased export sales to EU fair trade markets by fair trade producers
- Increased income and employment, and improved working conditions for poor producers
Our local partners
Traidcraft Exchange is implementing this project with the Fair Trade Forum - India and FAKT, Germany.
The Fair Trade Forum - India is a national membership organisation of fair trade producer groups and intermediary organisations.
FAKT is a non-profit consultancy firm that provide services to build local capacity and improve social and economic conditions in developing countries.
How is this project funded?
The project is funded by the European Commission, Belgium Technical Cooperation, grant-making trusts, and donations from generous individuals.
