Partnerships

Working for a Better World

For more than 30 years, the World Fair Trade Organization has empowered a more positive workplace.

The 10 Principles of Fair Trade

The WFTO’s 10 Principles of Fair Trade specify the ways that Fair Trade enterprises are set up and behave to ensure they put people and planet first. The WFTO carries out verification and monitoring to ensure these principles are upheld.

Create Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers.

Transparency and Accountability: A WFTO-certified organization must be transparent in its management and commercial relations.

Fair Trading Practices: The organization trades with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and does not maximize profit at their expense.

Fair Payment: A fair payment is one that has been mutually negotiated and agreed by all through on-going dialogue and participation.

Ensuring no Child Labor and Forced Labor.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination, Gender Equity and Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Freedom of Association.

Ensuring Good Working Conditions.

Providing Capacity Building: The business or organization develops the skills and capabilities of its own employees or members to help them improve their management skills, production capabilities and access to markets.

Promoting Fair Trade. The organisation raises awareness of the aim of Fair Trade and of the need for greater justice in world trade through Fair Trade.

Respect for the Environment.

The 10 Principles of Fair Trade

Create Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers.

Transparency and Accountability: A WFTO-certified organization must be transparent in its management and commercial relations.

Fair Trading Practices: The organization trades with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and does not maximize profit at their expense.

Fair Payment: A fair payment is one that has been mutually negotiated and agreed by all through on-going dialogue and participation.

Ensuring no Child Labor and Forced Labor.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination, Gender Equity and Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Freedom of Association.

Ensuring Good Working Conditions.

Promoting Fair Trade. The organisation raises awareness of the aim of Fair Trade and of the need for greater justice in world trade through Fair Trade.

Respect for the Environment.

When you’re striving to effect wide-spread, positive change, you can’t go it alone. You need partners. Which is why Powered by People is thrilled to be aligning itself with the World Fair Trade Organization.

Founded in 1989, this international organization comprises over a million small-scale producers and workers in more than 75 countries. Think of the WFTO as a governing body, one that establishes fair-trade guidelines and works tirelessly to certify businesses and organizations that adhere to these strictures.

The WFTO’s Guarantee System assesses the entirety of a business, not just a specific product, ingredient or work environment. It includes an assessment of an enterprise’s structure and business model, its operations and its supply chains.

The WFTO sums up these aims in 10 principles (see below), agreed upon by the main international Fair Trade networks—WFTO, Fairtrade International and European Fair Trade Association. They cover everything from the guarantee of fair pay and good working conditions to the commitment of helping workers and small businesses develop the skills and tools necessary to ensure growth.

Currently, 9 makers in the PBP community proudly carry the WFTO seal, ranging from a fellowship of women basket weavers in Eswatini to a ceramics studio in Nepal. You can source their products and support their efforts here, while we work to welcome even more Fair Trade brands to our growing platform.

Shop WFTO makers on Powered by People

The 10 Principles of Fair Trade

Create Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers.

Transparency and Accountability: A WFTO-certified organization must be transparent in its management and commercial relations.

Fair Trading Practices: The organization trades with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and does not maximize profit at their expense.

Fair Payment: A fair payment is one that has been mutually negotiated and agreed by all through on-going dialogue and participation.

Ensuring no Child Labor and Forced Labor.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination, Gender Equity and Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Freedom of Association.

Ensuring Good Working Conditions.

Promoting Fair Trade. The organisation raises awareness of the aim of Fair Trade and of the need for greater justice in world trade through Fair Trade.

Respect for the Environment.