Organisations join forces to enable more cooperatives and their members to realise sustainable livelihoods

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Fairtrade International and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) have signed a joint partnership declaration to drive greater inclusion and sustainability of cooperatives.

The declaration was signed by Melissa Duncan, executive director of Fairtrade International, and Jeroen Douglas, the director general of ICA.

According to the groups, the declaration ”solidified the organisations’ commitment to work together to advance the principles of democracy, empowerment, economic prosperity and distribution, and the convergence of economic, social, and environmental components of development”. 

The announcement was made during ICA’s general assembly, held in New Delhi, India this week.

“We’re excited to launch this partnership with ICA as we embark on this shared opportunity to leverage our strengths and work together to build strong cooperatives that achieve better, fairer, and more dignified labour relations,” said Duncan.

”Successful cooperatives are the lifeblood of Fairtrade and essential for sustainable global trade.”

Douglas noted that the declaration cemented the joint efforts towards creating impactful change for cooperatives worldwide.

“Together, ICA and Fairtrade International will drive forward initiatives that support cooperatives in their sustainable business case though fair pricing,” he said.

”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.”

Fairtrade International and ICA, both EU Financial Framework Partnership Agencies, said they had had a fruitful collaboration in the past on policy influencing, evidence gathering research, and the sharing of best practices focusing on the management of sustainable supply chains and people-centred business models.

Advocacy work on cooperatives’ priorities include the EU Deforestation Regulation and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence directive.

ICA and Fairtrade are also both members of the EU’s Global Gateway Dialogue Platform.

The organisations noted that the partnership agreement would facilitate closer co-operation on emerging areas of expertise needed, such as cooperative legal frameworks, agroecology, climate change, youth inclusion, gender equality, among others.

”It will contribute to strengthen both organisations’ work on promoting inclusive and sustainable cooperatives and their communities through wealth creation and redistribution, democracy, empowerment,” they stated.

“It will also advance efforts towards an ever-increasing convergence between the economic, social, and environmental components of development.

”Under the flagship of the UN International Year of Cooperatives, this partnership is expected to enable more cooperatives and their members to realise sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential, and decide on their future, given the growing risks and challenges they face,” they added.