International Cooperative Alliance and Fairtrade International partner to advance Sustainable Development and cooperative empowerment

28 November 2024

Source: International Cooperative Alliance

The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and Fairtrade International have announced a new Joint Partnership Declaration, marking a commitment to deepen their collaboration in support of the cooperative model and Fairtrade worldwide.

The declaration underscores the shared mission of both organisations to uplift small-scale farmers, producers, and cooperative networks through joint efforts in advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and support for resilient, people-centred businesses. Areas of cooperation include promoting sustainable economic growth, enhancing producer engagement, and advancing key issues like climate resilience, youth and gender inclusion, as well as human rights.

Key initiatives under this partnership include:

• Joint advocacy efforts with European institutions and engagement with the global cooperative and Fairtrade communities.
• Collaborative knowledge exchange, capacity building, and support for cooperative legal frameworks to bolster resilience within global supply chains.
• Coordinated efforts to raise awareness around the UN International Year of Cooperatives in 2025 and the annual International Day of Cooperatives.

‘This declaration cements our joint efforts towards creating impactful change for cooperatives worldwide,” said Jeroen Douglas, Director General of ICA. “Together, ICA and Fairtrade International will drive forward initiatives that support cooperatives in their sustainable business case through fair pricing. Only a price tag on fair wages, clean water, gender inclusion and the pure air we breathe will transform our economy to the needs of communities.’

“Cooperatives are important to Fairtrade and Fairtrade is important to cooperatives,” said Tone Faugli, CEO fairtrade Norway, Tone Cecilie Faugli, the CEO of Fairtrade Norway, who is attending the ICA Global Conference in New Delhi, India. “As Fairtrade we have a role to play connecting consumers and cooperatives and I think we can achieve more together,” she added.

This declaration represents a non-binding agreement that will serve as a framework for joint planning. It will be revisited in four years to evaluate progress and determine further steps.