WFTO is one of the partners of a project that developed an information system that gives greater transparency of the producers on their commitment to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions.

Using geographical and local data of the producers’ production environs, the Geo Fair Trade Project, aimed at constructing mechanisms to trace products to its producers, to bring producers closer to the consumers, and to come up with social, economic and environmental indicators derived from the information gathered through the project.

This project is funded by the Directorate General for Research of the European Commission and coordinated by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie du Gers (CCI Gers). It is a three-year period project that began last April 2009 and to be concluded in April 2012.

How does Geo Fair Trade Project go about its aim?

Geo Fair Trade project required the cooperation of Research and Technology Developers (RTD) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) to develop new social, economic and environmental indicators based on geographical data.

The project uses traditional traceability data and links it with geographical information to map out relevant indicators such as social and environmental issues, food safety, product quality, and sustainability. These indicators will enable Fair Trade products to be easily identified and traced to its origin.

Online interactive tools are available to allow visualizing the upstream and downstream flow of Fair Trade products. The Geographical Information System (GIS) Geoportal provides the basis for spatial information discovery of Fair Trade initiatives, and how these initiatives will impact the economic, social and environmental conditions of producers and their communities.

Who will benefit the project?
 Fair Trade producers and the consumers benefit the project. The consumers can see the direct implications of their purchasing pattern on the livelihoods of identifiable groups of producers and workers.

A few case studies:
The FTAK organization (India) for Cashew nuts, coffee and spices.
The SONGTAABA organization (Burkina Faso) for Shea Butter.
The ATMA organisation (Ecuador) for Panama Hats, producer group of WFTO member Pachacuti.
The COSTAS organization (Brazil) for Coffee.
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