Social Enterprise + Fair Trade (WFTO)

Ellilta Products is a story of a social mission transformed into a business that positively impacts the lives of many women and children. They use the profit of their thriving enterprise to broaden the reach of their social mission: to help women and girls rescued from prostitution. They make high-quality fashion accessories from upcycled materials sold in the United States.

Common Objective (CO) co-founder Clare Lissaman shares her views on the future of ethical fashion and how the fashion industry is increasingly becoming more transparent and sustainable. At the end, of the discussion Clare gives her take on the unique opportunities for social enterprises. CO is an online matchmaker for the ethical fashion chain.

On International Cooperatives Day we hear from Ed Mayo, the secretary general of Cooperatives UK. Ed is helping drive new ideas on creating a Fair Trade economy. He talks about where and how cooperatives thrive, and why they are a bold idea in a world of ecological and social challenges. He gives the story of coops in Japan, Finland, Spain and more, and highlights the emerging area of platform coops.

Created for a mission and designed for impact, CORR The Jute Works sets examples of how modern social entrepreneurship should be. Their successes show it is possible to redefine business to prioritise the people and planet through inclusive governance and representation in decision-making, women’s empowerment and modern and sustainable products. Their mission is enforced by requiring the board’s enterprise to be represented by artisans (5 of 9 seats). Operating for over 4 decades, there is much to learn how to run your own mission-led social enterprise from Bertha Baroi, Director of CORR The Jute Works.