Trade can contribute to the development of poor regions in the world. Yet, local operators do not always have the financial resources or management and marketing skills to access markets. The Trade for Development Centre of BTC (Belgian development agency) is convinced of the potential of trade as a vehicle for development, provided it is managed professionally by the local operators and it operates under fair and sustainable conditions.
As part of the Trade for Development Centre (TDC), the Producer Support Programme aims at identifying smallholder organisations (cooperatives, associations, businesses) that develop fair and sustainable trade projects and at providing financial support to them as well as financial management and marketing expertise.
Producer organisations (cooperatives, associations, small businesses) that are legally established in one of the 18 partner countries of BTC and that want to develop fair and sustainable trade activities.
Does your organisation want to receive financial support? Read here how you can apply for the selection procedure of the Trade for Development programme. Contact Steven for more info.
Here you can find an overview of the projects supported by the Trade For Development supportprogramme.
”The support of the Trade for Development Centre was essential in achieving our project. Thanks to this financial and technical support, we could successfully conclude our project : the first fair certification of gold ever. This is a major step forward and provides a viable alternative for thousands of miners in Bolivia and in the world .”
Cumbre del Sajama, Bolivia
”We were able to move forward with the women of the cooperative, from the beginning of the production chain onward, thanks to the support of the Trade for Development Centre. For the design of the products, it was important for us to work as closely to the artisans as possible, in order to come to a synergy between the tradition of the crafts and the input of new designs and working methods. On the promotional and commercial level the support of BTC was essential, especially for our participation to international fairs. "
Cooperative Femmes de Marrakech, Morocco
”The support of the Trade for Development Centre enabled us to produce specialty coffees and to launch our Gumutindo Single Origin coffees on the very profitable European markets. Moreover, we were able to make our brochures and launch our website, which contributed to the establishment of sustainable business relations with our clients as we now can provide high-quality information. That way, we have gained access to new markets.”
Gumutindo Cooperative, Uganda
”The Trade for Development Centre plays a very important role in our activities. It provided us with technical, human and financial resources. With one goal in mind: Improving the living standards of smallholders through an efficient and effective involvement in the markets. This strategy works even in times of international crisis and recession that we witness now.”
ALLPA, Peru
