Fairgift

How is it social?

Fairgift aims to reduce poverty among developing country producers and surrounding communities via sales of fair trade products and campaigning for greater trade justice. It also enables consumers in the UK to make choices for their weddings, civil partnerships and other special occasions that have a direct positive impact on developing countries.

What is its business model?

Fairgift works with fair trade partners in the UK such as Traidcraft, the Fairtrade Foundation and directly with fair trade producers in order to:

1. Provide connections & understanding between producers in developing countries and consumers in the UK.

2. Create a positive social impact in developing countries by providing fair prices, fair wages & working conditions and long-term relationships with marginalised producers, plus investment in social projects through the Fairtrade premium and other initiatives.

3. Encourage sound & sustainable environmental policies in production, packaging & transportation, including widespread use of recycled materials.

4. Provide financial contributions to up-stream development projects by the development charity Traidcraft Exchange.

Its history

Fairgift was founded in 2006 by Brian Walmsley who had previously worked at Oxfam, Johnson & Johnson and in Tanzania on micro-finance and small business development. With investment from family and friends, the Fairgift website went live in February 2008 offering a wide range of fair trade household goods for gifts and wedding lists. The range is rapidly expanding through product development programmes with a number of fair trade producers.

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