Calling all chocolate fans! Join our campaign to ensure that cocoa farmers are paid fairly for their work and are able to live a dignified life. It’s easy to join in. Read on to find out how.
What is Fairtrade Fortnight?
25 February – 10 March 2019
For two weeks each year, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to celebrate the people who grow our food, people who live in some of the poorest countries in the world and who are often exploited and badly paid. This year we are focusing on the people – in particular the women – who grow the cocoa in the chocolate we love so much.
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She Deserves £1.98
£1.98* is the amount a cocoa farmer in West Africa needs to earn each day in order to achieve a living income. Currently, a typical cocoa farmer in Cote d’Ivoire lives on less than 78p** a day. Almost all cocoa farmers in West Africa live in poverty, despite some chocolate companies making massive profits.
For the women the situation is even worse. They may plant and harvest on the farm, look after children, carry water, collect wood, cook and clean for the family, and transport the cocoa beans to market but they are likely to see even less money for their work.
This is why we at Fairtrade are campaigning for a living income to become a reality for cocoa farmers in West Africa. If we can work together with governments, chocolate companies and retailers to make the commitments and policies necessary, then we can make it happen.
What is a living income?
A living income means enough money to live a simple but dignified life, paying for essentials such as clothing, medicine and school. We believe this is not a luxury but a human right.
For the two weeks of Fairtrade Fortnight 2019, our campaign is telling the story of cocoa farmers in Côte D'Ivoire, through the eyes of women.
She Deserves running water, She Deserves a doctor, #SheDeserves a living income.
Living income explained
What should I do now?
Here are 7 ways you can get involved with our She Deserves campaign.
1. Sign the petition
Fairtrade is calling on the UK Government to make sure that our trade with developing countries puts poverty reduction first, delivering living incomes for all. The petition opens for signatures on Monday 25 February. Sign up to emails to be reminded on the day.
2. Host an event
Get together with friends or colleagues to draw attention to the issues affecting cocoa farmers.
Over a Fairtrade hot chocolate and slice of Fairtrade chocolate cake, let your friends know why they should choose Fairtrade. Most people are unaware of the extreme injustices in the cocoa supply chain but by choosing Fairtrade we can begin to make a difference. Start organising your event by setting a date in Facebook.
You could ask your guests to donate £1.98 (the amount per day that farmers need to earn to achieve a living income). See 3. below for how to send in your donations.
Order event accessories
Banana cake recipe
3. Fundraise for Fairtrade
The Fairtrade Foundation is a charity and relies on donations to help us fulfill our mission. Why not organise a bake sale or raffle? Here are some fun ideas for fundraising.
8 great fundraising ideas
Order a fundraising box
How to donate online
4. Share on social media
Follow us on social media and share our campaign content to help us raise awareness of the issues.
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
5. Choose Fairtrade Chocolate
Perhaps one of the simplest ways to support cocoa farmers around the world, is by buying Fairtrade chocolate and cocoa. While this doesn’t immediately solve all the issues, keeping up the demand allows farmers to sell more of their cocoa on Fairtrade terms thus increasing their income.
6. Join the Facebook event
If you are on Facebook, you can keep up to date with the events happening up and down the country - including an exciting "secret" pop-up hot chocolate cafe in London, by "attending" our Fortnight Facebook Event.
7. Sign up to email
Thank you for your support and helping to make Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 our biggest yet! Sign up to emails to keep up to date with all things Fairtrade. We look forward to celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight with you from February 25.
#SheDeserves
*WIP estimation based on the Living Income Community of Practice
**This is the estimated daily income per household member based on a typical cocoa farming household
