The Foundation was established in 1992 by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft and the World Development Movement, later joined by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. Member organisations now also include Banana Link, Methodist Relief and Development Fund, Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, People & Planet, SCIAF, Shared Interest Foundation, Soroptimist International , Tearfund and the United Reformed Church.
The Foundation is the UK member of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO), which unites 21 labelling initiatives across Europe, Japan, North America, Mexico and Australia/New Zealand as well as networks of producer organisations from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Foundation’s mission is to work with businesses, community groups and individuals to improve the trading position of producer organisations in the South and to deliver sustainable livelihoods for farmers, workers and their communities by: - being a passionate and ambitious development organisation committed to tackling poverty and injustice through trade
- using certification and product labelling, through the FAIRTRADE Mark, as a tool for our development goals
- bringing together producers and consumers in a citizens’ movement for change
- being recognised as the UK’s leading authority on Fairtrade
The key areas of activity are: Providing an independent certification of the trade chain, licensing use of the FAIRTRADE Mark as a consumer guarantee on products Facilitating the market to grow demand for Fairtrade and enable producers to sell to traders and retailers Working with partners to support producer organisations and their networks Raising public awareness of the need for Fairtrade and the importance of the FAIRTRADE Mark The Foundation works to the definition of Fair Trade agreed by FINE, a working group of the four international Fair Trade networks (Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International, International Fair Trade Association, Network of European World Shops and the European Fair Trade Association): Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers.
According to independent research, the FAIRTRADE Mark is now the most recognised ethical label by a long way – a recent online shoppers survey, conducted by OC&C Strategy Consultants, showed that twice as many respondents recognised it compared to the next most visible, the Red Tractor. Sales of Fairtrade products are doubling every two years in the UK, giving hundreds of thousands of producers in developing countries the chance to compete in cut-throat global markets, and build a better future for themselves and their families. The FAIRTRADE Mark is the only consumer label that focuses on ensuring farmers in developing countries receive an agreed and stable price for the crops they grow, as well as additional income to invest in community development programmes.
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