Members Review

2021

THE FAIR TRADING

RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN PRODUCERS &
FAIR TRADE ENTERPRISES
 1

CONTENT

2 Foreword
3 Who we are
ABOUT 4 Fair Trade and the SDGs
5 Our members
7 A global network

8 Our policy work

FAIR TRADING
9 Fair Trading Partnerships
PARTNERSHIPS Build Back Fairer

10 Malongo
11 EZA Fairer Handel
FEATURED 13 Associazione botteghe del
MEMBERS mondo
14 Shared Earth
15 GLOBO Fair Trade Partner
17 Elecosy

WHAT CAN 18 Speak out!

Shop fair online
YOU DO?

IMPRESSUM
Thanks to all Fair Trade enterprises who participated in this
review! Special thanks to the people who were interviewed.

Authors: Mikkel Kofod Nørgård, Julia Wild, Océane Zarcone

Design: Océane Zarcone

Photos: Provided by the organisations interviewed

 2

DEAR READER,
Welcome to the third edition of the annual Members' Review from the
European branch of the World Fair Trade Organization.

This yearly publication illustrates the special approach to business

that unifies members of the Global WFTO network: Benefitting people
and planet through their core operations. As you will see in the pages
below, these types of businesses are set up in a way so that
contributing positively to society and safeguarding the environment is
the way they make money. How so? By being led by a social mission,
rather than by maximisation of profits, they make social and
environmental sustainability their business model in a commercially
viable way.

Since the on-set of the current pandemic crisis, all business has been
tremendously affected, nearly all of it negatively. Covid-19 has
starkly drawn up the dysfunctions of the current, mainstream
economy. Not just are the massive inequalities created by it drawn
out into plain sight, but the fragility and lack of resilience of global
supply chains is now impossible to miss.

We believe, however, that Covid-19 has also been a litmus test for
how business can be done differently. In this year's Review we are
therefore focusing on Fair Trade Enterprises' relationships with
producers, artisans and workers, which are key to ensuring decent
working conditions, fair remuneration, good environmental practices
and, particularly, resilience in times of crisis.

PLEASE DO ENJOY THE VARIETY OF

WFTO MEMBERS AND THEIR IDEAS!

Mikkel Kofod Nørgård

Regional Coordinator, WFTO-Europe

Connect with us

WFTO.Europe WFTOEurope WFTO_Europe wfto-

europe.org/
3
WHO ARE WE?
We are the European branch of the World Fair Trade leadership, climate initiatives and to social and
Organization. Like all regional branches, we support environmental sustainability as a whole. We
our members on a local level to innovate trading encourage our members to work together and
structures and change our current economic model. collaborate to grow stronger and to exchange of their
Our 110 members, from which 60 are guaranteed, best practices.
establish long-term relationships with their producers
and artisans giving weight to factors like decent Our daily work consists of promoting Fair Trade,
working conditions, a sufficient living income and the advocating, campaigning and monitoring on a
protection of fundamental rights and the environment. European level. Being located in Brussels, we are
able to influence policy makers together with other
All WFTO members show that alternative business players of the Fair Trade movement. We are the
models which put people and planet before profits are voice of Fair Trade, and the link between our
possible. Therefore, we constantly highlight their members and the movement as a whole.
business practices, especially with regards to women

THE 10 PRINCIPLES OF FAIR TRADE

THE CORE OF OUR APPROACH

Our aim is to put people and planet first. Therefore, principles, and are encouraged to work together to
we base our work on 10 principles that are a reach them and even go beyond them, when
minimum to make trade practices fair. Reducing possible.
inequalities and offering the workers equal
opportunities, improving their health and living These 10 principles of Fair Trade are a way not only
conditions, and protecting the environment as well as to set a standard for our members, but to go further
the local economies are examples of these and aim for constant improvement. Our Guarantee
standards. Our 10 principles specify the way in which System is there to verify the members' compliance
Fair Trade enterprises work on economic as well as and orient them towards solutions if they are having
social, ethical and environmental levels. Hence, our difficulties. Our philosophy is not to "punish" the
members and prospective members are constantly already vulnerable enterprises, but rather help them
being evaluated on their ability to comply with these and to find solutions to improve their business model
while remaining loyal to the values we believe in.
 4
FAIR TRADE AND THE SDGS
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) give clear targets on different social and sustainable
aspects to be reached by 2030. Fair Trade enterprises contribute significantly to the achievement of
these targets, through their holistic approach and the mission embedded into their core business.

THE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN THE SDGS

AND OUR PRINCIPLES OF FAIR TRADE

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are

part of the UN Agenda 2030 and give an integral
approach of addressing current and future challenges
in a global partnership. With 17 concrete actions the
SDGs map out the interconnection of all sectors in
order to end poverty, improve health and education,
achieve a green and fair economy and dealing with
climate change at the same time.

This publication should highlight once more the close

connections between the SDGs and the 10 principles
of Fair Trade, which was part of WFTO-Europe's
contribution to the "Trade Fair Live Fair" project
funded by the European Commission. This project
worked to raise awareness on Fair Trade and its
contribution to the SDGs.
Here you can see how the Fair Trade principles
directly relate with some of the SDGs. Fair Trade
realises the multidimensional consequences which
derive out of poverty and fights these challenges with
an integral approach with a focus on creating
opportunities for economically disadvantaged
producers while simultaneously keeping social and
environmental sustainability as core goals, too.
5

WFTO-EUROPE MEMBERSHIP

110
MEMBERS
ACROSS
18
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
 6
OUR MEMBERS

AUSTRIA - 3 GERMANY - 20 POLAND - 2

ARGE Weltläden Africulture The Polish Fair Trade Association
EZA Fairer Handel Cha Dô Teehandels GmbH Szczypta Świata *
Zotter Schokoladen Manufaktur Chotanagpurgruppe
El Puente ROMANIA - 1
BELGIUM - 4 Fair-Band
S.C Networks Trading Srl - DECE
Belgian Fair Trade Federation FairMail Cards
Elecosy bvba Fair-NETZ *
Forum Fairer Handel SPAIN - 6
Oxfam-Magasins du monde
Oxfam Wereldwinkels * GEPA Fair Trade Company Coordinadora Estatal de Comercio Justo
GLOBO Fair Trade Partner (CECJ)
Heidelberger Partnerschaftskaffee* EquiMercado *
BOSNIA AND Mekhada * Fundacion COPADE España
HERZEGOVINA - 1 Mitka * Fundación Isabel Martín *
BHcrafts doo Nepalaya * Initiativas de Economia Alternativa y
Nyuzi BlackWhite* Solidaria (IDEAS)
CZECH REPUBLIC - 1 Ökotopia * Oxfam Intermón
Paigh
Fairtrade Czech Republic and Slovakia
Tatico * SWEDEN - 4
Weltladen-Dachverband The House of Fair Trade
DENMARK - 5 WeltPartner eG
Fair Monkey ekonomisk förening
Egos ApS
Sackeus AB
Elvang Denmark A/S ITALY - 7 The Swedish Organisation of
En Gry og Sif
Associazione botteghe del mondo Fair Trade Retailers
Fair Trade Denmark
CTM Altromercato Soc. Coop.
U-landsforeningen Svalerne
CTM Agrofair Italy SWITZERLAND - 3
Cooperativa Sociale Alice * El Tucan
FINLAND - 4 Equo Garantito Gebana
Mifuko FAIR* Tropical Mountains
Ojoba Collective Libero Mondo scs *
Tampereen Kehitysmaakauppa
The Finnish Association of Worldshops UNITED KINGDOM - 17
NORWAY - 1
Artisan Life*
Indo Naturals *
FRANCE - 13 BAFTS
Ecoffins
Au-delà des Frontiéres NETHERLANDS - 15 Fair Trade Scotland
Bouga CacaO AlchemiA Greater Goods
Commerce Equitable France Amandla Island Spirit
Dardenne EFTA (European Fair Trade Just trading Scotland *
Esperanza Café * Association) Mayamiko *
Fair Moms * Esgii * People Tree
Fédération Artisans du Monde FairForward B.V. Re-wrap Association
Karethic (Terrethic) Kanika * Scottish Fair Trade Forum
Les Jardins de Gaia Resirest Secret Pillow Project *
L'attelier * Sarana Shared Earth
Les Mouettes Vertes See Me Shared Interest
CMC Malongo Seepje * The Fair Trade Furniture
Solidar’Monde Simbólica Fair Trade Traidcraft Exchange
Siyabonga * Traidcraft PLC
GREECE - 2 Sjaal met Verhaal *
Syn Allois * Tahoua Import
Greenland Co Farming * Zimba-Arts *

* Provisional Members are those, who are yet to complete

the full auditing process of the Guarantee System.
7

A GLOBAL NETWORK
The World Fair Trade Organization is present around the whole globe. Through the
commitment of many motivated members and over 300 Fair Trade Enterprises we can proudly
present to you these impact figures depicted in a recent study of the global office.

444
FAIR TRADE ENTERPRISES
ACROSS
COUNTRIES
82

965,700
LIVELIHOODS IMPACTED

52 %
OF CEOS ARE WOMEN
92 %
REINVEST ALL PROFITS IN
THEIR SOCIAL MISSION

74 %
OF IMPACTED LIVELIHOODS
ARE LED BY WOMEN 4 times
LESS LIKELY TO GO
BANKRUPT

To find out more about WFTO members on a global

Find out
level have a look at the Alternative Business Model
report, a research revealing key insights about Fair
Trade enterprises.

more Published in the beginning of this year it gives a better

understanding of the revolution in business which these
mission-led enterprises fight for.
 8
OUR POLICY WORK
To substantially change trade from conventional ways towards social and environmentally sustainable
models multilevel discussion and collaboration is needed. This is why one of our work pillars consists of
policy work, often together with other actors of the Fair Trade Movement or the wider social economy
network. At the moment, the following are the two major topics we advocate on.

<< MIND OUR BUSINESS >>

REPORT
In collaboration with CONCORD-Europe, WFTO- Firstly, sustainable and inclusive businesses are
Europe is advocating to amplify the transformative driven by a social and environmental mission
power of sustainable and inclusive business allowing them to create, rather than capture,
models through EU external action, which is the value. Secondly, they are directed by participatory
core of the Mind Our Business report, featuring decision-making and inclusive governance,
some of our members. shifting power to people who are often left out of
This report makes the case for sustainable and business decisions affecting them, such as
inclusive businesses as key qualitative partners employees, producers, community groups or
for the EU in its external action. environmental and consumer organisations.

FASS-FOOD, FAIR TRADE AND

THE FARM-TO-FORK STRATEGY
WFTO-Europe is proud to be part of the FASS- expanding it to the global North. Here we see
Food EU Project, which stands for Fair, great potential for farming but also any other
Accessible, Sustainable and Short food chains industry, which remains unfair and drives
within the EU, along with the FTAO and the inequality in Europe, too. Make sure to have an
University of Antwerp. WFTO-Europe engages in eye out for our position paper on Northern Fair
advocacy for FASS food chains and we strongly Trade, which will come out at the end of May
believe that the Fair Trade Principles are key to 2021. A warm thank you to our members Syn
making such food chains viable in Europe. Allois from Greece and Altromercato and CTM
Thereby, we contribute to the Farm to Fork Agrofair from Italy for participating in the FASS-
strategy of the EU and even go a step further. Food EU project as pioneer examples of
Part of our work is to universalise Fair Trade, so enterprises contributing to FASS food chains.
9
BUILDING FAIR TRADING
PARTNERSHIPS
As the Covid-19 crisis has nearly shattered the WFTO-Europe network have with producers. The
foundations of most businesses leaving them examples in this Review show some different
struggling to survive, there has since been a approaches, which all have the commonalities of
significant focus on resilience - of supply chains, of close (often personal) relationships that ensures the
businesses themselves, and of the economy at large continuous improvement of the livelihoods of the
to withstand shocks of different kinds and of producers and their communities. Other common
magnitudes ranging up to the current crisis. Many elements include dialogue on design, capacity-
businesses responded to the disruption by 'cutting- building for the producers and their workers, and
and-running' away from their producers and visits to producers as well as visits by producers to
suppliers. This was most vividly seen from examples the enterprise in Europe.
in the textiles sector, where businesses at a These kind of business partnerships are crucial to
moments' notice cancelled and refused to pay orders ensuring social and environmental sustainability
already produced. Many years of hard work has been through constant improvement of business and
lost over the span of just a single year because of production practices by collaboration, rather than by
this type of corporate behaviour. negotiation of who will shoulder the burden of
A very different type of response can also be seen, upholding high standards on these parameters.
however, among certain businesses. Social and Fair Furthermore, when either partner - or both - face a
Trade Enterprises have often taken action to support crisis, these type of partnerships mean they support
their producers and suppliers through this crisis, with each other to weather the difficulties. The selected
whatever means they can. Their mission-led WFTO members in this Review exemplify several
governance structure and business model mean that inspiring ways of supporting their producers during
they have a completely different relationship with lock-downs or vanishing demand, and of similarly
producers, suppliers and their workers. They supporting local shops in Europe suddenly unable to
collaborate with these to build strong and close sell to their customers. Altogether, this makes for
trading partnerships founded on trust, solidarity and models of business that are much more resilient.
on mutual support to ensure mutual benefit. Most importantly, this approach to business is clearly
a key element in making an entire business fully
The focus of this publication is to highlight the special sustainable and we hope that companies in general
relationships that Fair Trade Enterprises in the will learn from and be inspired by it.

BUILD BACK FAIRER

The Covid-19 pandemic and its social distance and lock-down
measures are having a heavy toll on the most vulnerable in our
societies, including small producers and workers. The current
crisis has shown us not only how interdependent we all are but
also how the destruction of nature, the deforestation as well as
the climate and health crises are all interrelated, and share the
exploitation of people and planet as a common root
cause.Returning to ¨business as usual¨ after the pandemic would
reinforce the inequalities and unsustainability of our current
system. Instead, a transformation of the economy and the
governance of global supply chains is needed, not only in the
interest of small producers and farmers, but also in the interest of
#BUILDBACK present and future generations.
FAIRER
 10
MALONGO MISSION FRANCE

Malongo is a French SME, family owned business, specialized in the import, roasting and
commercialization of coffees, especially organic and fair trade coffees. Its work with producers
and its knowledge of the coffee sector enable it to select top-of-the-range coffees grown with
care. Since 1896, it is run by the same family and therefore it is a company with a human face.
Malongo is an enterprise committed at various levels: socially, for the quality of their products
and environmentally, in France as well as in producing countries. Its environmental policy
includes all sectors of the company: from the supply of coffees, produced according to
methods that respect nature, to production, which favors recyclable packaging.

Relationships Most Inspiring

Covid-19 Crisis Impact
with Producers Achievement
Malongo imports about 30 different The health crisis has not impacted
fair trade coffee origins from 14 all countries in the same way. The
An impact study was carried out
countries. Each country, each terroir Asian countries with which Malongo
last year to highlight the positive
and each cooperative being works, such as Laos and Myanmar,
impact of fair trade on the CPC
different, Malongo adapts to the have closed their borders, making it
cooperative in Laos, a Malongo
different local contexts to carry out impossible to travel to the
its partnerships. The company works cooperatives. In Latin America and partner since 2008. The results
to support the cooperatives in their Mexico, Covid hit harder, but visits showed that their collaboration
development and to improve the remained possible, permitting the had improved the living
quality of the coffee. All this with the follow up of projects on sit. conditions of the families. The
aim of developing new products to cooperative has become an
be commercialized, in line with the important player on the Bolaven
company's taste standards. It is a Plateau, leading to the
win-win partnership, based on trust development of the entire
and mutual commitment. region.
Another aspect that the company
holds dear is the accompaniment Local buyers have increased
towards fair trade and organic
their prices, people have started
farming certifications, when it is
to plant more coffee, creating a
possible. Malongo establishes
real dynamic for the local
partnerships with producers who, at In France, the Covid crisis had a
the beginning, are not always strong impact on marketing volumes. economy. The social
certified, but they commit to them As Malongo sells 40% of its coffee to organization of the CPC is a
and follow them in their approach. restaurants, bars and hotels, their model of its kind. It is a
Malongo evaluates the production closure for many months had an centralized cooperative that
potential of the cooperatives, sets impact on sales and purchasing brings together the different
objectives that correspond to them volumes. Despite the obvious productions of the member
and builds a development plan over decline in sales, the French roaster
villages. True examples of
3 or 5 years to bring them towards has given priority to its partner
success, the producers have had
independence and financial cooperatives and has maintained its
the opportunity to share their
profitability. purchase volume commitments to
By ensuring outlets and a minimum them. experience with other coffee
purchase price over the long term, growers, in Myanmar for
Malongo allows the cooperative to example or in the North of the
project itself into the future and to country. An exchange of good
develop. Producers are guaranteed practices between farmers which
to be paid for the fruits of their labor. is beneficial for all!
11
EZA FAIRER HANDEL AUSTRIA

MISSION
The Austrian Fair Trade pioneer EZA Fairer Handel was founded in 1975.
For EZA Fair Trade is the rule not the exception. To improve livelihoods of producers,
to make consumers question common trading practices with the objective to change
their purchasing patterns and to address structural inequalities – these are the
main objectives. To advocate for fairer supply chains and to high-light the
link between climate justice and trade justice are topics on EZA’s agenda.

Relationships The Covid Crisis Impacts

For EZA transparency is of utmost importance. EZA Ever since the pandemic started EZA got into a steady
shares information about its 136 partner exchange with their trading partners and producer
organisations by providing a direct link from each organisations to update each other on their respective
product in its online shop to the involved producer situation. This information was disseminated to the consumers
organisations and trading partners. To be able to and World Shops. The Austrian World Shops Association,
communicate accurately who produces the products, another WFTO-Europe member, created the Emergency
EZA fosters a very close exchange with most of its Support Fund to support trading partners and producers
trading partners. This includes direct contracting and affected by the ongoing Covid-19 crises. EZA has backed this
ordering, which is the case for its huge range of important initiative from the very beginning, promoted it and,
crafts & fashion products, coffees and other food above all, proposed concrete support projects in close contact
products. On-site visits and invitations to partners to with its trading partners. The money raised through this fund
visit Austria are strengthening the close relationships enabled producers e.g., to safeguard jobs even with idle
and are giving consumers access to first-hand production and to finance Covid-19 safety measures or support
information. In the case of certain composite food activities for producers in need. The Emergency Support Fund
products EZA sometimes cooperates with other Fair provides a short-term relief. On the long-term consumers must
Trade organisations like the WFTO-Europe member be motivated to buy Fair Trade products because producers
GEPA in Germany or a FLO-certified Swiss chocolate need reliable and continuous orders and strong trading
manufacturer to enhance efficiency and enable a partnerships to keep improving their working and living
division of tasks. conditions.
Moreover, EZA did not cancel any orders, as many mainstream
businesses did. All invoices were paid on time and advance
payments were made where requested from its trading
partners.
12 12
EZA FAIRER HANDEL AUSTRIA

INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENTS
EZA’s stands out with its resiliency. For over 45 years, EZA has campaigned for an alternative
way of doing business that empowers people at the beginning of the supply chain. It asserts
itself in an unfair competition where preference is given to companies that do not take
responsibility for the production conditions of their products. EZA together with many other
Fair Trade actors, producers, World Shops and customers are going against the flow showing
that a more sustainable and climate friendly way of doing business and consumption is
possible. For EZA, products are always a way to set themes and send a specific message to
customers. With its Coffee for Future EZA addresses the issue of climate crisis, climate and
trade justice, the Coffee Adelante, grown and marketed by women initiatives in Honduras and
Peru, stands for women empowerment, helping women to defend their rights and to strengthen
their independence. In Fair Fashion EZA sets high standards for its products concerning the
social and environmental quality of the garments and motivates people not only to buy fair
trade clothing but also to participate in activities of the NGO Clean Clothes Campaign aimed at
improving working conditions in the garment industry. Overall, EZA with the help of its
innovative trading partners and producers, created an attractive product mix while striving for
high social, environmental and quality standards.
Challenges

EZA's Story Time

Qhana is a cooperative of knitters in Bolivia and a long-lasting trading partner of EZA. Since they do not belong to any
Fair Trade certification scheme, EZA is guaranteeing its Fair Trade compliance. As part of their monitoring, EZA trained
Qhana to follow the 10 principles of Fair Trade and to develop their own FT policies and practices. This led to a
strengthening of the organization and the participation of the knitters from the marginalized, indigenous community. Today
the knitters are on the Board of Qhana and managing all organizational tasks. In addition, the cooperative decided to
invest into hand knitting machines, that allow the knitters to earn more. The training sessions are held by experienced
members of the organization, including people with disabilities who share their knowledge with the group.
For EZA, Fair Trade is an example of how bridges are built across continents, connecting people worldwide in a very
special way. At the heart of this is the conviction that only together can we succeed in making the world a better place for
everyone.

Regular orders
Open communication
Address problems
Be on-site
Develop together
136 trading Fulfil responsibilities Reliability
partners Fast communication
From 47 countries allows for adaptation
in Africa, Asia, Feedback culture
Latin America and allows to profit from
the Near East each others expertise
13
ASSOCIAZIONE ITALY
BOTTEGHE DEL
MONDO
MISSION
Warm greetings and congratulations to Associazione Botteghe del Mondo on their 30-year
anniversary! Associazione Botteghe del Mondo, is a network of 50 cooperatives and
associations running over 100 "Botteghe del Mondo" (World Shops) promoting Fair Trade.
Their mission is to fight for social justice by reducing poverty, through capacity building for
marginalized producers.

Relationships Covid Crisis Story time

Their three most important pillars in Associazione Botteghe del Mondo
La Páz, Bolivia in 1998. Antonia
the relational context are organized an assembly to check in
Rodrigues is a young woman
transparency, collaboration and with the World Shops. Many of them
working for a family alpaca
continuity. Since the network actors had improved their e-commerce and
cooperative when she meets
have different means these points home-delivery services, which led to
Associazione Ad Gentes, member of
help to reinforce partnership while more customer contact. For the
Associazione Botteghe del Mondo,
working toward a shared mission. producers who were able to
on their fortunate trip. Antonia
The Fair Trade Principles and the produce, the World Shops confirmed
envisions to sell high-quality alpaca
Fair Trade International Charter their orders. This showcases the
sweaters.
resemble the connecting bridges. stability of the Fair Trade Model
also during difficult times. The crisis
Associazione Botteghe del Mondo reinforced the community spirit,
places high value on their which increased consumers’ support
relationships and guides members to for Fair Trade and the World Shops.
enlarge their own contexts and The boosted demand and the
Associazione Ad Gentes convinced
horizons to interact with more increased use of technology led to a
by Antonia’s determination provides
stakeholders, especially local good result for the World Shops in
support by proposing to sell them at
institutions as schools and 2020 highlighting the value of Fair
Italian World Shops. Antonia seizes
universities and social and solidarity Trade networks.
the possibility and together with
economies. Regarding this aspect a
other poor but very strong women
lot of cooperation exists with WFTO- Most inspiring achievement founds the cooperative
Europe, WFTO Global, FTAO Tuttaunaltracosa is the national Fair ASARBOLSEM and starts on
,Equogarantito and Fairtrade Italy to Trade festival. It attracts around 60- keeping Italians warm. The first
provide the World Shops with 70 exhibitors from World Shops to order accounts for around 700
necessary technicalities, possibilities producers, local institutions, social Dollars. Fast-forwarding to the
to evolve and to support them with
and solidarity economy networks present, 70 World Shops all over
advocacy work and local events. and other Fair Trade networks. Italy are offering the fine garments.
Helping members to create new
Tuttaunaltracosa offers a great Thanks to the strong durable
strategies and political agendas is opportunity for World Shops to have relationship with the World Shops
top of the agenda. Furthermore,
direct contact with customers and to Antonia and all the women at
educational sessions about Banca meet other World Shops, it also ASARBOLSEM have a fixed income,
Etica and Mag, the financial
offers 2 days of cultural which allows them to get training
stakeholders provide support to the programmes. 2021 will mark the and to send their kids to school.
World Shops. The workshops and 27th creation of momentum. Antonia has always been ambitious
programmes always circle around Tuttaunaltrocampo, the only and so ASARBOLSEM is now also a
the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs international youth camp on Fair WFTO guaranteed member, and she
Trade and social and solidarity has been a guest at
economy in Italy is another great in Tuttounaltrocampo many years ago.
initiative of the Association. This is only one example of the
strong impact of Fair Trade and how
it positively shapes unique stories.
 14
SHARED EARTH UNITED KINGDOM

SHARED EARTH'S MISSION

Shared Earth is an UK Importer of Fair Trade, eco and ethical products from
around the world, specializing in sustainable and recycled products. They buy
from 20 WFTO members around the world. Fair Trade is the basis of their
business, as well as the environment. Their policy is to follow the 10
principles of FT. They also have a mission statement which is to tackle the
climate crisis, and create a fairer, more sustainable world. They’ve put the
environment as their top priority. Indeed, if the climate crisis isn’t tackled,
global warming would destroy all the good work the fair trade movement has
done in the last 50 years.

Relationships with Producers The Covid-19 Crisis Impact

The most important for Shared Earth, is to have Lots of their suppliers are suffering because of
equal relationships with their producers. They the lack of orders and of work. They sometimes
try their best to get along with the people they had to help them giving out food and provide for
are trading with, and to have meaningful them financially. More importantly, during this
relationships, not only based on rules and crisis period Shared Earth continued to develop
regulations but on mutual respect and new products and to order a lot. Their catalogue
appreciation for each other. Both producers and from this year came out with way more new
retailers have something to offer to each other, products than in any previous catalogues. For
and the help goes in both ways. Many times, them, it is very valuable for suppliers, that they
producers helped Shared Earth in times of still place orders for the artisans to have work.
problems. Being able to count on the people you
partner with, is for them a valuable part of what
Fair Trade is about. The most important is to
create relationships of respect and equality,
which are going to lead to equality in the world.

MOST INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENT

Shared Earth provided a wake up call to the fair trade movement in general
about climate change. They consider sustainability and eco values needs to
be treated more seriously. They try to help their suppliers to fit to the eco
market, and some of them have then introduced eco products in their range.
They also believe that shipping is one of the Fair Trade movement’s two
major contributors to global warming, and we need to tackle it urgently. All
their shipping is now carbon-neutral, using biofuels through the services of
GoodShipping, which they recommend to all businesses which wish to reduce
their carbon emissions.
15
GLOBO - FAIR TRADE GERMANY
PARTNER

MISSION
Globo originates from founder Manfred Winkler's engagement with student groups in Germany
and Switzerland in the 1960’s that saw the issues with the mainstream economy and wanted to
change it. They rejected the model of communism, and instead looked towards ’capitalism with a
human face.’ In 1971, Manfred traveled to Latin America, where he saw for himself what
Mission
exploitation looks like and what the inequalities created by the prevailing economic system
means for marginalised people in different parts of the world. This led him to found Globo in
order to give such people better opportunities to improve their livelihoods, and to demonstrate
that business can be done differently to serve both people and planet. Since then, for nearly 50
years, Globo’s mission has been to work with such marginalized producers, workers and artisans
mainly in Latin America, Africa and Asia by paying better prices, improving livelihoods, and
bringing products from these countries to Europe both physically and culturally (by keeping the
traditions that these products embody).

Relationships with producers

Globo approaches the relationships with their One of key challenges in many of the countries
producers as partnerships, and they know each of Globo’s producers is that all producers must
of them personally. They collaborate closely make use of an export office to ship their
with them, for example on the design of products to Globo. This is often very expensive
products, but always as a dialogue – they listen and can be a big barrier for many producers,
to the ideas, cultural values and traditions of the especially from indigenous groups, in these
producers and finds the middle way with what countries. Globo has found ways to help them
pleases customers in Europe. They have overcome this barrier by working together with
relationships with producers in approximately 25 trusted people to handle the export papers and
countries counting 60 producers. other necessary documentation.
 16
GLOBO - FAIR TRADE GERMANY
PARTNER

GLOBO's Commitments

FAIR TRADE SUSTAINABLE HANDCRAFTED TRANSPARENT

FAIR & SOCIAL
SINCE 1973 PRODUCTION WITH LOVE SUPPLY CHAINS

Covid-19 Crisis Impact

During the Corona pandemic the producers that and the money from the collection was then
Globo work with were for the most part hit by divided proportionately and sent directly to
restrictions barring them from working or were these producers.
hit directly by the disease, either themselves or
family members or relatives. Globo itself has Also at home, in Germany, did Globo go an
also been hit by lower sales over the last year, extra mile to support their partners: Most of the
but they have stayed committed to their world shops, which are amongst Globo’s
producers and they did not cancel any orders wholesale customers, had to close down due to
throughout. Covid-19 restrictions
or in order to safeguard members of staff in
In order to further support their producers high-risk groups. This has taken a heavy toll on
during these devastating times, Globo the world shops who virtually unable to sell
participated in paying aid to them. In response anything during lock-downs. Globo thus gave
to the pandemic, the German Federal their online customers the option of identifying
Government lowered consumption taxes from the world shop closest to them, and Globo
19% to 16% in general and on food from 7% to would then pay to the world shop the difference
5%. Globo collected the difference and paid it between the price paid by the customer and the
into an account managed by the German wholesale price that the world shops normally
association of world shops, Weltladen- pay to Globo. This gave much needed support
Dachverband, which ma-naged to collect around to many world shops in Germany that were
€ 500,000. Globo and other contributors were barred from selling to costumers themselves.
then asked to identify producers,

Most Inspiring Achievement

In the 50 years since Manfred first went to paying producers more than market prices,
Latin America and decided to set up Globo, and he was known as El loco de Alemania.
he has witnessed and driven a remarkable Today, however, many of these people now
change in approach to business amongst speak the same language that he did 30 years
Globo’s peers. At first, mainstream business ago, many of them now run Fair Trade
people around him was laughing at his Enterprises of their own. Through half a
approach of running an enterprise that century, Globo has been a pioneer in their
makes direct relationships with the primary field and continue to show the way for other
producers, and does business which is businesses on how fairness and sustainabi-
mutually beneficial to them and itself. 30 lity can be ensured through direct, strong
years ago they were calling him a communist relationships and collaborations with
since Globo was producers.
17
ELECOSY BELGIUM

MISSION
Elecosy was set up in 2013 by Mady and Frank after a trip to Sri Lanka. They both originate
from the paper and interior design industry, and for the trip to Sri Lanka they were involved in
a project on carbon certificates for developing country producers. Meeting producers making
paper products with elephant’s dung and cut-offs from the cotton industry inspired them to set
up Elecosy to market completely natural and sustainable paper products in Europe. However,
as this type paper turned out not to be suitable for wall paper, their key area of expertise, they
had to take on the challenge of moving beyond the field they knew best. Throughout they have
been dedicated to the mission of marketing a sustainable and eco-friendly product that
contributes positively to the communities of the producers while safeguarding animal welfare
for endangered species like elephants and rhinoceroses.

Relationships at Elecosy. In order to create Most Inspiring Achievement

stability and stability for the During the Covid-19 pandemic
Elecosy started out with their
relationship with a paper producer in producers, Elecosy prefinances operations nearly completely
Sri Lanka, which has been their main their orders and to the extent shut down at the producers
trading partner for their paper possible they make continuous Elecosy collaborates with.
products. Elecosy visits this orders even when some stock
producer in person every year to remains unsold.
collaborate on design, capacity-
building and on continuously
Covid Crisis
improving how the work contributes During the Covid-19 pandemic
to the livelihoods and communities of operations nearly completely
the artisans there. Capacity-building shut down at the producers
is in particular essential to adapt Elecosy collaborates with.
design of products to the European Especially the producer in Sri Especially the producer in Sri
market. While many of the products Lanka, which is slowly restarting
Lanka, which is slowly restarting
that Elecosy markets are thus
production only quite recently. production only quite recently.
designed for the European market in
Until then, Elecosy continued to Until then, Elecosy continued to
collaboration with the producer, a big
order from them in an effort to order from them in an effort to
part of them remains the producer’s
help the producer and its help the producer and its
traditional products made with local
artisans. In turn they were artisans. In turn they were
design and techniques.
provided with any leftover stock provided with any leftover stock
While Elecosy was looking into that the producer could still that the producer could still
natural dyes in India for the paper manage to find to fill the orders, manage to find to fill the orders,
products, they happened upon so both stretched their so both stretched their
another of their close and trusted capacities in order to keep capacities in order to keep
producers, Auroville Papers. They business running even during business running even during
have the very approach of tough lock-downs in both tough lock-downs in both
completely natural paper products countries. In a similar fashion, countries. In a similar fashion,
made with particular attention to Elecosy provided advance Elecosy provided advance
working conditions and remuneration payments to Auroville Papers in payments to Auroville Papers in
that fit into Elecosy’s model. order to support the enterprise order to support the enterprise
Auroville Papers innovates a lot on and the people depending on it and the people depending on it
their own for different kind of during the pandemic.
during the pandemic.
products, the most iconic being the
paper flowers that are very popular
 18
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
All of us as individuals can help contribute to the fair and sustainable future we need, but of
course we cannot do it alone. Business and policy-makers will have to do their part, too. Don't
despair if the task seems overwhelming - here are the two most important actions you can take:

SPEAK OUT!
To achieve a sustainable world economy, business will have to change at its foundation. The
enterprises highlighted in this Review all demonstrate how mission-led business models work to
contribute directly to social and environmental sustainability by simply doing their core business and
remain commercially viable. They operate in accordance with SDG 12 - Sustainable consumption and
production - and are one model towards a sustainable future.
Help spread the word and raise awareness of such business as a working alternative to business as
usual! This is an action everyone can do where you don't need to balance your budget first, and the
impact if all of us speak out strongly in support for such business models is tremendous.

SHOP FAIR ONLINE

wfto.com/fashion

If you are worried about the

harmful impacts of the fashion
industry when shopping clothes,
have a look at the Fair Trade
Fashion Catalogue.
It shows how fashion can be done
in a fair manner which also
respects environment and climate.

wfto.org/webshops

Take a look at the Fair Trade web shop

to find beautiful and handy products
from enterprises constantly striving to
improve on responsible and sustainable
production. All products you find there
are crafted and produced adhering to
the 10 principles of Fair Trade and
contribute to bettering the livelihoods of
marginalised communities worldwide.
In times of crisis, the values and ideals of
fair trade are upheld and demonstrated in
the support given to the producers and
those most affected.

ROOPA MEHTA, WFTO PRESIDENT

World Fair Trade Organization Europe ASBL

Rue Washington 40, 1050 Brussels (Belgium)
(Registre des personnes morale) 888.374.005
http://wfto-europe.org

(+32) 2 386 62 68

[email protected]
[email protected]