The
Producer Fund
There’s just one week left to donate…
Traidcraft has closed and others are struggling. The world of ethical trade is under threat. One group of people stand to lose out: the most marginalised producers.
The Producer Fund will act quickly to put power back in their hands so they can face an uncertain future with confidence.
Whether it’s training, equipment, product development or access to new markets, together we can respond to the needs of these small businesses doing amazing work. With your help, they can continue to change lives.
Meet the Producers
These are just some of the inspirational groups that the Producer Fund will move quickly to support.
Sadhna
Sadhna is a women led, artisan owned business training Indian artisans from disadvantaged backgrounds in handicraft production.
“My children were very small when I joined. Now my daughter is married and my son studies at a postgraduate level. This is all possible because of Sadhna. Success for me is raising my kids alone after my husband died and giving them their education.” - Kanta Devi, Sadhna
Meru Herbs
Meru Herbs, in Kenya, sells organic teas, jams, and pesto sauces, supporting more than 258 farmers. Its largest export market is the UK, and Traidcraft was its largest buyer. The managing director of Meru, Sally Sawaya, said
“Everyone has a voice within the business and all the leaders are women – we promote from within and give career opportunities which breathe life and ambition into this community.”
Prokritee is a fair trade company in Bangladesh, supporting over 1,500 artisans in rural areas and using renewable sources of materials such as recycled saris to produce crafts and cards. Their work is gradually changing not just the lives of individuals, but the attitudes of whole communities. Swapan from Prokritee explains more…
“Girls are now taking education and getting jobs in the city working sideby-side with men and making a huge contribution to this nation. But we needed someone to come and open people’s eyes and Traidcraft were one of those ‘people’– it needed to start somewhere and now it’s coming up as a success for all of us.”
They already have plans for the grant they are applying for from the Producer Fund:
“We could put a grant to good use to strengthen the business – for instance to buy papermaking machines – power backup systems, treatment plants. One of our production units used to make handmade products but now market is slow we could use a grant to set up the unit to make jute bags instead – would need to buy sewing and cutting machines for that.”
Prokritee
Kazi Yetu
Kazi Yetu means ‘our work’ in Swahili - and is an apt name for a social enterprise based in Tanzania and Germany that creates a range of tea products that are ethically sourced, traceable, and produced in a solar-powered factory in Dar es Salaam.
”We’re doing things differently and going against the grain. We promote value addition at the farm level. We blend, pack and process right here in Tanzania keeping revenue in the country. It means producers get a better price and we can grow manufacturing skills and opportunities.”
- Tahira Nizari, Founder and Director
Back in 2018, when Traidcraft first downsized, we supported 33 producer groups with finding new markets, upskilling workers, and product development.
Tara Projects, for example, used a grant from Transform Trade to provide training for more than 60 vulnerable young women.
We’ve done this before
They told us…
“The support provided has improved their skills to learn to stitch the dresses for themselves and for the local market. Many of the young women are earning some income by working for the women in the area as well as for the local market.”
How it works
100% of your donations to the Producer Fund will be used to support producers in countries like India, Kenya and Bangladesh. Here’s what that includes…
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Direct Grants
This fund is about investing directly in producer groups helping them to support the most marginalised artisans, growers and makers. Grants may fund things like equipment, training, product development - but it will always be led by the needs of producers themselves.
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Partnership
We will stand alongside producer groups, offering advice, mentoring, network building and coaching. We’ll connect them with like-minded organisations and work alongside them to help their plans succeed.
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A transformed system
Working alongside producer groups and social movements across the world, we will advocate and campaign for a fairer system that makes it easier to run an ethical, people-centred business and harder to profit from bad practice.