Who we are
Fair trade is our strength
Solidaridad is an initiator and driving force behind Fair Trade, and an active player in organic agriculture. Solidaridad is intensively involved in CSR models such as Utz Certified, Social Accountability International (SAI) and the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), and is active in Round Tables for responsible soy and sustainable biofuels.
Solidaridad is a pioneer, developer and innovator in the field of fair trade. We believe that sustainable economic development is the best solution to structural poverty in developing countries. And it’s meeting with more and more success. Companies are taking more and more responsibility for the social impact of their business. Consumers are becoming more critical about where their purchases come from and the conditions under which they were produced. And our partners in developing countries are becoming more and more skilled in producing and trading in quality products. Solidaridad is working with companies, consumers and producers in developing countries to develop people-friendly and environment-friendly production chains. This all adds up in our model of sustainable development: the pyramid of change.
Solidaridad has formulated its strategy for change within the production chains in the ‘pyramid of change’. In the top consumer labels give consumers a chance to opt for sustainable products. As models of innovation, labels are contributing to setting the agenda by being the first to draw attention to social injustices and environmental issues. In the centre of the pyramid, models of corporate social responsibility (CSR) come into being. Companies take responsibility for the origin of their current range. Companies assume their customers value CSR and that this will increase consumer loyalty. At the base of the pyramid we find Round Tables or industrial platforms in which an entire branch accepts a sector-wide code of conduct with minimal sustainability criteria as the conditions for production and trade.
The pyramid clearly shows the dynamics and synergy of all models. The relevant question is how to create an upward momentum in the pyramid, so that the base is raised to a higher level?
Trade and politics are important
Development cooperation is important, but the effect of international trade and politics on poor countries is much bigger. That’s why Solidaridad involves companies, consumers and politicians in its fair trade activities. Together, they can achieve much more than development aid can by itself.
Successful known brands
In 1988, Solidaridad initiated Max Havelaar coffee. Tea and cocoa followed. In 1996 we introduced the Oké banana, and at the turn of this century we established Kuyichi jeans. Corporate social responsibility is developing at a fast rate. Solidaridad is building on this with UTZ CERTIFIED, the sustainable label for ingredients such as coffee, cocoa, tea, palm oil and soy. MADE-BY, the label for clean clothes introduced in 2004, is another of Solidaridad’s initiatives. A lot of large and small companies all over the world are now working with Solidaridad on sustainable chain development.
People first
Solidaridad bases its work on the belief that everybody has the right to live a life without poverty. Many poor people in developing countries are excluded from participation in the economy and have no chance of a decent existence. This is due to inequitable social and economic power relations. Solidaridad works together with local partners to achieve equal rights and opportunities for all. This means putting people first and making their own social-economic, cultural and religious identity the starting point for a process of change.
