World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)

Cutting funding for refugees’ health now means paying a much higher price later.

📣 Ethical fashion is no longer up for negotiation; change starts NOW! We may think that a fair fashion system👗 is achieved by perfecting the fabric's quality, but in reality, it's the result of numerous social and environmental factors. Fair Trade Enterprises are proof that fashion can be ethical, sustainable, and fair for all. Every garment we wear carries the echo of justice! Through our collective actions, we can change fashion from the bottom up and top down! ✊ We're calling all business owners, advocates, and policymakers: Let's redefine the narrative of fair fashion. Be the voice of the #BusinessRevolution at https://lnkd.in/eqhZziTu #BusinessRevolution #ThinkGloballyActLocally #FashionRevolution #FairFashion #FairTradeEnterprises #SustainableFashion #FairTrade

Last week, the European Economic and Social Committee plenary adopted the Evaluation Report on the EU Directive on unfair trading practices in B2B relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain. Our Managing Director, Jorge Conesa de Lara, has actively contributed as an advisor to the evaluation’s co-rapporteur, Mr Branko Ravnik. Together with the rapporteur, Ms Antje Gerstein, they have been exploring whether the Directive has improved the bargaining power of weaker operators in the food chain. The evaluation also examines if a balance has been achieved between preventing and deterring #UnfairTradingPractices while avoiding excessive burdens, with a focus on Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, and Slovenia. 🤝 We are pleased to see the report include the suggestion to ban the practice of selling below the cost of production, a strong demand from farming communities and something the FTAO has strongly advocated for ahead of the Directive’s evaluation. Including this practice on the black list of unfair trading practices within the Directive is vital for promoting fairness across the supply chain. ⚖️🌾 Looking ahead, the FTAO hopes to see stronger EU commitments to ensure the Directive is robustly implemented, both within the EU and in non-EU countries, to protect all farming communities that are vital to our food systems. 🌍🌱 The FTAO is grateful for the fruitful collaboration with the EESC, particularly its Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment (NAT) section. The EESC’s evaluation report can be consulted in full here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eBXr_MaP

🚨 Fast fashion is fuelling a social and environmental crisis! This destructive cycle, fuelled by the ultra-fast fashion industry, is pushing our planet to breaking point, deepening social injustices, and endangering human health. Without action, global waste is set to skyrocket to 3.8 billion tonnes per year by 2050. This destructive cycle, fuelled by the ultra-fast fashion industry, is pushing our planet to breaking point, deepening social injustices and endangering human health. Without action, global waste is set to skyrocket to 3.8 billion tonnes per year by 2050. 💡 But there is another way. Fair Trade Enterprises are challenging this broken system and proving that business can be #Ethical, #Sustainable, and #FutureProof. They’re rejecting wasteful, exploitative business models and leading a shift towards #Collaboration, #Innovation, and #ZeroWaste solutions. Their results? 🌎 A thriving planet 🏘️ Strong, resilient communities 🔄 Ethical, sustainable profits It’s time to take action! Join us from 1 March to 5 April for Zero Waste Day! Sign up or register your own event here 👇 https://lnkd.in/dPJnrpr4 Join us. Take action. Be part of the #BusinessRevolution! #ZeroWasteDay #BeatWastePollution #FairTradeEnterprises #BusinessRevolution #WFTO #UNEP

✊ Women are terraforming #Business from within! Meet Shukla, Dipali, Sagarika, and Malathi, four #Innovative and #Powerful voices demonstrating how female entrepreneurship and participatory workplaces are redefining the way we do business! Women aren't just masters of their craft; they are the driving force behind Fair Trade Enterprises, helping them thrive and become true leader organisations in both global and local economies. Thank you for celebrating the brilliant leaders, artisans, trailblazers, and changemakers shaping our societies! ✨ Their strength, creativity, and resilience inspire us all in the fight for #GenderJustice. 💜 Let’s keep amplifying their voices and driving meaningful change, every day! 🔔 Stay updated! Visit our Trello space to participate in all our activities https://lnkd.in/eqhZziTu @ Sasha Association For Craft Producers, Last Forest Enterprises Pvt Ltd #NominateAWoman #BusinessRevolution #FairTradeEnterprises #GenderJustice #AccelerateAction #SheLeadsTheWay #WFTO #Impact

This week, our Managing Director, Jorge Conesa de Lara, participated in a panel discussion at the European Parliament on EU food sovereignty and how to strengthen farmers' positions in the food supply chain. 🙌 A big thank you to MEPs Eric Sargiacomo, Esther Herranz García, and Elsi Katainen for organising this important exchange, to Fabien Santini for his valuable presence, as well as to the many speakers who contributed to this timely and crucial discussion. During his intervention, FTAO’s Jorge Conesa highlighted the impact and value of the #FairTrade Movement on the livelihoods of global farmers and workers, from cocoa in Côte d'Ivoire to coffee in Costa Rica and flower plantations in East Africa. 🍫☕🌺 But can fair trade also work at a local level? The short answer is yes. Many local fair trade initiatives have thrived in the EU, particularly in France, where a legal framework with clear criteria and oversight has led to a fourfold increase in Fair Trade product sales over 10 years. Local initiatives have grown without impacting international sales, demonstrating that local laws can promote sustainable trade while supporting global producers. ‼️ To replicate this success at the EU level, the definition of "fair" must be strong, clear, and ambitious, matching existing Fair Trade standards. Weak or vague legislation would harm farmers, food systems, and the economy, undermining the effort and causing more harm than good. 💡 If you want to learn more about our position on the European Commission’s proposal to regulate the use of terms like ‘fair’ and ‘equitable’ under the #CMO, take a look here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/ebJ8ZDqA #Agriculture #CAP #FoodSovereignty

🌊 Fair Trade Enterprises are at the crest of the technological wave! Check out how Selyn Sri Lanka, a women-led handloom textile manufacturer in Sri Lanka, is connecting outstanding traditional artisanry with state-of-the-art digital innovation. Through a collaborative project with the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, and PaperTale, Selyn has launched the “Sandra” Clapping Bag. Equipped with an NFC tag 🏷️ and powered by Blockchain tech, a simple scan allows shoppers to see the impact and transparency of the production process, including the fibre and dyeing process, the artisan who wove the textiles, and the impact on #Communities and the #Environment. As a result, customers and store visitors can make better-informed decisions! 🛍️🔍 The introduction of this innovative logistic process demonstrates that Fair Trade Enterprises are setting new standards for #Transparency, #Sustainability, and #Accountability, proving that ethical fashion and technology go hand in hand! We love showcasing bold ideas and trailblazing enterprises! Know of an innovation that deserves the spotlight? Tell us in the comments! 💡✨   #FairTradeInnovation #InnovationSpotlight #Technology #FairTradeEnterprises #EthicalCraftsmanship #InspiringChange

Zehra Khan, General Secretary of the Home-Based Women Worker's Federation (HBWWF), will be joining us next week to talk about empowering the women who power fashion! Join us on Tuesday for a free online event to empower the women from our network who fight for the labour rights of garment workers. Clean Clothes Campaign is the oldest and largest worker-led global network pushing for a fair fashion industry. The discussion will be a time for celebration, but also an important opportunity to unite and strengthen the movement. You’ll hear from Zehra and three other inspiring women: 1️⃣ Mirjana Obradović who successfully campaigned, alongside other garment workers, to secure unpaid severance from a German brand 2️⃣ Tansy Hoskins, a journalist who investigates the global fashion industry, and author of The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion 3️⃣ Niki Gamara who works for the CCC in South East Asia, supporting garment workers to gather evidence of labour rights violations Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/dsjvMux6

WFTO AME (Africa, Middle East, and Türkiye) is looking for qualified Business Development Consultants to conduct training programs. Interested parties can view the detailed terms of reference: https://pdf.ac/48XfpH. Please submit comprehensive technical and financial proposals to info@wfto-africa.org by 5:00 PM E.A.T. on Friday, March 28th, 2025.

Social Enterprises: Redefining Food Safety and Resilience. Social enterprises play a crucial role in ensuring food safety by addressing environmental and social issues while building community resilience. In recent times, the disconnect between food production and consumption has widened, as the distance between farms and markets continues to increase. This trend diminishes the connection between food, #nature, and #culture. However, #socialenterprises within the food sector can offer #innovative solutions that not only improve productivity but also deliver better social, #health, and #educational services. The recent #economiccrisis has highlighted the #resilience of social enterprises. These organizations have demonstrated the capacity to generate new jobs and preserve existing ones, proving their value beyond a niche sector. Social enterprises, such as social farming in Italy, have already shown that they can scale effectively. These farms provide fresh, organic, and locally grown food, fostering resilient communities rooted in diversity and integration. By collaborating with other local actors, these enterprises can expand their impact, demonstrating that their models can thrive with the right support. As the global population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the need for food production will increase by 70%. However, this expansion could result in severe environmental degradation if we continue with current practices. To address this, food systems must be transformed with scalable, sustainable solutions. Social enterprises can contribute by turning waste into biofuel and fertilizer, using mobile technology to empower farmers, and reintroducing forgotten foods to the global market. Other innovative solutions like community gardens, food cooperatives, and mobile food markets can play a significant role in addressing both food safety and sustainability. Bangladesh, Nepal and other south asian countries need to support social enterprises in agriculture because they can address the critical issues faced by small-scale farmers, like limited access to market, technology, training, and finance, by providing sustainable business models that prioritize social impact alongside profit, thus improving livelihoods and contributing to poverty reduction, especially in rural areas where most of the population relies on agriculture. To ensure the long-term survival and scalability of such initiatives, it is crucial to support social enterprises with accessible opportunities. These efforts not only help solve local issues but also create a positive, lasting impact on communities, the environment, and food systems worldwide. #foodsafety #foodsecurity #nutrition #socialenterprise #letsconnect #letsgo #research #idea #agriculture ImpactLoop LTD Impactpool #worldbank #europeanunion #europeancommission #climatechange #ecofriendlytechnology Alinea International