18 Mar 2016
European Commission and Fairtrade International join forces to drive sustainable development
Image: Fairtrade International
Fairtrade International has been chosen as one of the European Commission’s strategic partners for the next five years to help deliver a better deal for small-scale farmers and workers round the world.
Twenty-two organizations were chosen from thousands of applications to enter into a Framework Partnership Agreement with the EC. The agreements were signed by EU Development Commissioner Neven Mimica at a ceremony in Brussels today.
It’s the first time the EC has signed agreements with civil society organizations to work together towards common objectives. In Fairtrade’s case, it means working jointly to empower small producers and workers to combat poverty, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to build a strong, united and representative global Fairtrade system.
“We’re delighted to have been chosen to be one of the EC’s strategic partners,” said Martin Hill, Interim CEO of Fairtrade International. “We bring our experience helping farmers, producers and workers out of poverty and can point to the real impacts we are having in changing lives by changing trade.”
One particular area of focus will be Public Private Partnerships. “Fairtrade can be a real driver to help the EU achieve the SDGs because we understand that sustainable production and sustainable consumption go hand in hand,” said Hill. “Fairtrade works with major brands in the commodities supply chain and we are in a great position to engage businesses in delivering the SDGs.”