Fair Trade
What Fair Trade actually means
Fair Trade doesn't just mean paying a fair price. It is an entirely different way of doing business, where the objective is not profit at any cost, but to help people in the world's most marginalised communities escape poverty and promote sustainability.
(At least, that's the way we see it at People Tree, and that's why we're a registered and very active member of IFAT, the International Fair Trade Association.)
How People Tree does Fair Trade
When you look at business like this – as a tool to support people – great things can be achieved. We actively support 50 Fair Trade producer groups, in 15 developing countries.
For example, we provide training to artisans and their organisations so they can improve their skills, and strengthen their businesses and social impact. And we regularly make 50% advance payments on orders, to help farmers and producer groups to finance Fair Trade. We often put money into local communities too, like in Kumbeshwar Technical School, Kathmandu, where we help fund education for children who would not otherwise have access to education.
We also allow enough time for production by hand, which is very rare in this world dominated by fast fashion.
Each group that we work with is unique. Many are founded specifically to deal with a crisis or social issues in a particular area or community.
So, one group promotes livelihoods, agricultural development and seed banks for indigenous Peruvians, another empowers physically disabled people in Kenya, and yet another provides vital income to hand-weavers in rural Bangladesh. Incomes are doubled on average, key changes put place help develop these communities – and their pride. And after all, we all like to be treated with respect.
Inspirational groups like these are transforming lives through Fair Trade partnerships. The fact that they provide us with beautiful alpaca knits, intricately-crafted jewellery, and delicate silks is incidental. (Well, almost! It's what makes it sustainable and not just an intellectual pursuit.)
