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Fair Trade Egypt ltd.
Past & Present
Fair Trade Egypt ltd was born in 1998 through an initiative from NSCE (North South Consultant Exchange), a consultancy firm working in the field of sustainable development, and COSPE (Cooperzione per lo Sviluppo dei Paesi Emergenti), an Italian NGO working with the Italian Cooperation under the umbrella of the EU Department of Foreign Affairs, with matters related to international solidarity. The main long-term goal of the projects, which were developed throughout this initiative, is to alleviate poverty in the marginalized areas of Egypt.
We aim to provide an opportunity for marginalized Egyptian communities to offer their handicrafts to greater markets, through the revitalization of their traditional craft techniques, and through the practice of Fair Trade. Crafts such as: Weaving in Akhmim-Upper Egypt, which during the times of the pharaohs was the weaving capital of Egypt -- Embroidery with Berber/Bedouin/Upper Egyptian motifs, which are traditional to 3 regions in Egypt, that are both distinct in design and are a true sign of the many ancient cultures within Egypt – Basketry by both Nubian women and village women in Fayoum – Terracotta Pottery from Fayoum, which has been making pottery since the times of the pharaohs and many more. As of 2008 FTE ltd works with 37 producer groups, that translates into around 2,700 Egyptian craft artisans that are currently being supported by Fair Trade in Egypt and are able to sustain crafts that were taught to them by their forefathers.
Method/Approach
In order to carry out this important revitalization mission, a large range of capacity building and trading support services are supplied on a regular basis to the 37 producer groups working under the umbrella of FTE ltd. The producer groups that are targeted are those which have been seriously affected by mass-production and globalization, and which are marginalized in one way or another. Past interventions that were implemented included: technical assistance, the supply of needed tools and equipments, and trainings on different aspects of business. These business trainings include: quality control, product development, management in general, and marketing. There are also trainings that aim to enhance the living conditions of the producers' communities such as: solid waste management, reproductive health, and working conditions-related trainings. This was all made possible through FTE's partnering with organizations and projects that make financing these trainings/missions possible. Thanks to the efforts which were exerted in this direction, more than 1,000 of the producer organizations’ handicrafts are now available in FTE ltd’s Cairo store, and a link was established between the producers and different international partners, namely through exports. As of 2008 our exports have reached 11 countries, including: Germany, USA, Netherlands, France & Italy. Finally, different awareness-building activities are realized so as to promote the philosophy and practice of Fair Trade as a contemporary approach to development.
For more details on how Fair Trade has helped individual producers check out our Artisans page.
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