Fairtrade International has launched the “Fairtrade Producer Relief Fund” and announced the establishment of a “Fairtrade Producer Resilience Fund” in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Fairtrade Producer Resilience Fund is intended to support longer-term economic interventions, such as business restoration, technology-based capacity building, addressing human rights risks in value chains through programmatic interventions, support for strengthening finances to tackle future risks and advocacy among others.
The two funding mechanisms, with initial investments of €3.1 million are intended to meet immediate needs of farmers, workers and their communities, while also establishing a foundation for longer-term economic recovery efforts.
The monies from both the Fairtrade Producer Relief Fund and Fairtrade Producer Resilience Funds will be allocated proportionally to the three regional Fairtrade Producer Networks.
The Producer Networks will, in turn, administer and manage the distribution, monitoring and impact of the funds to Fairtrade certified producer organisations on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis.
Darío Soto Abril, CEO of Fairtrade International said during the launch on World Fair Trade Day last sunday that “As a system, Fairtrade works every day to change trade so that farmers and workers can earn decent livelihoods” and want to do more in times of crisis, to ensure the health, safety and future of those who work so hard to supply us with the products we love”.
He noted that these funds are not enough to meet all the needs of every producer affected by the pandemic, hence Fairtrade International’s commitment to continue looking for additional funding sources within the system, as well as with partners.”
The Fairtrade Producer Relief Fund initially makes €2.1 million available to Fairtrade certified producer organizations for urgently needed investment in safety and livelihoods which relief initiatives include purchase of masks and basic protective and medical equipment, temporary payment of wages for suspended workers, setting up local food security initiatives, raising awareness of safety precautions, building emergency medical facilities and business continuity costs among others.
The Fairtrade Producer Resilience Fund, currently funded at €1,000,000 by members of the Fairtrade system, is being established to meet the longer-term needs of producers as they begin to look at life after COVID-19.
The fund has been established through contributions by National Fairtrade organizations mobilized themselves to support their members and communities to distribute food and hygiene packages to the elderly in their community.
Meanwhile, Fairtrade has called for contributions to the Producer Resilience Fund from retailers, businesses, non-governmental organisations and government agencies.
The post Fairtrade International Launches €3.1 Million “Fairtrade Producer Relief Fund” appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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