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Selling fairly traded products from around the world. |
Over the years, ATG has accumulated a cash surplus. The members have decided to support, with a donation, one of Traidcraft Exchange's projects - the PROFIT project in India.
What is the PROFIT project?
Steady economic growth in India over the last fifty years has created a significantly larger middle class, but the benefits of economic growth are unequally distributed between rich and poor. Poverty is becoming more geographically concentrated, with some states or regions benefiting less than others. However, the rise of the middle class in India has created the opportunity to develop a fair trade market which could help many thousands of poor producers out of poverty. Traidcraft Exchange's 'Promoting Fair Trade in India' project (PROFIT) is the start of a long-term programme to develop the domestic fair trade market in India.This is particularly important for the poorest producers who do not have the capacity to sell to export markets. The project will therefore address the following needs:
- Promoting the concept of 'fair trade' within India - raising awareness and understanding of fair trade amongst consumers, the media, policy makers, etc.
- Developing appropriate fair trade standards, monitoring and certification systems for the Indian context to promote confidence amongst Indian consumers.
- Developing the Indian fair trade market to provide market opportunities for more than 40,000 poor and disadvantaged fair trade producers.
- Training, mentoring and supporting fair trade producers so that they can benefit from the new market opportunities, and to make sure that fair trade products are available to consumers.
- Organising a fair trade festival to provide an opportunity for fair trade producers in India to come together, display and sell their products.
How is the project being implemented?
The three year project is now mid-way through implementation. The total cost is £193,784, of which the European Union has granted £145,338 (75%). Traidcraft Exchange, therefore, has to raise £48,446 to release the EU grant. £30,107 has been raised so far, leaving £18,339 to be found. Abingdon Traidcraft Group has given £3,000 towards it. Traidcraft Exchange is working through its local partner in India, 'International Resources for Fairer Trade (India)'.
Traidcraft Exchange will be keeping ATG up to date on progress, so that we can see how our donation is being used.
Promoting fair trade within India will help producers like potter, Pranhudayal Yada, his wife, Lada Devi and their daughter, Minu, who will be able to sell their products on a fair trade basis in national markets.
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This article has been included in the Summer edition of the Traidcraft Magazine.
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