flo - fairtrade labelling organizations international

Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO) International is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder association involving 23 member organizations, traders and external experts. The member organizations consist of 20 Labelling Initiatives, of which Max Havelaar is the best known, and three Producer Networks.

FLO International is part of a worldwide network of fair trade organizations actively engaged in supporting workers, raising the awareness for fair payment, and campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of international trade (www.fairtrade.net).

helvetas

Since the late 1990’s, Reinhart has promoted international organic projects under the standards of COCERT. Reinhart has partnered with the private development organization Helvetas (www.helvetas.ch and www.organic-cotton.ch). Helvetas supports the institutional aspects of the project, such as farmers’ associations, and production methods. Helvetas also arranges partnerships, in which purchase guarantees for production are given by private partners in the textile industry.

Reinhart brings its expertise in administration, logistics, finance, and the selling process. In Burkina Faso, Reinhart also shares its knowledge of the ginning process. The partners believe that cooperative projects benefit the producers in many ways, including debt reduction, increased social benefits to local communities, and the reduction or elimination of pollution risks and of physical exposure to toxic products. Organic production is also more attractive to women, increasing their economic freedom and encouraging social equality within the community.

cotton made in africa (CmiA)

The project “Cotton made in Africa” has the ambitious goal of establishing demand among retail companies for African cotton. More than 100’000 small-scale farmers and their families will be trained in environmentally favorable growing techniques for cotton. Secure incomes and better growing practice will significantly improve the conditions of life for cotton growers and their families (www.cottonmadeinafrica.org).

sekem

In Egypt, Reinhart has established a close cooperation with Sekem (www.sekem.com), one of the largets Egyptian organic and fair-trade organizations. Sekem is a non-profit organization which produces a large variety of organic and fair-trade labeled agricultural products. The group is also heavily involved in processing these products in to semi-manufactured and manufactured goods under its own labels. Sekem was founded in 1977 by Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish, who in 2003 received the Right Livelihood Award (aka Alternative Nobel Prize). Since 2007, Sekem and Reinhart have worked on a project aimed at substantially increasing the acreage planted with organic Egyptian extra-fine cottons over the next five years.