Today, we honour the heart of our global community — farmers and workers everywhere who labour with strength, resilience, and dedication to build a better, fairer world. At Fairtrade NAPP, we deeply value your contributions and remain committed to fair wages, safe working conditions, and a more just, sustainable future for all. A special message from our CEO, Bindu Sukumarapillai, reminds us why this day matters.

In a rapidly changing agricultural landscape, the empowerment of youth is no longer a choice—it is a necessity. Recognizing this, Fairtrade NAPP has launched a comprehensive Youth Skill-Building and Leadership Training program in Sri Lanka, aimed at equipping young members of Fairtrade-certified Small Producer Organizations (SPOs) with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead their communities into a sustainable and equitable future.

In February 2025, a two-day capacity-building workshop was held in Rasi Salai District, Sisaket Province, Thailand, bringing together key producer organizations from the region. This initiative marked a significant step forward in enhancing cooperative governance and product standards for Fairtrade-certified producers of coffee, herbs, herbal teas, spices, and rice.

In Dalauda, a small town in the district of Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, a new chapter in ethical farming is taking root. With oilseeds as their main product, farmers of the newly formed Ashtamukhi Producer Company Limited (PCL) are gearing up for a journey that transcends mere certification—it’s a leap toward fairness, dignity, and global impact.

Fairtrade NAPP recently participated in BharatTex Expo 2025, India’s largest global textile trade fair, held in New Delhi. Organised by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, in partnership with 12 Indian Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), the event became a strategic platform for Fairtrade NAPP to showcase the strength and spirit of smallholder cotton producers and to amplify Fairtrade’s mission of sustainability, transparency, and fairness in textile value chains.

Fairtrade NAPP (Network of Asia and Pacific Producers) is actively working to expand the footprint of Fairtrade products in the Global South. Our goal is to drive market growth and boost sales of Fairtrade-certified products from the Asia Pacific region.

Fairtrade NAPP recently organized a field visit to this vibrant region, aiming to transform how sugarcane producers perceive and approach their work. This wasn’t just a visit; it was an opportunity to rewrite their narrative — one that weaves together sustainability, fairness, and empowerment.

Fairtrade NAPP, as a strong advocate for ethical trade and equitable growth, has consistently worked to promote the rights and capacities of producers and workers across the Asia-Pacific region. Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI), Sialkot in August 2023, Fairtrade NAPP has actively engaged in a series of collaborative initiatives, including WE EXHIBIT 2023, 2024, and now, WE EXHIBIT 2025.

Organized by Fairtrade NAPP (FTNAPP) in collaboration with ECFFPA and aligned with the standards set by ISEAL, this two-day workshop was a beacon of knowledge and empowerment.

The Introductory Workshop on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD), held in Bangalore, India, on December 10th and 11th, 2024, brought together ten enthusiastic participants, including small cotton producers and board members from various producer organizations.

Fairtrade NAPP, with the support of Fairtrade Germany, organized a three-day introductory session on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) that brought together tea producers from various organizations to explore the critical intersections of human rights, environmental sustainability, and ethical business practices.

The workshop brought together ten participants, including small cotton producers and board members of Chetna Organics Agricultural Producers Limited. Through interactive sessions, group activities, and a compelling case study, the participants delved into the core principles of HREDD.

The goal of the training program was to provide farmers with hands-on learning experiences and expert guidance to improve their coffee processing methods. Over the course of five days, participants were introduced to a wide range of post-harvest techniques, beginning with foundational knowledge on the coffee cherry ripening cycle.

The program focuses on two primary activities: improving a multi-purpose evacuation center and restoring coastal ecosystems through mangrove planting. The evacuation center, located in Negros Occidental, provides a secure refuge during natural disasters, doubling as a community office during calm times.

Sri Lanka recently witnessed a significant milestone in its Fairtrade journey as producers and exporters gathered in Kurunegala for an Awareness Workshop on Fairtrade Certification Processes.

In a pivotal moment for Sri Lanka’s Fairtrade landscape, a stakeholders’ meeting was held in Colombo in December 2024. Organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Fairtrade Network of Asia Pacific Producers (NAPP), this high-profile event brought together leading voices from the public and private sectors.

The Seoul International Café Show 2024 (SCAK), held in the heart of South Korea, provided a transformative platform for small-scale coffee producer organizations (SPOs) supported by Fairtrade NAPP.

In the serene landscapes of Kaloran District, nestled within Central Java Province, a transformative journey began. At the heart of this effort was Koperasi Agro Bumbu Qtha, a cooperative deeply committed to sustainable agriculture and the well-being of its members.