Fair Trade Enterprises across the world are producing and trading, campaigning and educating for a better world. The WFTO is their global community. Their direct impact includes 965,700 livelihoods supported through the operations and supply chains of these enterprises. 74% of these workers, farmers and artisans are women and women made up the majority of the leadership. They pioneer upcycling and social enterprise, refugee livelihoods and women's leadership. These enterprises show a better world is possible and we support them through a range of initiatives and projects. 

These figures are based on a May 2018 snapshot of 326 Fair Trade Enterprises and a separate analysis of the role of women in Fair Trade Enterprises conducted in January 2018.

Fair Trade Enterprises exist to put people and planet first. This means they pioneer solutions to broader issues like overuse of natural resources, women’s empowerment, refugee livelihoods, human rights, inequality and sustainable farming. Fair Trade Enterprises support organic agriculture, adopt circular economy production processes, generate new models of social enterprise and create new ways to champion the dignity of workers, farmers, artisans and communities around the world. Here are some ways they are innovating to create solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Circular economy

There is a surge in upcycling waste and recycling across the global community of Fair Trade Enterprises. In Bangladesh, they are turning waste saris, paper and discarded cotton from fast fashion factories into bags, baskets and ornaments. Meanwhile, in Zanzibar, a Fair Trade Enterprise is turning waste glass and discarded magazines into lighting accessories and bead curtains. These stories are repeated the world over, as enterprises show they work for both people and planet.

Women's Leadership

When a business exists to pursue a social mission, it is often also a champion for women’s rights. Fair Trade Enterprises are pioneering new ways to empower women. Most leaders of Fair Trade Enterprises are women (CEOs, board and senior management). And most of the farmers, artisans and workers they support are women (about 74%). Fair Trade Enterprises are also active campaigners for women’s rights, including through speaking up collectively on International Women’s Day each year.

Inequality

Tackling inequality is at the core of every Fair Trade Enterprise. They focus on opportunities for marginalised producers, champion living wages, reinvest profits and ensure their business puts people and planet before profit. They explicitly exist as an alternative to exploitative models of business and trade.

Human Rights

The Fair Trade movement fully embraces human rights. Human and labour rights are embeded across the 10 Principles of Fair Trade. This includes the principle of no child or forced labour, gender equity, freedom of association and a host of other human and labour rights that have emerged over the last 70 years. Human rights is at the heart of Fair Trade.

Organic

Every Fair Trade Enterprise must put both people and planet first. This includes a focus on organic agriculture, to make sure farming doesn’t undermine the local ecology. This is why most Fair Trade Enterprises sourcing food and agricultural products are fostering organic farming methods.

The WFTO Guarantee System (GS) combines Fair Trade and social enterprise verification into one. It is built to verify that an enterprise is mission-led, focused on the interests of its producers, and this is in the structure, systems and practices of the enterprise. It was created by experts and pioneers from the Fair Trade movement so as to be credible, clear, and affordable.

In 2011, the membership of the WFTO decided to develop a new type of Fair Trade system to meet the ever-growing demand for a more trustworthy Fair Trade recognition scheme in the international market.  Developed by a group of experts in the field of Fair Trade monitoring and verification, the major aspects in the development of the GS were credibility, sustainability and robustness of the system. To achieve these three criteria, the GS has five major components: new membership admission procedure, Self Assessment Report, Monitoring Audit, Peer Visit, and the Fair Trade Accountability Watch (FTAW). The FTAW is a participative monitoring mechanism that allows the public to report compliance issues regarding Fair Trade Organisations. The GS was approved and implemented by the WFTO Membership in May 2013.

The primary goal of the GS is to improve Fair Trade practices in the supply chain. It is an accountability and development tool for organisations. Carrying out all the components allows WFTO members to be more competitive and responsive to evolving markets thereby creating the potential for increased sales.

The GS is not a product certification system. It is an assurance mechanism that an enterprise is truly mission-led and that Fair Trade is implemented in the supply chain and practices of the organisation. Members that pass the GS process attain the ‘Guaranteed Fair Trade Enterprise’ status and may use the WFTO Label on their products.

Use the Handbook to learn about the the Guarantee System process. Get a copy here.

Watch a presentation about the WFTO Guarantee System here.

Support Fair Trade Web Shops

Visit our search page to find Fair Trade products online. 

Support Fair Trade Crowdfunding

These committed organisations exist to support their communities and producers through Fair Trade. Support these initiatives so they can continue their inspiring work:

Armenia - Homeland Development Initiative Foundation
Bangladesh - Pebble
Ghana - Global Mamas
Guatemala - Cojolya Assoiciation of Mayan Women Weavers
Guatemala - Maya Traditions
India - Fair Trade Forum India's Appeal to Support Artisans
India - Freeset 
Malaysia - Biji Biji Ethical Fashion
Palestine - Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society
Switzerland / Global - Gebana

note: these are initiatives launched or supported by each individual organisation listed above. The cause may be to support the work of the organisation, support their producers or support other initiatives in their community. WFTO does not take responsibility for these initiatives, but has verified that the organisation it is linked to is committed to the 10 Principles of Fair Trade.

Key moments for Fair Trade Enterprises:

World Fair Trade Day

Every year, the global Fair Trade movement comes together to celebrate Fair Trade and challenge the world to embrace it. World Fair Trade Day is every second Saturday of May. WFTO members hold awareness events, meet with their communities, challenge political and business leaders to do more to advance Fair Trade and promote their values through social media. More information on the WFTO social media pages. Celebrate with us, share our posts, join our events and speak up about Fair Trade.

Learn more about our 2019 celebration here.
See our exciting theme and plans for 2020 Fair Trade Day celebration here.

International Women’s Day

Women’s empowerment is at the heart of Fair Trade and we speak up together as a global movement every year. It happens on 8 March each year. More information on the WFTO social media pages. Join us to share our posts, join our events and speak up about Fair Trade.

The Fair Trade movement is full of women bucking the social norms and overcoming gender barriers. Visit our Women's Day 2020 page for stories, reports, activities and downloads.

See also our 2019 Women's Day celebration here.  

International Fair Trade Charter Launch Anniversary

25 September 2018 was a momentous occasion where the entire Fair Trade movement mobilised around a core set of updated values and a fresh new vision. Each year, we celebrate the anniversary. More information on the WFTO social media pages. Join us to share our posts, join our events and speak up about Fair Trade. Join 100s of other organisations, and have your organisation recognise this Charter. Visit www.fair-trade.website for more information.

Birthday of the WFTO

Founded on 28 September 1989, the WFTO celebrates its birthday every year. 2019 is our 30th anniversary. More information on the WFTO social media pages. Join us to share our posts, join our events and speak up about Fair Trade.

Biennial Fair Trade Summit

Every two years, the global Fair Trade movement gathers to learn from and support each other. 100s of leaders and producers gather in a different region each two years. In 2019, it will be in Lima Peru 16-19 September. Join us and promote this gathering! More information in the events section of this website.

What is the Fair Trade
Accountablity Watch?

The Fair Trade Accountability Watch (FTAW) is an online watch system that allows all members as well as concerned stakeholders and the public to raise issues or concerns about a WFTO member’s compliance with the WFTO Standard.

Why Does WFTO Include this
Tool in its Monitoring System?

It creates a platform for shared responsibility and is a cost saving mechanism. The Fair Trade Accountability Watch is another tool for the Guarantee System to ensure the system is robust. It shares responsibility for the reliability of the system among all stakeholders.

How can you File an Alert?

Everybody can use this tool to alert WFTO to possible breaches of the WFTO Fair Trade Standard. You search for the member concerned using at least one of the fields (name, type, region and/or country) and click on “post alert” next to the name of the organisation you would like us to investigate. We then ask you to link your alert to a Fair Trade principle. It is not mandatory to leave your name and contact details, but anonymous complaints carry less weight.

What Happens when an Alert is Filed Against a Member?

WFTO investigates and draws conclusions. When an alert is received, it is shared with the organisation concerned to ask for their side of the story. All information is then forwarded to the Standard and Guarantee System Committee. If the alert is deemed minor because it relates to non-mandatory requirements, or the organisation can provide sufficient evidence the alert is unfounded, it is filed for extra attention in the next scheduled audit. If the alert is found to raise a major compliance issue, an extra audit may be scheduled. The costs for this audit are paid by the organisation that is audited.