World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) - Europe

✨ Internship Opportunities! ✨ We are looking for passionate interns to join our team in two key areas: Communication & Advocacy and Project Management & Fundraising. If you're interested in making a difference and gaining valuable experience, check out the details on our website! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dBSQkyn #Internship #JobPosting #Communication #Advocacy #ProjectManagement #Fundraising #WFTO

❗ International Day for the Eradication of Poverty❗ Poverty is not just the lack of money—it’s about the lack of opportunities, access to education, healthcare, and the chance to live with dignity. It's a complex issue rooted in inequality, social exclusion, and lack of voice. Today serves as a powerful reminder to raise awareness, reflect on inequalities, and, most importantly, take action. Each of us has a role to play, whether through our work, communities, or daily interactions. Here are a few ways you can make a difference today: - Support Local Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with local charities and NGOs that focus on fighting poverty and social exclusion. - Encourage Ethical Business Practices: Advocate for fair wages, decent working conditions, and support organizations that prioritize human rights in their supply chains. - Educate Yourself and Others: Learn more about the structural causes of poverty and share this knowledge. Awareness leads to empathy, which is a key driver of change. - Engage in Small Acts: Even small gestures, like donating food or clothing, offering your time, or mentoring someone, can have a ripple effect. Let’s work toward a future where everyone has access to opportunities, and no one is left behind. #EndPoverty #PovertyEradicationDay

Food served in schools and universities can make an important contribution to fulfilling the basic #RightToFood. Join us this #WorldFoodDay and raise awareness by signing our petition calling for #foodeducation and healthy #schoolmeals in every school. https://lnkd.in/eWDTeWnP

Food brings us together. It is a universal principle of life that we should all have access to enough, nutritious, diverse, affordable and safe foods. Every day, for everyone, everywhere. #WorldFoodDay #RightToFood

Why does #FairPayment matter? ⚖️ In today's global economy, earning a wage doesn’t always guarantee a life free from poverty. In fact, according to CNV International, 8% of workers worldwide live in extreme poverty despite being employed. This stark reality highlights the need for a system that ensures wages are not just minimum, but fair—allowing individuals and families to thrive without resorting to exploitative work conditions or excessive hours. That's why WFTO has developed the #FairPaymentSystem. WFTO-Guaranteed members commit to paying #FairWages and prices that are set and agreed upon through a process that includes dialogue, negotiation, and the use of the 3 WFTO Fair Payment tools: 🖩 Local Living Wage Calculator - our tool that is used to calculate the cost of living, and directly references the reality of WFTO Members and producers rather than outside sources. 🪜 Local Living Wage Ladder - this tool helps members compare their calculated living wage with a number of benchmarks set both internally and by other organisations. 👁️ Local Context Notes - this tool identifies local circumstances (such as regional unemployment, housing, politics…) that may affect businesses and allows external parties to understand the reality of members on the ground. Our Fair Payment system reflects WFTO's #HolisticApproach, focusing not on products, but on businesses that set up transparent, ethical, and sustainable processes 🌳 We aim to create a future where the statistics are just, and people are paid what they deserve. Ready to join the #BusinessRevolution and be part of the #NewEconomy? Find out more at wfto.com 🌍 Photo credit: Gino Girolomoni Cooperativa Agricola #FairTrade #FairTradeEnterprise #FairTradeGuaranteeSystem #SocialImpact #BusinessRevolution #LivingWage #SustainableDevelopment

📢 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the establishment of the #AfricaEUCSPlatform! Led by and for civil society, this co-created, inclusive and independent alliance advocates for change in the #AUEUPartnership, putting those most affected by our shared challenges at the centre 🤲 The #AfricaEUCSPlatform looks at key areas impacting both regions: 1️⃣ Food Systems & Economic Development 2️⃣ Governance, Peace & Security 3️⃣ Health & Education 4️⃣ Climate & Energy Transition 5️⃣ Youth, Women & Children Together, we’re driving inclusive change to the #AUEUPartnership! Curious about the platform? Check out this timeline highlighting key milestones in strengthening civil society's role in #AUEUPartnership! 🌐 🤝 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/evaVb4bE

🌍 Who Benefits from the Global Gateway? 🌍 Yesterday's event revolved around the Global Gateway initiative, raising crucial questions about transparency, accountability, and who truly benefits from this strategy. The joint report presented by Alexandra Gerasimcikova from Counter Balance and Farwa Sial from Eurodad - the European Network on Debt and Development revealed some concerning findings regarding the concentration of benefits among a few large corporations, primarily from Europe, while local businesses and stakeholders in the Global South often find themselves sidelined. Other concerns included the risk of negative impacts on human rights and the environment, as well as the lack of transparency in the implementation of the initiatives. Civil society in the Global South is being excluded from the conversation. As Martha Sanchez highlighted, it is essential for these discussions to take place within the Global South, where the impacts are most directly felt. Paul Okumu warned that "What we are doing is dividing the African continent," pointing out that most companies operating in Africa are multinationals. His remarks align with the report’s findings, which emphasize that the Global Gateway primarily serves the EU’s commercial and geopolitical interests. This was followed by a significant exchange with Marlene Holzner, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Department for International Partnerships, who defended the EU’s development approach, asserting that grant-based aid alone has not been effective in lifting countries out of poverty. According to her, GG represents a new approach focused on infrastructure, production, and education to build sustainable and inclusive economies. In the end, we all agreed on one conclusion: to achieve true development, we need a more inclusive and transparent approach. #GlobalGateway #DevelopmentCooperation #EU #GlobalSouth #SustainableDevelopment #FairTrade #EuCommission #EuropeanCommission

🌍PROMOTING HEALTHY DIETS THROUGH SCHOOL MEALS🍽️ On September 27th, we attended the InfoPoint conference, where the transformative power of school meals in improving health, education, and community well-being was highlighted. The discussions focused on sustainable practices that can shape healthier futures for children and their communities. 📋Key insights included: 🌱 The integration of school meal programs with local and healthy food sourcing, ensuring that students receive nutritious meals while supporting local farmers and producers, creating a direct link between sustainable agriculture and child development. 📊 School meals not only improve health but also boost educational outcomes, helping children concentrate and perform better in school, while fostering long-term healthy eating habits. 🤝 Collaboration across sectors is essential: governments, schools, and local communities must work together to ensure these programs are sustainable and resilient. This approach aligns with WFTO Europe's mission to promote fair trade and sustainability, ensuring that local farmers benefit from responsible sourcing while children gain access to healthy, nutritious food. By integrating fair trade principles, we can help create systems that are fairer for both people and the planet. #FairTrade #SchoolMeals #Sustainability #WFTOEurope

I’m excited for an inspiring session on how Fair Trade and Circular Economy practices can benefit food businesses. I’ll exchange with other experts on how cities can support businesses in this to contribute to healthy, resilient food systems. Join us on 17th September at 10:30 SAST/CEST – perhaps you, too, have an interesting perspective to share on this? Register here: https://lnkd.in/dNxVzHCa #fairtrade #circulareconomy #foodsystem #food #urban

I’m excited for an inspiring session on how Fair Trade and Circular Economy practices can benefit food businesses. I’ll exchange with other experts on how cities can support businesses in this to contribute to healthy, resilient food systems. Join us on 17th September at 10:30 SAST/CEST – perhaps you, too, have an interesting perspective to share on this? Register here: https://lnkd.in/dNxVzHCa #fairtrade #circulareconomy #foodsystem #food #urban