Hourani Building, Saint Elie Street
Hazmieh
Lebanon
- Environment/Sustainable development
- International/Cultural relations
- Others
FTL aims to support small local agro-food producers in Lebanon through job creation and economic empowerment. FTL has developed long-term relationships with more than forty groups of producers all over Lebanon and its action benefits today to more than 4,000 individuals (farmers and small producers). FTL support small producers through the creation of sustainable income generating activities. Fair Trade Lebanon’s main field of intervention is the agro-food sector. FTL designs projects to improve the livelihood of vulnerable communities, mainly women, especially in rural areas. FTL’s main objective is to help women, men and youth stay in their villages, invest in their lands, and get access to local and international markets to sell their products. FTL has a focus on the values of Fair Trade such as ethical behavior, transparency and fairness.
FTL outreaches to consumers and political actors to endorse Fair Trade by encouraging the purchase of Fair Trade goods, by promoting Fair Trade in social circles, and via various advocacy efforts aimed at developing public policies to protect and support small producers.
FTL has worked all over Lebanon, last projects were implemented in Akkar (support to vegetables value chains), Mount Lebanon (Food for Training with women cooeprtaives and vulnerable women) and Bekaa (support to cherry and apricot Value Chains). Through its projects, FTL implements the following main activities:
-Support to agricultural and processing cooperatives: Value Chain Studies, Providing techncal and soft skills trainings, Supply of equipment, Branding and Labeling, Certification, Improved access the market
- Support to vulnerable population: Providing vocational training, Providing job opportunities through internship programs
-Awareness raising: Organization of events and participation to promotional events for producers, Intervention in schools, high schools and universities, Training of trainers, Organization of fair touristic tours for foreigners.
-Advocacy: Establishment of Fair Trade Towns, Promotion of the International Fair Trade Charter in Lebanon, Celebration of the annual World Fair Trade Day.
Fair Trade Lebanon is part of the World Fair Trade Organization and has many connection in the world of fair trade, with producers, international organization, certification bodies and retailers in Lebanon and abroad, including Europe. Thanks to this already build network, FTL can facilitate new links between partners part of the ALF Network in Lebanon. In addition, FTL wishes to participate in the events to share its experience in the field of fair trade.
One of FTL's objectives is to promote Lebanese food products and heritage as well as fair trade principles in Lebanon and internationaly. By joining the ALF Network, FTL wishes to share its experience on fair trade and local food heritage and learn from the experience of other partners to be better support producers in Lebanon and protect their cultural heritage.