We’ve launched an innovative Co-operative International Trading Development Fund to help move global communities out of poverty. It will focus on countries where we can make the greatest difference.
Our Malawi Partnership launched on the 2nd July 2022 as we celebrated the 100th International Day of Co-operatives. In our stores, we’re selling a range of products linked to Malawi on dedicated free standing display units. A percentage from the sale of these products will support the initiative.
We’re building our innovative Co-operative International Trading Development Fund by putting aside a proportion from sales every time you spend on Co-op Fairtrade products. We have supported Fairtrade for well over 25 years and our commitment remains as strong as ever. But now when you buy Co-op Fairtrade products, the benefits go even further – into strengthening worldwide co-operatives and their development! In addition, we’re contributing a percentage from the sales of a new range of products displayed on custom-made freestanding units in all of our stores.
The first focus for our fund is Malawi, in south-eastern Africa.
We’ve chosen Malawi as it’s one the world’s poorest countries. Most growers there are small holders dependent on subsistence farming to make a living and produce crops which are vulnerable to changing weather patterns, especially drought.
A programme of support on the ground is being developed with the help of Co-op College and the Malawi Federation of Co-operatives (MAFECO) to help transform their trading capacity. All products currently available on our display units have a connection to Malawi. We’ll add more over time.
On a visit to Malawi, I experienced first-hand both the poverty and spirit of the people, and therefore the opportunity that exists by strengthening their trading capability. Through the true spirit of co-operation, we can make a difference.
Debbie Robinson
CEO Central England Co-operative
In our stores we will sell a range of products linked to Malawi on dedicated free standing display units. A proportion of the sales from these products will fund the work of the Malawi Federation of Co-operatives as they build the development programmes locally.
The Emmott family has been instrumental in getting smallholder macadamia production started, working with HIMACUL (Highland Macadamia Cooperative Union Limited) in Malawi through their charity Neno Macadamia Trust.
The fourth-generation Emmott family set up Nutcellars to continue the legacy started by their great grandparents.
Liberation Foods is not just a Fairtrade nut company; we are a Community Interest Company that’s owned by the smallholder farmers around the world that plant, nurture and pick the nuts that go into our delicious range, including the 3800 farmers of the Highlands Macadamia Co-operative Union Limited (HIMACUL) in Malawi.
Revolver, is a coffee co-operative, meaning profit goes to members – not shareholders. We are sourcing new coffees from Mzuzu Coffee Planters Union and teas from the Msuwadzi Small Farmers Association for your enjoyment.
Based in Paisley in the West of Scotland, Just Trading Scotland (JTS) is a fair trade enterprise set up to facilitate the import and distribution of fairly traded food products to the UK.
Kilombero rice grain is hand sown in the rich soils of Northern Malawi, coupled with environmentally friendly traditional harvesting methods ensures a superior aromatic rice, that is good for you and better for the planet.
One Water was launched back in 2005 with a simple vision: to sell bottled water in the UK to fund water projects across the world. Sales of One Water through Our Malawi Partnership will generate additional funds to be directed to programmes around our Malawian co-operative communities.
Malawi is a country in south-eastern Africa with a population of just under 20 million.
‘Malawi’ means ‘fire flames’. The country takes its name from the reflection of the rising sun on the waters of the vast Lake Malawi.
Agriculture is central to the economy with 90% of the population living in rural areas.
Malawi was the first country in Africa to grow tea on a commercial scale.
The Co-operative College is an educational charity with big plans to make the world a more co-operative place. Born over 100 years ago, their aim is to tackle ongoing inequality and social injustice through co-operative learning, both in the UK and abroad.
As part of Our Malawi Partnership, the College will work on the ground, using their distinctive learning approach to help create mutually beneficial co-operative networks in Malawi and globally. These networks will facilitate the sharing of co-operative values and practical knowledge between farmers and across co-operatives, helping to improve the livelihoods of small-holder farmers and their communities.
MAFECO
Co-operative College also supported the creation of Malawi’s first national apex body for co-operatives, the Malawi Federation of Co-operatives. MAFECO provides growth, training and support opportunities for future generations of co-operative producers and farmers.
We’re inviting as many UK co-operative societies as possible to join us in support of this exciting initiative.
This could be by generating funds through relevant trading opportunities of your own or simply helping us to spread the word. Whichever way you choose to co-operate, we’ll be able to achieve greater good together.
If you’re a Co-operative and interested in getting involved, please contact malawi.partnership@centralengland.coop to find out how.
Let’s co-operate to help move global communities out of poverty.
