Fair Trade Handicrafts & Jewellery

Handicrafts are where the international Fair Trade movement began. Starting in the 1940s and 50s, individuals from North America and Europe began to sell crafts made by citizens of the developing world. Many of these individuals were disturbed by the poverty and suffering they saw in places like Africa and Asia and wanted to help the people they met in their travels.

In time, many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Oxfam began to create more structured relationships with southern craftspeople as a means to alleviate poverty. From these efforts stemmed the idea of importing commodities such as coffee at a fair and stable price, and soon Fair Trade began to help millions of people in countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

In Metro Vancouver you can purchase Fair Trade handicrafts including baskets, handbags, instruments, stationary and artwork. Next time a friend has a birthday, why not give them a gift that helps provide an honest living for a deserving person who otherwise would live in poverty? Fair Trade gifts also serve as an education tool, reminding Canadians that all products come from somewhere, and that everyone deserves to live a life of dignity and respect.

A First Hand Account - On the Ground in Uganda

Very Recently, the former Executive Director of Fair Trade Vancouver, Jeff Geipel visited the coop of Shanti Uganda, in East Africa. He spent over a month and half working with the coop members to better understand how Fair Trade works and how it effects producers and artisans on the ground. Jeff Compiled his findings in to an a report which helps explains what the Fair Trade system means to producers, to read this report, click here

Where to find Fair Trade Handicrafts & Jewellery in Vancouver

In Vancouver there are a good number of locations to buy Fair Trade Handicrafts. Some of which include:

• Arte Filum
• Lamano
• Tammachat
• Ten thousand Villages
• Ecofair
• Shanti Uganda
• The African Fair Trade society
• Freedom Enterprises
• Fair Trade Jewelry Company
• Hume Altelier

If you are a Metro Vancouver based company or non-profit group selling Fair Trade handicrafts, please contact us