Our mission

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND BUSINESS SUPPORT TO MAKE LIVELIHOODS AND LIVING STANDARDS BETTER FOR PEOPLE AS THEY TRADE THEIR WAY OUT OF POVERTY.

WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY AND INNOVATIVELY WITH THOSE WHO SHARE OUR COMMITMENT TO FAIR AND JUST TRADE. WITH A COMMUNITY OF INVESTORS AND THE SUPPORT OF DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS, WE SEEK TO CONTRIBUTE TO A WORLD WHERE JUSTICE IS AT THE HEART OF TRADE FINANCE.

The investment of our members enables us to lend money to businesses across the world. With the support of our stakeholders, we are able to contribute towards building stronger, more sustainable businesses and improving the livelihoods of people in some of the world’s most disadvantaged communities. The businesses we support range from small producer organisations to large scale coffee and cocoa cooperatives and buyers. We offer a variety of lending options that enable our customers to finance orders, access working capital, purchase essential machinery and infrastructure, and make advance payments to farmers and artisans.

In addition to finance provided by Shared Interest Society, Shared Interest Foundation provides technical assistance and business support to fair trade producers. They work with community-based groups to develop income-generating activities to support their livelihoods.

We report on our performance during the year under the main activity areas and outcomes detailed on page 8. These activities and outcomes contribute to the achievement of our mission.

The Society and Foundation have a shared mission and set of values, which is to conduct our business in a manner, which reflects the principles of love, justice and stewardship. We will: All activities and outcomes are reviewed annually by the Social Reporting Team and approved by the Board of Directors.

The key stakeholder groups within each activity area are listed but a full stakeholder list is available on page 63. Read in conjunction with our Directors' Report and Accounts (Appendix 1) and Foundation Accounts (Appendix 2), these activities and operations, as well as our impact, cover all areas of our organisation.

Work co-operatively with our members as we take and share risk

Value and engage our donors and supporters

Encourage the commitment, talents and energy of our staff in an environment of mutual respect

Work to recognised fair trade standards

Respect the diversity of different cultures

Place partnership at the heart of what we do

Carmen Catalina Villablanca Acuña, who is a member of Fairtrade honey and blueberry co-operative, Apicoop, works on her bee farm in Chile.

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