Each time a person or parish buys crafts, chocolate or crafts from a CRS Fair Trade partner, a contribution is made to our Fair Trade Fund.  Twice a year through a competitive process, the fund makes both “on-the-ground” grants to producers and “in the marketplace” grants to organizers in the United States.  These resources are used to foster fair and sustainable economic justice initiatives.

Photo by Michelle Frankfurter for CRS

New market access

Working with Frente Democratico Campesino de Chihuaha (FDC), CRS-Mexico was awarded $25,000 to develop a capacity building and marketing plan to support blue corn and apples farmers access Hispanic, whole foods and border markets in the United States.  In order to implement the plan, FDC and two of its member cooperatives, will work with a U.S. based wholesaler, Sunny Valley Organics, to gain food safety and organic certification, as well as develop product labeling and marketing infrastructure.  By the end of the year-long grant, up to 70 farmers will be prepared to a begin entry into the U.S. market.

Environmentally friendly trade

Long-time crafts partner, SERRV, with the sponsorship of CRS-Ecuador, received $4,500 to conduct a natural dye workshop with partners Camari, MCCH and Sinchi Sacha.  The aim of the five-day training is to help producers effectively meet market demand for environmentally friendly products.  With increased international sales, much needed income will be brought into the families of 20 artisans in Ecuador.

Creating new commerical connections

Marketplace: Handwork of India received $3,650 to expand the wholesale customer base for a new line of organic knit products developed through a previous CRS Fair Trade Fund grant.  Both electronic media and a sample book will be constructed to demonstrate the skills and capabilities of artisans.  The grant will help take the knit project to the next level by introducing the work of the artisans to buyers in larger companies for purchase in 2010.

Youth, technology and culture

Long-time CRS partner, Fair Trade Resource Network, received $15,000 for its “Youth United Across Borders” project which will expand on a traditional pen-pal exchange model by pairing six US-based youth groups with six producer groups overseas.  Approximately 360 youth will build cross-cultural connections and help create print and electronic media, including a photo exhibit, to share information about their home communities and the positive impacts of Fair Trade.

Spreading the Word

The Diocese of Arlington Virginia, sponsored by CRS-Northeast, was awarded $9,700 to train at least 10 youth Fair Trade Ambassadors and to encourage parishes and diverse Catholic community organizations to host Fair Trade sales.  In the short-term, the youth will take the message of Fair Trade to their peers and parishes and become long-term supporters of Fair Trade.   The diocesan communities will have the opportunity to make connections between economic development around the world and community vibrancy here in the United States.

Campus activism

Through the sponsorship of CRS-Midwest, the Fr. Herman Center for Peace and Justice at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa received $5,200 to develop a two year plan of Fair Trade activism on campus.  The plan, including specific activities for the 2009-2010 academic year, will focus on awareness building, education and creation of a Fair Trade “university”.

Making the Case for Fair Trade

CRS is providing long-time partner, Fair Trade Federation, $3,500 for web-development and communication strategies to promote case studies of the positive impacts of Fair Trade in producer countries.

In total, the CRS Fair Trade Fund is leveraging $66,500 to build the capacity of the movement.  These grant are made possible by your support of our partners.   Individual donations to the Fund can be made on-line.   On behalf of the grantees and our program, we thank you!