Promoting Sustainbility across the value Chain by Pramod John

Prakruthi Enabling Sustainability

Prakruthi

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

3 TM

Prakruthi Enabling Sustainability

Prakruthi Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Published: 2010 ÂŠ2010 ISBN 978-81-908155-1-2

Published by TM

Prakruthi ISO 9001:2008 Certified Organisation

#43, 2nd Cross, Ramaya Layout St. Thomas Town Post, Kammanahalli Bangalore 560 084, Karnataka, INDIA Tel: +91 80 25438935/36 Fax: 080 41732338 E-mail: prakruthi@prakruthi.org URL: www.prakruthi.org

Photographs: Pramod, Neelkant, Sreenath, Sijo Design and Layout by Rajesh M V Promoting Sustainability across theBangalore Value Chain Printed at National Printing Press,

Contents Foreword Introduction I. Sustainable Garments Corporate Social Responsibility – Benefits Garment Company and its Workers alike Made–By® Supplier Improvement Programme in Nepal Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives Garment Sector Bangalore User Groups – A Concept and an Approach Improvement through Better Transparency in Certification – TSG Case II. Sustainable Tea Raising the Bar National Reference Group (NRG) III. Sustainable Coffee Sustainable Livelihood for Smallholder Coffee Growers and Workers IV. Better Sugar Initiative Better Sugar, for Sure V. Education Empowerment through Education Training and Empowering the Poor VI. Environment Model Eco-Centre ‘Burning’ Issue SEFT –Sustainable Economy and Fair Trade VII. CSR Partnership Prakruthi-RCML Apparel Training Centre VIII. Art, Culture and Heritage Centre for Art, Culture and Heritage Our Partners Location Map Prakruthi Team

7 9-10

16-17 18 19-20 21 22-23 26 27-28

30-31 34-35 38-39 40-41 44-45 46-47 48-49 52-53 56-57 58-59 60 61

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Prakruthi Founder Trustees - 30th November 1991

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Foreword

t gives me immense pleasure to be associated with Prakruthi and its visionary-founder, Pramod John. Over the years Prakruthi and all those associated with it have transformed themselves to address issues beyond the local. The metamorphosis of Prakruthi, a child-centred organisation in the 1990s to one that confronts the reality of children and their families in lowincome groups in sectors such as tea, coffee, and cotton from the perspective of promoting corporate social responsibility is indeed a long trek that few can fathom. What gives me utmost satisfaction as Chair of Prakruthi and having moderated that transformation process is the fact that it has been a seamless one with minimum pain for all those involved in the process, although the interpretation often met with scepticism. With the broadening of horizons through its involvement in as many as five vital economic sectors whose roots are deeply planted in nature (prakruthi), Prakruthi tries to capture the essence of social responsibility through its commitment to the environment. In its mission to bring about accountable and sustainable farming practices that would ultimately benefit not just the people who labour in them but also the planet, Prakruthi has made a paradigm shift in defining its programme objectives. This shift is both welcome and relevant considering the challenges that we face in the new millennium. This publication is a consolidated version of that journey that made the paradigm shift and how the scenario looks as of the moment. I am happy that Pramod and his enthusiastic team have decided to document the process and make it available to a wider audience. With all good wishes

(Koshy Mathew) President, Board of Trustees

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Prakruthi and Corporate Social Responsibility

rakruthi has actively campaigned for Corporate Social Responsibility with those who manage the coffee, tea, sugarcane and garment industries, and persuaded them to make some room for small growers and workers under their ample umbrellas.

Given the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility in Prakruthiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities and in this report, we present a brief summary for the few uninitiated: Corporate Social Responsibility is a concept of business ethics whose time has come, and which, especially after the financial crisis of 2007-2008 that began on Wall Street, is the perfect idea to replace the former ethos of unbridled capitalism that Greed is Good. According to this concept, corporations are responsible not just to their stockholders, but also to their stakeholders: members of society and social groups affected by their decisions. They have an obligation to take into account the impact their actions have on the good of society and of the Planet Earth, and to identify, engage with, and consult with their stakeholders. As more corporations recognize the importance of CSR, and the value of considering not just the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial bottom line, but also the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bottom line, the welfare of humanity and of the planet will benefit.

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Introduction

orporate Social Responsibility (CSR), also called corporate citizenship, and incorporating as its Triple Bottom Line People, Planet, and Profit, is like environmental consciousness and social justice, an ethical idea whose time has resoundingly arrived. Embraced in principle by some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most admired corporations, it has yet to achieve center stage in India, and to catch up comprehensively and beyond public relations-speak. This is why the transformative role of NGOs and of public advocacy, from the media as well as from influential Indians, is of vital importance. As corporations grow in power, exponentially, in an India increasingly enamored of the private sector, with successive governments racing to clip the public sector and sell off government enterprises, the work before us is enormous. And why is this even more crucial for India than for the developed countries? Because India lacks a safety net for its citizens, and a safety net for one billion souls, at least nine hundred million of whom are less than secure from a medical or financial emergency, could take decades. When corporations act responsibly, ethically, and justly, protecting their employees with health insurance as well as safe working environments, and resolutely resisting the urge to dump dangerous wastes into the biosphere or to pursue profit regardless of the human cost, at least some of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential burden is relieved. CSR can go even further in improving the quality of life for employees and surrounding communities, enhancing literacy, public health awareness, and job skills. There are corporations using their expertise and outreach skills of NGOs to reach the community and benefit them,

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

and many NGOs seize the initiative in persuading corporations to adopt CSR practices, often bringing together various stakeholders in what is possibly the most democratic way of going about it, rather than CSR imposed from above or handed down like a charitable grant, this process of community negotiation makes every stakeholder feel like an equal participant in the process. True, CSR in India has come a long way in just the last decade and a half, but given the size of India and the challenges posed by its immense population of poor and unskilled citizens, the task before us is immense as well as urgent.

Pramod John Executive Director Prakruthi

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Prakruthi – Brief History

rakruthi is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Bangalore, where it is registered as a charitable trust. ‘Prakruthi’ in Sanskrit means Nature in the wider sense. Prakruthi was established by development professionals and social entrepreneurs to provide emotional solace to underprivileged communities and also to train them in technical skills so they could become dynamic members of society. During these years, Prakruthi has trained thousands of deprived people to become self-sufficient contributors to society. The journey of Prakruthi was initiated by a small group of youths with an objective to provide emotional solace to the children and youths. With the opening of a multipurpose learning centre, the ball was set rolling. A delighting response from the local children was all that was needed to fill the team with evermore zeal to take this further. Prakruthi was able to provide early childhood education to over 250 children per year who completed their education and were enrolled into the mainstream schools. These education centres were run in the slums of Bangalore. Furthermore, Prakruthi continued to run supportive educational centre to help children overcome the problem of Core-curriculum miss-match with the existing educational system. More than 150 youths were trained and were benefitted each year in these centres. To encourage children and youths of poor neighbourhoods, Prakruthi took an initiative to

provide training regular classes on Performing and Fine arts. Training on pottery, painting, drawing and performing arts such as Mohiniyattam, folk dances, Bharathanatyam and others were provided to the children. In Ladakh region of Kashmir, In the year 2001Prakruthi supported the Indian Indian Armed Forces initiated operation Sadbhavana, in improving the lives and the financial security of families affected by the Kargil War. Along the Indo-Pakistan border, thirty volunteers worked with the local population for a year forming women’s empowerment units which helped widows earn money while sponsoring their children’s education. Prakruthi-developed English-teaching educational software for lower grade students proved so successful that it is now being enhanced and refined for widespread use. In collaboration with Singapore International Foundation, we developed software to teach English and Math to Grade 10 students. Prakruthi has involved in identifying Persons with Disability (PWD) to support them in any which way they could improve or show excellence in the field of their interest. A project was also carried out for children with disability. Prakruthi nurtured a small team of five members to work independently with these children, thus SAMA foundation was born. Disabled children were helped to overcome the unequal opportunities, education and denial of personal and economic security.

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

In its journey through the 18 years of existence, NGOs, CSOs, SMEs, and MNCs have helped, supported and partnered with us in their Social Responsibility activities. It will not be appropriate if we do not mention the wholehearted support given by philanthropic individuals who kindled this voluntary spirit. Community-based training centre has its origins from the sole computer system donated by Mr. Bernard Carry and Ms Claire from UK, the space donated by Surender Singh of Singh engineering works. Mr. Brijesh and his team from Cognizant Technologies made sure that a lowincome settlement youth group called Subhash Chandrabose Society for all-round support for the people in the area is up and running. Lt. Gen. Arjun Ray VSM, Mr. Anand Adkoli of Liqwid Krystal, Mr. T. P Vasanth of Akshar advertising, and Ms. Sujatha Ganesh were the key players in our voluntary intervention in the war-torn areas of Kargil, in the Ladakh region. Mr. R Ramachandran Nuvent Capital, Bank of America, KPMG, Word

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Makers and TTK Blood bank are some of the entities donated equipments for the training centres. Mr. K C Samuel of Hindustan Aviation Academy supported us by allocating free seats for the Prakruthi students in his prestigious institutions. NGOs like SICHEREM, RLHP, TLM, Praxis, SKIP, KNH Germany, Action Aid, National Foundation for India, and Dhwani Foundation supported our activities in different ways. There was support forth coming, as always, from Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Men International, and the Rotary clubs for actioning our different activities. Prakruthi has a long way to go, Prakruthi will continue with this work and much more. The present team of Prakruthi has the motive of achieving higher. It will move on to bring more and more families to prosperity and promote growth in all walks of life. The ultimate agenda of ENABLING SUSTAINABILITY lies within.

Touching Hearts along the LoC

n January 2001 the 14th Corps of the Indian Army invited Prakruthi to support their Sadbhavna Schools in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir by developing e-education software. This software is in use in 14 schools benefiting about 2000 children living in villages along the Line of Control (LoC). Prakruthi team, after visits and interactions with people of the region, motivated a group of volunteers from Bangalore to impart quality education using their professional skills. The volunteers spent six months at a stretch; four batches were trained in two years time at Ladakh. Prakruthi deems it as a glorious episode in its decade long voluntary work.

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

It was worth recording the dedication of the volunteers who were prepared to face the extreme cold weather and challenging terrain to reach out to the children. Prakruthi team was able to organise 250 volunteers and train them in different batches. The training included motivating, team building and crisis management. The volunteers taught computers, English, Maths and Science subjects, while few others took care of the general health and hygiene of the children. There was a tremendous response; especially women folk were more receptive to education and development. As the service provided was beyond expectations, there was huge campaign through different forms of media like TV channels, news papers, magazines both local and national. Prakruthi made an impact in the minds of the people to dedicate their time for the noble cause. Prakruthi team is proud to have taken this initiative and the fond memories linger by. This team is prepared to take up any such initiatives or assignments that come its way in future.

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Sustainable Garments

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Corporate Social Responsibility – Benefits Garment Company and its Workers alike Introduction

he Government of West Bengal has announced a new Textile Policy to create one million new jobs, setting up 20 integrated textile, apparel and hosiery parks, three jute parks, 50 additional handloom clusters, silk parks, and one Integrated Silk Processing and Printing Complex. It also plans to set up an ultra-modern Integrated Textile Township in the State. The Rajlakshmi Cotton Mills Ltd. (RCML), Calcutta, has been manufacturing cotton garments since 1995, using only organic cotton. With an annual turnover of Rs.40 crores (US$8 million), it employs about 700 workers and is reputed for its professionalism and its business ethics. These developments present an excellent opportunity for a collaborative project in Corporate Social Responsibility between Solidaridad, NGO partner Prakruthi, and The Rajlakshmi Cotton Mills Limited (RCML), and a case study in how the core business of RCML was used to address poverty and generate employment. Prakruthi believes passionately that Fair Trade systems and Corporate Social Responsibility infuse manufactured products with immeasurable value as well as a specific and bountiful harvest which includes better profits and productivity for small producers and manufacturers, better wages for workers, and relief and protection for the environment. To prove our point, witness the number of multinational companies that have jumped on to the Corporate Social Responsibility bandwagon and are reviewing their supply chains for their social and environmental compliance. Prakruthi’s core unit is the Sustainability Project which interacts at different levels of the supply chain—from farmers to manufacturers—to ensure social, economic and environmentally sustainable development within and outside the business.

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Objectives

Facilitate RCML to move towards sustainable social compliance

Capacity Building of the workers to the Management for sustainable practices

Facilitate management to conduct monitoring and verification independently

Support RCML in Corporate Social Responsibility practices and enable it to achieve SA-8000 certification

Achievements

Conducted a GAP audit against the CSR policy of RCML

Formed a task force for continuous improvement of the management systems within RCML and provided training on the seven thematic areas of RCMLs CSR policy

Prepared and released SA-8000 manual and procedure

Prepared a training materials on internal auditing systems and trained to all the stakeholders

Assisted RCML to prepare a CSR report

Workshop has been conducted with the RCML management in Employee wellbeing, Workplace issues, Supply Chain Management, Environmental Quality Enhancement, Community Development, Compliance, Monitoring and CSR Reporting

In May 2008, the company received the SA-8000 Certificate

Outcomes

Workers receive above minimum wages along with health insurance

Overtime wages paid or compensatory time given for extra work

Workers representatives regularly meet with the management providing Freedom of Association and collective bargaining

No discrimination among workers since the management following policies based on code of conducts minimizing any possible harassment of workers

SA 8000 Certificate handing over Ceremony in RCML, Kolkatta, West Bengal

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Madeâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;ByÂŽ Supplier Improvement Programme in Nepal Profile of the Company

tar fashion Kathmandu Ltd., based in Nepal is 18 years old and has 300 employees, fashions clothing from organic cotton and other environmental friendly fibres such as bamboo, hemp, Ramie, Soya etc. More than 200,000 garments are exported to Europe and the USA. The factory is supported by Prakruthi to join the new ethos of Corporate Social Responsibility. Prakruthi has drawn up a plan to get the factory SA-8000 Certified.

Achievements

Conducted a GAP audit as per SA-8000 Code of Conducts

Formed a task force for continuous improvement of the management systems within Star Fashion and provided training on Employee wellbeing, Workplace issues, Supply chain management, Environmental Quality Enhancement, Community Development, Compliance Monitoring and Workers Committee

Prepared and released SA-8000 manual and procedure

Prepared a training materials on internal auditing systems and trained to all the stakeholders

Displayed of policy, procedure and other required legal information

Outcomes

The management of Star Fashion has understood the benefits of SA-8000 certification for the factory and its impact on worker morale. Our intervention persuaded them to take a more positive attitude towards Corporate Social Responsibility

SA-8000 certification final audit will be conducted on middle of January 2010, after continuous interventions from Prakruthi Management Star Fashion are eligible for SA-8000 certification

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives Garment Sector Bangalore Introduction

fter the beedi industry, the garment industry is the largest industrial employer of women workers in Karnataka. Karnataka Labour Department statistic for 2002 show that there were 788 statewide garment manufacturing units, 729 of which were in the city of Bangalore. The industry employed 1,53,978 workers statewide, of whom 1,10,019 were women; while in, the corresponding numbers were 1,46,855 and 1,03,039 respectively. Naturally, because of their gender and the near total absence of unionization, this workforce is highly vulnerable. The level of collectivisation among workers in the Bangalore garment sector is practically non-existent. Earlier attempts at unionisation in the Nineties in some factories in Bangalore, particularly by CITU, ultimately proved disastrous for participating workers. Factories closed down and shifted production elsewhere, and the striking workers were left jobless and simultaneously blacklisted from new jobs by the well-knit garment industry’s employers. The memory of this period of failed unionisation attempts is still fresh in workers’ minds, leaving them hesitant to take the initiative to unionise. The large proportion of women workers also hinders unionization, because women are often obliged, after long hours of work, to return home and satisfy domestic obligations—which leaves little time to participate in organisation and collectivisation. The workers are also very vulnerable because of the lack of job security. In many factories there are no written contracts or appointment letters from the management to workers. In some factories, the management makes workers hand over signed resignation letters at the time of joining work. On the other hand, the Bangalore garment sector has seen complete polarisation of views vis-à-vis issues of Corporate Social Responsibility. The NGOs and labour unions are on one side, and often the factory owners,

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and other actors in the supply chain are on the other. While the codes and standards enhance the competitiveness of the Indian garment exporters and simultaneously improve the living and working conditions of the marginalised and vulnerable stakeholders, there is a need for a comprehensive and accountable mechanism. There is a need for developing the capacity of the Bangalore garment cluster stakeholders on codes and standards. There is also a need for developing the capacity of women workers to join trade unions while enhancing knowledge about codes and standards. This would gradually bring the polarised stakeholders under one umbrella to find collective solutions to social and environmental challenges.

Project Goal To encourage and enable India’s textile enterprises to have a positive impact on the people’s quality of life by adopting improved CSR practices and International Standards.

Objectives

To have a comprehensive understanding of the labour and environmental concerns in the garment sector of Bangalore

Develop the capacity of the employers as well as labour unions to reach International Standard like SA-8000, WRAP etc.

Form a Multi-stakeholder Steering Group for developing a collective and coherent response on key social and environmental issues

Achievements

Conducted a participatory research on prevailing social and environmental issues, and concerns in the Bangalore garment cluster

Orientation workshop organised to educate workers about their rights

Training and capacity-building workshops, particularly for the women workers done

Initiated process for formation of Bangalore Steering Group in Garment Sector

A Stakeholder workshop has organised on “Prevailing social and environmental issues and concerns” in Bangalore garment cluster

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

User Groups – A Concept and an Approach A Bangalore Experiment Introduction

ser groups, which played such a vital role in the development of the Internet and of software, are a revolutionary and democratic idea that can enhance areas of social existence that were once polarized. User groups suggest partnership, collaboration, teamwork, camaraderie, and synergy, and are the opposite of antagonism, separateness, and rivalry. Prakruthi wishes to introduce the concept of User Groups into the world and ecosystem of Bangalore garment factories as a way of supporting and stimulating groups, companies, and organisations in a new way of solving internal issues.

Objectives

To introduce the methodology of User Group in Bangalore Garment Sector as an innovative way to support & stimulate companies to solve issues they face in their garment factories

Achievements

Facilitated formation of User Group of 10 interested factories

‘Absenteeism among workers in garment industry’ was selected as topic for discussion and remedial action

Provided information on key criteria contributing to the successful preparation and implementation of User Groups

Promoted the methodology of User Groups to companies and brands

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Improvement through Better Transparency in Certification â&#x20AC;&#x201C; TSG Case Steering Social Responsibility

he synergy that is released when stakeholders in a particular industry get together for the common good is beautifully illustrated by this project. While its main goal was to enable the Madeâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;ByÂŽ knitwear supply chain to build a flagship chain of suppliers from India for optimal achievement of fair trade objectives, it had some very useful secondary outcomes as well. This was a specific project to cater only to cutting, making, trimming (CMT) units.

Objectives

To provide support throughout the SA 8000 audit process

To facilitate the TSG in understanding and using the complaint filing mechanism within SA 8000 process

Continue building the capacity of workers in the SA 8000 certified factories on SA 8000 standard along with experts and Steering Group members

To promote corporate community investment programmes in the Tirupur region in association with the steering group

Achievements

First pre-audit and post audit consultation and training completed

Study on Sumangali scheme completed

Withdrawal of orders by brands and its impacts study is completed

Three training programmes for the labourers working in SA 8000 factories have been conducted covering 150 participants during these training programmes

A Website for Tirupur Steering Group has been developed and inaugurated in the presents of SAI International officials and other stakeholders

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Outcomes

The beneficiaries realised the importance of SA 8000 certification and thoroughly understood the purpose of Audit as not merely a fault-finding process, but as a social approach with corrective measures for worker welfare

All parties acknowledge that the SA 8000 will bring cordial relationships amongst various stakeholders including the NGOs and Trade Unions

The social audit process opened a direct and nonconfrontational communication between Trade unions and company owners

International agencies like Solidaridad could also work directly with peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s groups and civil society groups if Steering Group is engaged in the social audit process

The modesty and wisdom amply illustrated by TSGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in the social audit has earned the respect of company owners for Trade Unions. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand image and value have risen

TSG Members with Ms. Rochelle Zaid, SAI International

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Resources

Bargaining Beans

Phased out and Stitched Up

India’s Small Coffee Growers Readying to go Global with Certification - A Report

State of the Readymade Garment Sector in Nepal

Eco Centre Organic Farming Support System

Steering Corporate Social Responsibility Making Social Audit Work in the Tirupur Garment Cluster

Identifying Feasibility of Fair Trade Initiatives in the Co-operative Tea Sector in Sri Lanka

Tea Argentino Base Scan of Sustainability Issues in Argentine Tea Industry

Sustainability in the Tea Sector

‘Burning’1 Issue

Consultative Workshop on UTZ® Tea Certification in India – A Report

A pilot study on the consumption of Firewood in the garment cluster of Tirupur, Tamil Nadu

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Sustainable Tea

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Raising the Bar The Wayanad Story

mall is beautiful, but not necessarily in the cutthroat world of unrestrained markets, where big fish get fatter by gobbling up the little fish. But WAM and Prakruthi managed to bring the taste of the tea of Wayanad’s small growers to the international markets. Enter the Wayanad Agro Movement (WAM) Tea Co.Ltd., which was formed by CST with the help of Wayanad Charitable Organisation in Mananthavady taluk. In 2003, CST Congregation floated a tea factory for small tea growers, boasting of more than 200 farmers as its shareholders. However, this laudable venture was in a crisis due to high competition from the market, low quality of made tea, low prices from action, lack of local market, and unstable quality and quantity of green leaves. Now, Prakruthi has supported the WAM Tea Company Ltd., in reaching sustainable growth with their initiative, and to help bring small tea growers under the UTZ® certification.

Objectives

Capacity building of workers and small tea producers

Developing sustainable market access

Achievements Enhanced capacity of the 500 farmers related to UTZ® certification and its process

Started four Leaf-Collection Centres

WAM Tea company has become the first UTZ® Certified tea company in the World

Outcomes Sustainable assurance of better quality green tea leaves and better price for producers

Skill development of management, farmers and workers

Better quality of made tea by better management in the factory

Enabled small producers to become players in the international value chain

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National Reference Group (NRG) “Indian”ising UTZ® Tea Code

workshop on the purpose and meaning of UTZ® certification was held on May 2008 at Darjeeling, West Bengal.

Forty participants from India, China, Indonesia, the Netherlands and Sri Lanka representing the interests of planters, tea auctioneers, leaf buyers, small and marginal farmers, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and statutory bodies such as the Tea Board, took part in the consultative process. Five panels have been formed consisting of following agencies/ representatives in each panel:

Panel One: Planters, Tea Companies and Auctioneers/Buyers

Panel Two: Small tea growers

Panel Three: Trade Unions

Panel Four: NGOs and CSOs

Panel Five: Sharing of international experiences

Members in each Panel Representatives from each panel have aired their views and experiences and concluded as follows: Panel 1: Indian Tea plantations are already following good social practices as enshrined in the plantations Labour Act and other legislation governing the Tea industry, and this would be further highlighted during the certification process. However, we must pay more attention to the actual implementation of different codes in the Indian Tea Industry Panel 2: Collectivization works for the benefit of small grower, who must learn from each other and from similar experiments in this direction. Post-collectivization, certifications like UTZ® could be a useful tool for small holders to get access to quality markets.

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Panel 3: UTZ® Tea code is a positive and welcome step. Panel 4: All panelists touched on the importance of having a certification support network, and this was endorsed by the floor at the open discussion. Panel 5: They have welcomed the certification of tea product sand hoped that once the idea catches on, retail outlets would vie with each other to stock certified commodities. A National Reference Group to take the agenda forward, and also a Certification Support Network was formed.

Mr. Koshy Mathew addressing 1st National Reference Group meeting for UTZ® certification held in Darjeeling, India

Fr. James, Managing Director, WAM Tea exhibiting World’s first UTZ® Certificate for small growers

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Sustainable Coffee

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Sustainable Livelihood for Smallholder Coffee Growers and Workers The Real Aroma Introduction

ndians may be surprised to learn that India is not known in most other countries as a coffee producer. Our marketing projection has been as good as that of other countries (who hasn't heard of Jamaican Blue Mountain or Kenyan coffee, for example?), and we are also often subject to the vagaries of world markets, such as overproduction in Brazil causing the sale of coffee at distress prices. However, Indian coffee has its own unique flavor, and India is the only country that grows all of its coffee under shade. Typically mild and not too acidic, these coffees possess an exotic full-bodied taste and a fine aroma. Coffee in India is more than an agricultural export product; it is a social, institutional and cultural fabric that is at the heart of the rural societies in the traditional coffee-growing areas such as Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, and in the emerging areas in the tribal belts of Andhra Pradesh/Orissa and North-East India. It offers work opportunities to thousands in areas where there is no alternative occupation. It is also an indispensable part of a fragile eco-system in the Western and Eastern Ghats. Given the importance of coffee both to the country and to the small growers whose livelihoods depend on it, Prakruthi have entered into a strategic partnership with different stakeholders in forming and strengthening farmer groups to provide a sustainable market access.

Goal

To improve the living standards of small and marginal coffee growers by adopting sustainable practices towards international standards

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Specific Objectives

Strengthening small coffee growers' organizations in India and build their capacity to improve their market position and increase and stabilize their income from coffee production

Improved competitiveness and higher income for the smallholders through access to higher-value markets by means of certification and better adherence to social and environmental standards leading to improved living and working conditions in the coffee fields

Link up with quality coffee market in India and increase awareness and consumption of sustainable coffee

Achievements

Completed a base-line analysis of small growers in South India to identify with existing practices and socio-economic condition of small growers

Organized common platform for the coffee producers groups, buyers, other marketing companies and NGO's, explored the possibilities for improving productivity, quality and sustainability of Indian coffee

Prakruthi launched the process to organize National Level Coffee Producers Forum and organized three national level workshops discussing;

Relevance of certification

Group certification procedures

Different certifications and standards

Demand for the certified coffee in International market

Prakruthi established partnership with NedCommodities to certify the producers in Coorg area. About 980 acres of coffee farms identified, which is located in different parts of Coorg and supported them to certify under UTZ速 standards

Partnership with ECOM (Coffee trading company)to produce and procure responsible coffee from small growers from Tamil Nadu (Bodi, Lower Palani Hills, Theni) and in Kerala (North Wayanad, Kattappana)

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Representing Prakruthi in International Forums

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Better Sugar Initiative

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Better Sugar, for Sure Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative

ugarcane cultivation is one of the biggest employment generators for India with 50 million farmers involved in producing around 26 million MT of Sugar making it one of the largest sugar-producing countries in the world. In addition to farmers, 0.5 million workers are directly employed as agricultural labour involved in Sugarcane cultivation and harvesting. Tamil Nadu is the third largest sugar-producing state in India. The well-known South Indian company E.I.D. Parry, which now participates in the Better Sugar Initiative (BSI) as its steering group member, seeks to take forward its ethical leadership in the sugar industry by providing support to the sugarcane farmers, enabling them to implement BSI standards and eventually get certified under those standards. Prakruthi joined hands with Parry and Solidaridad for this intiative.

Objectives

To certify at least 1000 Sugarcane farmers who will supply certified Sugarcane to E.I.D. Parry

To train at least 40,000 smallholder sugarcane farmers and workers in Best Farm Management Practices (BFMP) and in the principles of sustainable chain management

To contribute to MDG 1, MDG 7 and MDG 8 targets

Activities Planned

Base scan research of target smallholders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; identifying the GAPs in firm management practices as well as the sustainability challenges

GAP analysis for certification to the BSI standards, and providing feedback about the convergences and divergences to Indian sugarcane realities

Improvement and remediation programmes to meet the GAPs including setting up of systems and providing technical support for 1000 farmers

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Certification of the sugarcane farmers and the factories. Providing national inputs to the BSI. Certification/traceability standards through consultative workshops at regional and national levels.

Development of a manual on sustainable sugarcane and factory on good agricultural practices as per standard

Capacity building workshops for the selected farmers, leaders and staff who in turn would pass on the knowledge to other farmers

Magazine/Newsletter on BSI standards and other related developments for sugarcane farmers to be accessed through Parryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s E-Kiosks

Better Sugar Initiative Annual General Body Meet

BSI Field Visit

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Support a Child - Campaignâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

ducation is the basic prerequisite for the development of any society. We are trying to assure the participation of local community in the process of improving the education standard of the underprivileged children in India. As an individual one can sponsor a child for his/her basic education and life skill training. The donor will get progress report of the child s/he supports. Prakruthi supports the education of the underprivileged children living in urban and rural areas of India. We support basic education of the children along with life skill training. We believe in making them independent and grow them as socially and environmentally responsible citizen. This aligns with our efforts to achieve Millenium Goals (MDGs II & III).

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Education

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Empowerment through Education Promote Universal Primary Education and Gender Equality Introduction

ith its high tribal population, Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh lags far behind Millennium Development Goal targets. The cotton growers in this district are badly affected by the high cost of farming concomitant with low returns. Several studies have urged low-cost farming as a better strategy for survival. With cotton farmers being part of a global supply chain for major garment and textile companies worldwide, this situation could pose serious risks for the companies, who may stop procuring Indian cotton, thus risking loss of the farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; livelihood. These farmers are organized under the umbrella of COFA (Chetna Organic Farmers Association) and are supported by Solidaridad in their effort to become part of a movement that is taking up organic farming and producing organic cotton, which will be sold through MACS (Mutually Aided Cooperative Society) with the cooperation of COFA. Prakruthi is playing a key role in supporting COFA in implementing corporate-community development projects. As part of their educational outreach, Prakruthi conducted a pilot study to get a clear picture of the existing education system and the reasons for high dropout rates, especially among girls.

Objectives

Achieve universal primary education (MDG 2) and

Promote gender equality and empower women (MDG 3)

Achievements

Rapport built with Government agencies, other NGOs and the community

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Qualified persons have been identified from OCGRA (Organic cotton growers association) and within the community were appointed as Teachers

A Learning-cum-Resource centre at Asifabad is functioning in consultation with the locals and village heads. This Resource Centre motivates students, promote health awareness and develop skills among tribal children

Four Education Centres established at Belgam-G, Kahpri, Malangundi and Koutaguda covering around eight villages with more than hundred students

Within a year, seven students joined mainstream residential school

Students in Kahpri Education Centre

Recreational activities in Koutaguda Education Centre

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Training and Empowering the Poor Community Based Training Centre, Byrathi, Bangalore Introduction

n Bangalore, air-conditioned hothouse of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Information Technology revolution and one of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s richest cities, the bonanza has bypassed quite a few silent members of the population, including orphan and underprivileged children, who cannot afford to learn modernday life skills due to their financial constraints. Mere possession of an academic certificate from their schools with their low educational standards doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean much in the job market in degree-rich, certificaterich India. So Prakruthi decided to give wings to the dreams of at least a few of these children by starting a learning centre in modern day life skills at affordable prices. Thus was born the Community Based Training Centre (CBTC) in the year 1998. Children are free to choose their own learning course and pace to suit their individual tastes and learning curves, depending on their level of education, age and other background. Computer classes charge a nominal fee, which help to instill in the students a sense of ownership in their learning, while the fees collected help run the centre.

Objective

Educating & Empowering children with IT based training

Strategies

Technical and soft skill development

Support to livelihood by providing placement and re-training

Linking CSR programmes of business with the Centre

Programs/Activities

Computer training and other skill developmental courses

Basic computer skills Programs/Activities

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Course on programming language

Youth training workshops

Children’s clubs

Reading centers

Remedial/Supplementary teaching

Spoken English classes

Personality development workshops

Retail Management courses

Basic Management courses

Career counseling and leadership training

Networking with schools/community

Outcomes/Achievements

Several youth and students have been trained in various computer skills like Microsoft Office, Tally, DTP, PhotoShop, CorelDraw etc.

Job placements for more than 40 beneficiaries of the centre in various organization like Ambara Software Technologies, Croma Pvt.Ltd., Café Coffee Day, etc.

Entrepreneurship trainings were conducted for prospective young needy entrepreneurs for their sustainable livelihood

A library of useful books are available in the centre

Promoted youth association among youths in the name of “Yuva Sneha Jeevi Sangha” as Self Help Group to develop social awareness skill

Established Networking with schools/communities

Impact on the Community

Increases awareness of IT-training among youths

Job Placement has transformed the lives of youths and their families

The centre and its alumni, the youth and children have created such an impact that the attitude of the villagers has changed, now garnering remarkable support, and attracting students from neighbouring areas

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‘Plant a Tree’ Prakruthi’s campaign to plant one crore trees in India over a period of ten years

rees are not only important to human being it also essential for the very existence for any other species in the planet. Unfortunately we are cutting millions of trees every day without giving much importance to replace it. “Plant a Tree today and save our planet” is a unique project Prakruthi has initiated to plant trees in both urban and rural areas of India. The project aims at protecting the fragile environment of India by planting 10 million trees in India over a period of ten years. Prakruthi organizes the individuals, organisations, companies, government, NGOs and educational institutions across the country and facilitate the process of planting trees in both, public and private lands. Prakruthi identifies the place and types of sapling, plant, put a shelter, water it, and care it for three years for better sustenance. Later it

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

will be given to the concerned individual or organisation to protect. We just don’t believe in planting trees, instead Prakruthi plant, protect and educate the local community/ institution to take care of it. Prakruthi is in the process of finding credible partners like companies, institutionsand individuals from different parts of the world to come forward and support in our mission to save our plant for the future generations. As an individual one can sponsor any number of trees according to your convenience. We will plant the trees protect the same and also replace in case of any mortality. As a socially responsible corporate house, a company can take a project of planting a minimum of 5000 trees. Prakruthi will plant, protect and replace the trees the company. The project will be named with Donor Company. Prakruthi also provide the donor GPS position to track the trees and understand its growth.

Environment

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Model Eco-Centre Introduction

he cow is central in Indian village life and culture, and any environmental plan must, sooner or later, come to grips with cows (as indeed, it must on a universal scale, considering the bovine role in global warming). Thus it was that Prakruthi proposed a livestock development project for promoting organic farming of cotton in Adilabad district, where the Chetna Organic Cotton Programme is under operation. The project train organic farmers on how to prepare and apply organic manures like vermi compost and bio pesticides from cow manure for better productivity.The implementation of livestock development project made to understand that the necessity of a resource centre, which can demonstrate natural resource management and better agriculture practices to the organic cotton growers.

Objectives Improve standard of living of farmers' households by increasing income through:

Reuse natural resources by making rain water harvesting structures and using bio-gas for the eco centre activities

Rejuvenate soil fertility by adopting soil management practices and applying organic inputs like on farm manures, bio-mass, vermi-compost, bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides and nutrients

To give other income through pisciculture in rain pond and vegetable cultivation on the canopy

To demonstrate the methodical usage of by-products of cattle by collecting and producing crop protection and micro nutrient products

To demonstrate nutritious fodder production, which would overcome the physical weakness among cattle and their high susceptibility to diseases

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Achievements

Four acres of land provided by the community in two villages (Chouppanguda and Belgam G in Adilabad)

Two cow sheds were built and 30 cows and calves have been provided under the group ownership in two eco centres with Roof water harvesting, Rain pond, bio-gas plant, vermin compost pit and bio-pesticide/nutrient unit.

Groups were able to produce vegetables by using canopy and fish in the rain pond generating extra income for the farmers

The Eco centre has become a model for promoting organic farming as well as a laboratory for solving farmers' problems

Multi-Stakeholder Partnership

Cooperation among Agencies: The project involved different groups/agencies such as Cultivators (Chetna organic cotton producers), Industries (RCML), Corporate (Organic cotton buyers/ business groups), governmental agencies (ITDA, IKP and Forest department), Non-governmental organizations (Solidaridad and COFA) and grass root level bodies (OCGRAs, Women and Youth group of the community) by contributing their resources

Rainpond supporting food security- vegetables and fish farming

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Burningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Issue Environmental Concerns of Firewood Consumption in Tirupur's Industries Introduction

hat is the social and environmental impact of firewood being used in the garment industries,and would alternate energy sources like solar power and wind energy work instead? Prakruthi decided to investigate and research firewood usage in Tirupur District in Tamil Nadu.

Objectives

Identify the amount of firewood consumption in garment industries in Tirupur and sources of firewood supply

Explore social-political dynamics of the firewood market

Assess the environmental implications of firewood usage and explore alternatives

Assess the readiness of the industry owners to look at alternatives, or to minimise on the current quantities used by enhancing efficiency

Generate research studies, reports, and pamphlets on key corporate and community responsibilities and spread this knowledge and awareness in the community

Achievements Visits were made to different firewood-consuming Industries, wood suppliers, heads of associations from steam calendaring, dyeing and bleaching sectors and heads of Institutions such as PSG Institute of Technology, Textiles Council and Pollution Control Board in Tirupur. We also met researchers from institutions such as TIDE to get insight into boiler use efficiency and available options to optimize usage of firewood.

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Outcomes

Tirupur industries are able to understand environmental concerns of wood cutting

Sensitized all the stakeholders by a training programme for firewood users

Since Firewood supply chain touches the lives of about 50,000 to 75,000 persons, They have understood the need of prudent use of firewood

Network established among the woodcutters, users, farmers and suppliers to avoid exploitation

The supply chain of firewood from cultivator to end user was spelt out and the role of each in the industry was outlined

Plans to encourage the farmers to cultivate shrubs such as karuvellam, mulveli, velavela, vembu, unjal in lands where there is shortage of water for irrigation

Mr. Dandapani, Convener of TSG presenting Stakeholder Consultation on Usage of Firewood in Tirupur Garment Cluster

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

SEFT – Sustainable Economy and Fair Trade

n South-East Asia millions of people, most of them women, work on tea plantations. Labour conditions are often poor and hours are long, with few breaks. Their wages are low, and lower than those of men. Profit margins are small and on some plantations a lot of chemical pesticides are used. Due to lack of transparency in the sector and low tea prices, both smallscale farmers and large plantations have difficulty keeping their heads above water. Since 2008, Solidaridad has been working with local partners to make tea production more sustainable, starting in Malawi, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. Thanks to improvements to farming techniques and selfmanagement, and the introduction of UTZ® certified, small-scale tea farmers and tea pickers can look forward to a better and healthier future. So Solidaridad is working on an UTZ® code for plantations and smallscale farmers. Certification for small-scale farmers is the challenge.

The Aims of the Programme • To introduce and provide information about UTZ® certified on plantations and in cooperations • To support cooperations with self-management, market access and farming techniques, paying particular attention to women • To interest and involve tea companies in a sustainable tea chain • To develop a sustainable tea market in producer countries • To set up multi-stakeholder National Reference Groups in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, with an emphasis on the participation of women’s organizations

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Achievements Capacity building at 12 tea cooperations in India that together represent 45,000 Small-scale tea farmers from West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 2,502 Labourers (50% women) in Java, Indonesia, are getting UTZÂŽ certification. 2,000 Plantation workers in Malawi are in the process of certification. 5 Civil society organizations in Europe and/or producing countries are cooperating in the tea programme. Oxfam, SOMO (Netherlands) for joint work on tea through the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH). Multi-stakeholder National Reference Groups (NRG) comprising of tea boards, tea cooperations, traders, auction houses, large plantations, small-scale farmers, tea research institutes, trade unions and NGOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s provided feedback in the development and implementation of the UTZÂŽ certified tea code. Indonesia: the secretariat for a multi stakeholder platform is hosted by the NGO Business Watch. Sri Lanka: the secretariat for a multi stakeholder platform is hosted by the NGO Institute of Social Development. Conduct two base scans identifying sustainability challenges for smallscale farmers within the tea sector. Base scans in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Argentina. Training tools have been developed for international use, such as training for trainers, checklists and information and training material for producers.

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Stakeholders Speak... Shatadru Chattopadhayay Director, Solidaridad-South and South East Asia

The NGOs have been traditionally the biggest driver of CSR everywhere in the world closely followed by the Government and companies themselves. Acknowledging this reality, Solidaridad-South and South East Asia has been actively supporting a network of CSR organisations in the region. In India there are hundreds of thousands of NGOs but those which looks at CSR as their main focus area are very rare either due to capacity issues or because of ideological barriers from both NGO as well as business side. In this context, we are happy to see that Prakruthi has emerged as one of the leading Indian NGOs working dedicatedly with different stakeholders on CSR issues across the supply chains. Prakruthi is perhaps amongst the few Indian organisations which has the capacity to implement programmes on the ground and simultaneously occupy the space of policy advocacy on CSR. We in Solidaridad, look forward to join Prakruthi in this exciting journey of making the world more sustainable.

Sjoerd Panhuysen Senior Policy Advisor, Tropical Coffee Coalition, The Netherlands

In recent years, TCC and Prakruthi jointly developed a coffee training programme addressing small-scale producers in the three main coffee producing departments in India. Linking up Prakruthi’s local network to TCC’s international coffee programme has given this project an added value. Together we are creating an enabling environment for different stakeholders to take part in the sustainable coffee debate in India. It’s not just about sustainable production, it’s about understanding the coffee market too, nationally and internationally, to make the right business decisions and identify the best partners to improve the social, environmental and economic situation. Today, Prakruthi’s coffee project has become a bridge between producers, traders, roasters and others, bringing them together to improve the sustainability of the coffee chaín.

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

CSR Partnership

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Prakruthi-RCML Apparel Training Centre Addressing Poverty and Unemployment through CSR in Garment Sector of West Bengal Introduction

orker absenteeism and frequent turnover pose major problems for RCML, and the root cause is the shortage of skilled and trained labour. In turn the low-skilled or unskilled workers and their families suffer insecurity, unemployment, and destitution. What the workers need is to be well-trained in textile manufacturing, which in turn will enhance the quality and quantity of production, while ideal workplace standards of safety will increase worker security and welfare. The Apparel Training Centre upgrade workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; technical skills of the human resource employed in Garment industry, while the company also volunteers to provide training in this centre. Prakruthi supported RCML to get SA-8000 certification, developed its Corporate Social Responsibility policy, trained workers in workplace standards including safety.

Objectives

To create a pool of technically and socially sound workforce drawn from people living below poverty line in West Bengal through sustainable process and provide employment

To involve the business in such a way that the volunteering spirit of the employees is reinforced

Newly learned technical skills will help the marginalized sections of people to be gainfully employed and come out of poverty

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Achievements

The training centre Building has been constructed and furnished

Trainees have been selected, and faculty from the Apparel Training and Design Centre have been arranged

Curriculum has been prepared including training modules, community development training kits and overall course guidelines

The Training Centre is fully functional; and formally opened on 14th September 2009.

RCMLâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Prakruthi Apparel Training Centre Kolkatta, West Bengal

Solidaridad Board of Directors visits to RCMLâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Prakruthi Apparel Training Centre Kolkatta, West Bengal

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Stakeholders Speak... Liesbeth Unger Programme Manager, Business and Human Rights at Aim for Human Rights, The Netherlands

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since I worked for many years on the promotion of sustainability in supply chains to countries like mine (The Netherlands), I met Pramod John and learned about his organization Prakruthi. His organization is able to put theory into practice and works on the implementation of international standards for more sustainable value chains. For a Western organization promoting with companies to use these standards in their supply chains and trying to convince them that it is really possible to do so, Prakruthi gives us inspiring examples. Prakruthi is one of the rare NGOs, which is able to work at grassroots level, at national level and at international level, with many different stakeholders, including business. This is what makes their work so effective. I hope they will continue their so much needed work for a long time.â&#x20AC;?

Subramaniyam Secretary, Tamil Manila Kattida Tholilalar Sangam (TMKTS)

I am associated with Prakruthi in many perspectives especially involved in activities pertaining to construction and garment workers in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It gives me immense satisfaction and feeling of completeness while working with Prakruthi team. The proficiency of the team, sharing knowledge, effective coordination & team work is commendable and has increased my cumulative individual experience. I know Prakruthi and Pramod since last eight years and have worked together in support of the worker community and the trade unions in garment and construction sectors. Prakruthi has always set examples in the fields of CSR, especially being one of the best in this field. The team can ground things by challenging all odds. The achievements in Tirupur, working with the trade unions & local NGOs is exemplary. I wish the team great success in all their efforts.

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Art, Culture and Heritage

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Centre for Art, Culture and Heritage Introduction Prakruthi conceptualized and initiated Centre for Art Culture and Heritage (CACHe) with vision and goal to identify and nurture the creative talents of children from the lower strata of society. These children and youth are deprived of resources and access to the elite arts like classical dances or painting. Since their extracurricular activities and personal interests are not catered, they would tend to fall into the viles of social evils or turn to be idle minds and become a threat to the society. In this context Prakruthi took initiative to train the talented youth who can be real promises to the future.

Background Children and youth from the slums and suburbs of Bangalore are deprived of the classical art forms. These art forms were exclusively meant for the upper class /castes who can easily afford to access the facilities. Even if they are talented, the classical arts were denied to the less privileged, in turn, they can perform the folk arts which is more of a group performance. So generally, no individual talents are appreciated. To bridge this gap Prakruthi initiated art classes for the children of slums and suburbs of Bangalore. Prakruthi team could identify the budding artists and train them in their relevant areas. The students could perform on various stages and these stages gave them more confidence and improved their self esteem. These kinds of trainings are like catalysts to personality development of young minds and adds to their life skills.

Programmes Over the period of time Prakruthi students had staged several programmes. We celebrate National festivals and religious festivals irrespective of caste or religion. Based on the occasions we choreograph dances, songs and speeches. Besides, we observe religious festivals with the true spirits. These acitivities give the children the exposure to all religious practices and helpes to understand the cultural differences.

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The performances included Indian classical dances like Bharathanatyam (the traditional dance form with systematic rhythms and set music), The popular filmy numbers, folk dances of different tribes of India and skits and short plays. There were quite a few singers also in the group who entertained the audience with their best performances.

Trainings Regular trainings are going on at the centre in painting and drawing, classical and folk dances other than computer based education. The students will get trained in pencil sketching, shading, water colouring and oil painting. Some of the students are excellent in drawing and shading and they come out with beautiful pictures. Mostly the girls get training in classical dances and folk dances. But at the same time boys show interests in western dances fast numbers. Anyways, these kinds of trainings will definitely boost up their confidence and discipline. The children as well as the youth will imbibe the cultural values of our tradition, heritage and understand the value systems in a better manner.

International Cultural Exchange Programmes As a part of the cultural exchange programme, CACHe is tying up with DANSA a school based in Venlo, Netherlands. DANSA share the same ideas and spirits to promote the culture and heritage through performing arts in Netherlands. They cater to the youngsters of Venlo and surrounding areas and help them to nurture their talents by exposing them to various art and cultural forms from different parts of the Globe. CACHe is in the process of establishing cultural linkages with different like-minded groups from differenrt parts of the world to promote and propagate the power of culture and heritage of different societies world wide. CACHe operates from; # 207, 1st 'E' Cross, HRBR Layout, 3rd Block, St. Thomas Town P.O, Bangalore 84, Karnataka, INDIA Ph: +91 80 25465569 Email: lincy@prakruthi.org Website: www.cacheglobal.org

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Our Partners Individual Partners Prakruthi receives the support of individuals from different parts of India and abroad who is concerned about the social and environmental issues. We basically get support for Education, Environment protection and sustainable agriculture. This support is also helping us to expand our interventions to different parts of India and other countries of South Asia. We strongly believe in the power of individual donors in making a difference together. Prakruthi is grateful to all the individuals, companies and institutions from different parts of India who is instrumental in helping us in the process of making the world a better place to live.

Solidaridad Solidaridad is an initiator and driving force behind Fair Trade, and an active player in organic agriculture. Solidaridad is intensively involved in CSR models such as UtzÂŽ Certified, Social Accountability International (SAI) and the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), and is active in Round Tables for responsible soy and sustainable biofuels. Solidaridad is a pioneer, developer and innovator in the field of fair trade. We believe that sustainable economic development is the best solution to structural poverty in developing countries. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting with more and more success. Companies are taking more and more responsibility for the social impact of their business. Consumers are becoming more critical about where their purchases come from and the conditions under which they were produced.

Tropical Commodity Coalition The Tropical Commodity Coalition consists of eight non-governmental organisations: Hivos, Oxfam-Novib, Solidaridad, Oikos, Somo, Fairfood, India Committee of the Netherlands, BothEnds and two trade unions: FNV Bondgenoten and CNV BedrijvenBond. It cooperates with NGOs and trade unions in coffee, tea and cocoa producing countries to improve the social, environmental and economic conditions at the beginning of these value chains.

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Smile Foundation Smile Foundation is a National Level Development Organisation, registered as an Indian Charitable Trust, initiated by a group of young professionals from corporate and business sectors. The Foundation supports children centric welfare initiatives of NGOs across 21 States of India. The Foundation, itself a living example of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), very genuinely believes in and passionately advocates for a more proactive and vital role of corporate organisations in the developmental plane for greater mutual benefits.

Everychild UK For over 25 years, and in over 15 countries around the world, EveryChild has been fighting to protect children without the care of a family, and those at risk of ending up on their own. By working with families, communities and governments, Everychild UK ensure that the simple and practical initiatives are put in place to reach and protect vulnerable children will last long into the future.

HIVOS A fair, free and sustainable world - that is what Hivos, the Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation, wants to contribute to. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos strives for a world in which all citizens - both men and women - have equal access to resources and opportunities for development. Hivos is a Dutch nongovernmental organisation guided by humanist values. A number of its core values are human dignity and self determination, an aversion to dogmas and totalitarian regimes, and a sense of mutual solidarity.

IDH The objective of the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) is to improve the sustainability of international supply chains, by tackling social, ecological and economical bottlenecks for the first chain actors in developing countries. The Initiative is a multi-stakeholder process in which actors from both Northern and Southern (production) countries actively participate.

Singapore International Foundation The Singapore International Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded in 1991. SIF aim to build a better world through shared ideas, skills and experiences, so as to uplift lives and create greater understanding between Singaporeans and world communities. Its activities are organised around three strategic thrusts: working with communities for sustainable development, exchanging ideas for greater understanding, and showcasing Singapore to build ties.

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Location Map

Kathmandu (Nepal) Delhi

Kolkatta

Adilabad

Bangalore Coorg Wayanad Idukki

Tirupur Trichy Palani Hills

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain

Prakruthi Team

Promoting Sustainability across the Value Chain