What makes Fair Trade Enterprises different from the mainstream business? In this latest episode, Erinch Sahan takes us to the journey of Village Industries on how authenticity, the increasing awareness on environmental issues and prioritising their workers have given them a unique place in the fast changing market.
Social Enterprise + Fair Trade (WFTO)
African Authenticity by Village Industries in a crowded marketplace
Published: 14th November 2019
Eric shares his insights on how zero waste can be co-opted and watered down by mainstream businesses, and how the social enterprises community can make zero waste ideas transformative!
Published: 7th November 2019
This week's episode is the story of Global Mamas, a social enterprise and a global community built to create a life of prosperity for African women and their communities.
They work with 341 Ghanaian women who produce unique, handcrafted dresses, soaps, decor. While being globally successful, they share 30% of their profits directly with the producers.
With ethical practices at every level of their supply chain and innovative eco-friendly planning, they continue to be a definition of a Fair Trade Enterprise.
Published: 24th October 2019
Our new member is pioneering business innovations that speak of their name – Conserve India.
They are a fashion brand that works with waste pickers and refugees in India, and they turn landfill waste (which otherwise will not be recycled) into materials for fashion products.
In this podcast with Erinch Sahan, social entrepreneur Kanika shares their people and planet innovations to inspire entrepreneurs to pursue bolder ambitions to address current challenges.
Published: 10th October 2019
Manos del Uruguay is a weaving enterprise and brand that is co-owned and run by 200 hundred women artisans.
They make high-quality products that are being sold in Champs-Élysées and 5th Avenue New York.
As a social enterprise that fully practices Fair Trade, they are committed to ensuring that their success means the success of all of its artisans. This is their journey from social enterprise to high-end fashion.
Published: 3rd October 2019
These are the stories of social entrepreneurs from across the globe. Each podcast is a short conversation with people who lead Fair Trade Enterprises that put people and planet first.
Published: 3rd October 2018
On this third episode of our 10 Principles of Fair Trade series we are joined by Michelia of TradeAid and Nancy of Freeset to discuss Fair Trade Principle 3: Fair Trade Practices in more detail. How did these these two Fair Trade Enterprises remain committed to Fair Trade practices during the pandemic, how did they initiate new projects to respond to the emerging needs and how has this crisis impacted their work?
Published: 23rd February 2021
On this second episode of our 10 Principles of Fair Trade series we are joined by Selyna of Selyn and Martin of El Puente to discuss Fair Trade Principle 2: Transparency and Accountability in more detail. In response to this crisis, mainstream businesses have delayed, put on hold, or cancelled their orders, so how did these Fair Trade Enterprises respond to the challenges and how do they prioritise transparency and accountability in all areas of their work?
Published: 12th February 2021
What can pirates teach you about management and rule-breaking? And can we really do away with bosses? Robin Roth, CEO of Traidcraft PLC, tells the story of a Fair Trade pioneer that has been reborn. He talks through their recent success on ecommerce, the challenges facing Fair Trade social enterprises and how he's implemented decentralised management to create a nimble new social enterprise.
Published: 22nd January 2021
On this first episode of our 10 Principles of Fair Trade Series we are joined by Ueli of WomenCraft and Kanika of Conserve India to discuss Fair Trade Principle 1: Opportunities for Disadvantaged Producers in more detail. We will learn the problems and obstacles that both Fair Trade Enterprises have to face during the pandemic and the help and support that they have shown to their artisans during this difficult time.
Published: 11th December 2020
Two years since the adoption of the International Fair Trade Charter, WFTO has joined forces with a wide coalition of civil society organisations to demand the transformation of the economy and the trade system through just and sustainable COVID-19 policies. In this special episode, Erinch Sahan speaks with Roopa Mehta, WFTO President, about the evolution of the Fair Trade movement, the challenges and opportunities that have risen in recent years and the prospect of Fair Trade Enterprises becoming a model of alternative business.
Published: 25th September 2020