Social Enterprise + Fair Trade (WFTO)

In this episode of the WFTO Podcast, Lucia Gilmozzi, part of our Communications Team, delves into the interconnectedness of the environmental and refugee crises with a special guest; Bishadweep Moitra, co-founder of the Fair Trade Enterprise Silaiwali. Discover how Silaiwali's mission to offer economic integration for refugees while repurposing fashion waste bridges the gap between the economy, people, and planet. Bish also explores the relevance of the Fair Trade movement in supporting displaced individuals and highlights the remarkable craftsmanship and cultural perspectives that women refugees bring to the table. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that calls for impactful change.

In this episode, Tamara Cobussen, Guarantee System Manager of WFTO, chats with Caterina Occhio, passionate social entrepreneur, ESG and Sustainability advisor focusing on the luxury and fashion industry, and founder of Ethicarei and SeeMe, WFTO-verified enterprises. What is social procurement? And what is its impact on the fashion industry? What is the role of governments in advancing it and supporting Fair Trade producers? Together they answer all of these questions, highlighting the importance of Fair Trade Enterprises collaborating and providing their knowledge of ethical fashion to mainstream brands, the long-awaited arrival of the new EU due diligence legislation, and the urgency for all fashion brands to play in the same field of transparency and accountability.

In this episode, WFTO collaborates with the Slow Fashion Movement to unpack the complex topic of leather and its impact on the fashion industry. Bhavna Mishra, the Global Strategy Lead for SFM, sheds light on the current discourse around leather, its exploitative production processes, and how we can move beyond misconceptions about the material. The discussion also emphasizes the need for more holistic business models and inclusive decision-making practices involving all participants in the fashion industry. Tune in to learn more about how we can collectively shift towards a more sustainable and equitable fashion system.

The second part of our podcast is on Ethical Consumption. In this episode, Leida Rijnhout, our Chief Executive, emphasizes the role that individuals can play as consumers and citizens in contributing to building a sustainable society and the role of the advertisement industry in inducing unsustainable consumption patterns. According to the current economic system, constantly growing consumption rates fuel economic growth and wealth. However, not all production ensures environmental protection, human right, and sustainable development. For this reason, in this podcast, we delve into the importance of ethical consumption in the new economy.

On this week's podcast, Leida Rijnhout, WFTO's Chief Executive, shares her thoughts on the weaknesses of our broken economic system. Mass consumption is inevitably causing environmental damage and affecting more vulnerable communities worldwide. What could be the role of governments in facilitating the development of more ethical consumption patterns? Listen to our podcast to know how SMEs and domestic markets can play a crucial role in building a new ethical global economy. 12 January 2023

How can meaningful and lasting impact be created even with limited means? In our podcast episode, author and impact advisor Maiden Manzanal-Frank sat down with our Chief Executive Leida Rijnhout to discuss her new book “Provocateurs Not Philanthropists: Turning Good Intentions into Global Impact” — a practical handbook to navigate the complexity of systemic change from the bottom up. According to Manzanal-Frank, the real innovators are those who enable change starting from their own communities and societal spheres. Unlike philanthropists, provocateurs are not fixers nor they have silver bullet solutions. They are rather catalysts for new ideas and paradigms. Fair Trade Entrepreneurs and allies are disruptors that catalyse groundbreaking positive change. Every extra mile starts with a first step into that direction. And with someone willing to take the risk.

What does the future of fashion look like and how are market opportunities shifting for Fair Trade Enterprises? In this episode, Erinch Sahan speaks with Christine Gent, Global Community Director of Fashion Revolution and MADE51 WFTO Fair Trade Expert, and Johny Joseph, Creative Handicrafts Director about brand transparency, conscious consumption and innovations and market opportunities for social enterprises and Fair Trade in the fashion industry.

On this third episode of our 10 Principles of Fair Trade series we are joined by Michelia of TradeAid and Nancy of Freeset to discuss Fair Trade Principle 3: Fair Trade Practices in more detail. How did these these two Fair Trade Enterprises remain committed to Fair Trade practices during the pandemic, how did they initiate new projects to respond to the emerging needs and how has this crisis impacted their work?

On this second episode of our 10 Principles of Fair Trade series we are joined by Selyna of Selyn and Martin of El Puente to discuss Fair Trade Principle 2: Transparency and Accountability in more detail. In response to this crisis, mainstream businesses have delayed, put on hold, or cancelled their orders, so how did these Fair Trade Enterprises respond to the challenges and how do they prioritise transparency and accountability in all areas of their work?

What can pirates teach you about management and rule-breaking? And can we really do away with bosses? Robin Roth, CEO of Traidcraft PLC, tells the story of a Fair Trade pioneer that has been reborn. He talks through their recent success on ecommerce, the challenges facing Fair Trade social enterprises and how he's implemented decentralised management to create a nimble new social enterprise.

On this first episode of our 10 Principles of Fair Trade Series we are joined by Ueli of WomenCraft and Kanika of Conserve India to discuss Fair Trade Principle 1: Opportunities for Disadvantaged Producers in more detail. We will learn the problems and obstacles that both Fair Trade Enterprises have to face during the pandemic and the help and support that they have shown to their artisans during this difficult time.

Two years since the adoption of the International Fair Trade Charter, WFTO has joined forces with a wide coalition of civil society organisations to demand the transformation of the economy and the trade system through just and sustainable COVID-19 policies. In this special episode, Erinch Sahan speaks with Roopa Mehta, WFTO President, about the evolution of the Fair Trade movement, the challenges and opportunities that have risen in recent years and the prospect of Fair Trade Enterprises becoming a model of alternative business.

How are trade shows impacted by the current pandemic? In this episode, Erinch Sahan speaks with Nicolette Naumann, Vice President of the world's leading consumer goods trade show, Ambiente, and she shares her insights and best practice as the world rises from the COVID-19 crisis.

What makes an enterprise truly a social enterprise? In this episode, Erinch Sahan speaks with Lucy Findlay, Managing Director of Social Enterprise Mark CIC, on how social enterprises are coping during the current pandemic and their vision of a world populated by more mission-led enterprises.

Storytelling is all the buzz and telling the story of artisans is key. So how should we approach this? What are the tricks and traps to watch out for? In this latest episode, Erinch Sahan speaks with Manpreet Kaur Kalra, a digital marketing expert, social activist and founder of Art of Citizenry to unveil new insights.

How can you build a brand that supports a truly viable social enterprise? In this celebration episode, Erinch Sahan speaks with Caterina Occhio, founder of SeeMe, on gender justice, building a brand to support women survivors of violence and the future of fair fashion.

How do the intersecting aspects of Fair Trade shape the movement? And what is the future of its business side? In this episode, Erinch Sahan speaks with Katherine Bissell Cordova, Executive Director of Chicago Fair Trade, on her journey to Fair Trade and her insights on the future of the movement.

How does a social enterprise help smallholder farmers navigate better route to the market and get fair prices for their produce? TruTrade CEO’s Jenny Rafanomezana shares their journey, challenges and plans. She also discusses issues that smallholder farmers are facing around the world.

What exactly is a social enterprise? How can they transform the business world? In this episode, Erinch Sahan speaks with John Steel, CEO of Cafedirect, and Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK on the future of mission-led enterprises and the role of ethical business.

Benita Matofska is a visionary change-maker and author of a book on sharing economy - 'Generation Share: The Change-Makers Building the Sharing Economy.' In this episode, Benita unpacks sharing economy and discusses with Erinch Sahan the role of Fair Trade Enterprises in the broader new economy. She also reminds us of the power of humour, human connectivity and building a new economy for people and planet.

What makes Fair Trade Enterprises different from the mainstream business? In this latest episode, Erinch Sahan takes us to the journey of Village Industries on how authenticity, the increasing awareness on environmental issues and prioritising their workers have given them a unique place in the fast changing market.

Eric shares his insights on how zero waste can be co-opted and watered down by mainstream businesses, and how the social enterprises community can make zero waste ideas transformative!

Social entrepreneur Kathy Marshall shares her journey with Sabahar, an Addis Ababa-based Fair Trade Enterprise. Learn first-hand insights from Kathy on running a social enterprise, like dealing with challenges, growth, social and environmental impact, and their deep community involvement, a natural penchant for mission-led enterprises. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or someone interested in social and business innovations, Kathy’s story is for you!

This week's episode is the story of Global Mamas, a social enterprise and a global community built to create a life of prosperity for African women and their communities. They work with 341 Ghanaian women who produce unique, handcrafted dresses, soaps, decor. While being globally successful, they share 30% of their profits directly with the producers. With ethical practices at every level of their supply chain and innovative eco-friendly planning, they continue to be a definition of a Fair Trade Enterprise.

Our new member is pioneering business innovations that speak of their name – Conserve India. They are a fashion brand that works with waste pickers and refugees in India, and they turn landfill waste (which otherwise will not be recycled) into materials for fashion products. In this podcast with Erinch Sahan, social entrepreneur Kanika shares their people and planet innovations to inspire entrepreneurs to pursue bolder ambitions to address current challenges.

Manos del Uruguay is a weaving enterprise and brand that is co-owned and run by 200 hundred women artisans. They make high-quality products that are being sold in Champs-Élysées and 5th Avenue New York. As a social enterprise that fully practices Fair Trade, they are committed to ensuring that their success means the success of all of its artisans. This is their journey from social enterprise to high-end fashion.

Human rights thinker and former UN special Rapporteur Olivier De Schutter discusses with WFTO Chief Executive Erinch Sahan what an ambitious agenda for business and human rights would look like, how to transform business models and how trade can be made fair. This podcast is a special edition for the first anniversary of the Fair Trade Charter www.fair-trade.website.

This week’s episode is about improving social equity, sustainability and product quality in the framework of a Fair Trade Enterprise model. Our guest Elvira Zingg, quality manager of Gebana, shares insights based from their enterprise’s experience.

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.

Maroma is a Fair Trade Enterprise from India that is built to benefit its workers and their community. It is part of the wave of all-natural products that is seeing increased consumer demand - specialising in body care products and fragrances. As a social enterprise, they have leveraged their commitment to people and planet to create high quality products.

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.

In our new podcast, Jonathan and Helen discuss their new initiative to allow consumers to directly tip the maker of the product. This podcast explains how tip me works, and how it benefits businesses in the promotion of ethically-made products.

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.

This week, Erinch speaks with Laura Cave from BAFTS- a leading network of independent Fair Trade shops in the UK. Laura tells her story of founding a social enterprise to collaborate with and benefit artisans in Peru.

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.

Can a chocolate social enterprise go global? This is Arjen's story of Tony's Chocolonely. Arjen helped take Tony's from 4 people in an empty room to a global chocolate success story. He discusses the big issues in cocoa and compares social enterprises to companies that aren't making the tough choices to put people and planet first.

Social entrepreneurs Susi and Henry together with team member Dilani of Rice and Carry in Colombo, Sri Lanka share their upcycling and recycling stories. They also tell their inspiring story on their journey as a social enterprise operating in the rural community of Sri Lanka.

Andrea is a sustainable fashion entrepreneur, fashion lecturer, advocate and chair of the New York City Fair Trade Coalition. Her journey started in New York's fashion industry, took her to Uganda and through to social enterprise and Fair Trade. She tells her story and reflects on the future of sustainable fashion.

Part two of this podcast focuses on Ten Thousand Villages. Erinch and Llenay discuss how the organization, established in the 1940s, has grown to show resilience and adapt to the changing market.

Llenay is the acting CEO of Ten Thousand Villages, an importer and retail network in the US. She shares the long and proud history of Ten Thousand Villages, and her story of helping grow the maker-to-market movement in the US and North America. She gives insights on bringing ethical products to the US market and telling the story of the makers to the consumers.

Ffion Storer Jones of the Fair Trade Advocacy Office sat down with Linda McAvan MEP ahead of World Fair Trade Day to talk about her work supporting Fair Trade over her 20 years as an MEP and how she encourages us all to take action in support of Fair Trade.

Safia Minney is the founder of People Tree, author, activist and serial social entrepreneur. She explores the vision required for an economy that avoids ecological collapse. This is about populating our economies with business models that put people and planet first, such as social enterprises that practice Fair Trade. This week, Safia has joined business leaders to call for an urgent redesign of global industry and why she is voicing support for Extinction Rebellion (more here: www.safia-minney.com). You won't want to miss Safia's insights on how we tackle the big issues of our age.

She's a designer, campaigner, entrepreneur and founder of Fashion Revolution. Orsola de Castro talks about what's broken in fashion, and how we need to fix it. Is sustainability just a passing trend? How do we tackle accelerated disposal and mass extinction of artisanal crafts? How can we diversify from the mono-culture of corporate fashion and regain dignity in fashion jobs? Orsola takes on the big questions with clarity. Happy Fashion Revolution Week!

Social enterprise in India - the story of an Indian social entrepreneur building enthusiasm with local consumers. Erinch speaks with Matthew John, founder of Last Forest, a social enterprise bringing together organic, Fair Trade and producer ownership into a single business model.

This is the story of Asha Handicrafts (India) and Oasis Transformations (Bangladesh). Two social entrepreneurs from these Fair Trade Enterprises talk about their journey in the global market. They explore what makes a business mission-led and how to pursue social and commercial goals in unison. It’s a period of transition for many social enterprises in Asia and Helena and Rajesh discuss how they’re dealing with change.

This episode presents AvocadoStore, the online ethical marketplace making waves in Europe. It set out to be the green and ethical alternative to Amazon and now has over quarter of a million shoppers and growing. Its managing director Mimi Sewalski is one of the founders of the online market. AvocadoStore connects eco and ethical consumers with brands. Mimi shares with Erinch her top tips to engage the growing ethical consumer base, marketing online and making products visible on online platforms. Mimi will also be joining the global Fair Trade community at the Lima Summit 17-18 September to celebrate the 30th birthday of the WFTO.

Eve Broadis, a pioneer of Fair Trade and social business in Scotland, shares her story. She talks about working with women only supply chain for their World Fair Trade Tartan and sourcing from Mzuzu Coffee Farmers Coop, a Fairtrade certified coffee producer, for their guaranteed and certified Fair Trade coffee line. Eve’s enterprise embodies 100% commitment to Fair Trade Principles, putting people and the planet first!

Bethlehem founded Entoto Beth in Ethiopia as a social enterprise. Today, her enterprise gives opportunities for 200 women in marginalised communities. She upcycles bullet-casings and has adopted Fair Trade to create jewellery and bags for global markets.

Allison Havens founded Yabal Handicrafts in Guatamala to keep alive indigenous weaving techniques and create livelihoods for local women. Today, the women producers are becoming the main income earners in their family and challenging gender norms. Her story unpacks what it means to truly prioritise local producers over increasing profits - getting to the heart of what makes an enterprise mission-led.

Sri Lanka's burgeoning social enterprise sector - Selyna and Amanda tell the story of this grassroots community. In this podcast, Erinch speaks with Fair Trade Enterprise Selyn, and soon to be WFTO member Good Market, who are developing a broader social enterprise movement against all odds.