News and publications

Fairtrade Belgium

January 7th 2015

When shopping for a fair product, you will usually look for the Fairtrade label. The trade and development organisation behind this blue and green label, ‘Max Havelaar Belgium’, has been around for 25 years. The organisation recently renamed itself into ‘Fairtrade Belgium’. The ‘Trade, not aid’ baseline has not changed though. Still, the organisation has recently broken new ground by launching South–South trade and the Fairtrade Sourcing Program.

Clarysse: 4 million fair-trade towels

January 2nd 2015

Jules Clarysse started producing bath textiles on a very small scale more than 70 years ago. With an annual production of 20 million bath towels, 20% of which will be fair trade by 2014, Clarysse NV is today the market leader in Europe. Even during the crisis, Clarysse has continued to invest in sustainability.

Belgian Fair Trade Federation: united we stand, united we fall

November 28th 2014

The Belgian Fair Trade Federation (BFTF) defines itself as the Belgian platform for fair trade. Brought to the baptismal font in 2010 after two years of gestation, it brings together 13 full members and 4 observer members.

Ana Edelsmid: Fair Trade Gold Jewellery

November 21st 2014

Located in the heart of the wooded environment of Heusden-Zolder, Ana Kindermans designs in her workshop jewellery made of fair trade gold. Ana is a pioneer: she is the first Belgian designer to have opted for fair trade gold.

Wild-collected botanicals and the EU market

November 17th 2014

The TDC carried out a market study on wild-sourced botanicals and the EU market, thus anticipating the growing opportunities for these products in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. In this context, the study focuses on wild-collected medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) which have a potential for livelihoods enhancement and conservation action. Moreover, these species are assessed in terms of sustainable trade.

Joker: sustainability is no longer the preserve of hippies

November 14th 2014

Joker and Anders Reizen’s offer consists of sustainable trips with a healthy dose of adventure for young and old. The social responsibility aspect is handled by the subsidiaries ViaVia Tourism Academy and Karavaan. Greet Huybrechts, the sustainability coordinator, has witnessed the transformation of Joker into a tour operator with nine branches in Flanders, proudly bearing a Travelife certificate.

My dream: a network of wereldcafés throughout Flanders

November 7th 2014

While sipping a Mongozo, a small African fair-trade banana beer, Peter Raymaekers lifts a corner of the veil on the guiding principles of Wereldcafé Leuven, a unique concept that has in fact been in existence for ten years already. The secret of this success? The surprising alliance between a company in the form of a cooperative and an association supported by almost ninety volunteers.

A pioneer in community-based tourism: Ecuador

November 3rd 2014

Few countries in the world match Ecuador’s natural beauty and cultural richness. With its coast, its sierra, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is home to four ecosystems and a rich biodiversity. One quarter of the population is indigenous and still cherishes age-old traditions. The ‘indígenas’ growing self-awareness makes Ecuador a pioneer in developing community-based tourism.

The difficult search for fair trade gold

November 3rd 2014

The production of one single golden ring generates 20 tonnes of highly toxic waste and requires 50,000 litres of water. These numbers are impressive. Also, mining companies are seldom champions in respecting the local populations. The sector tries to redeem its negative image with standards and codes while NGOs work with cooperatives of artisanal miners towards producing fair trade gold
The first fair trade jewels were sold in 2011, but there are still many obstacles to overcome before miners will actually enjoy a better – golden? – future.

Sustainable tourism and pleasure

November 2nd 2014

With a turnover of 500 billion dollars and 250 million employees, tourism is one of the main economic activities globally. However, revenue from the tourist business is often distributed unfairly and the environment is under pressure because of tourism. Does ‘sustainable tourism’ offer an alternative? And how can the triple P of sustainable development (people, planet, profit) be reconciled with the P of pleasure?