Fairtrade International passes ISEAL impact evaluation

Fairtrade International has recently passed an independent evaluation that assessed both its short-term and long-term impact. ISEAL Alliance, a global association for social and environmental standards systems, conducted the appraisal and offered areas for improvement. Suggestions include working on its approach to learning from evaluation data and offering more opportunities for stakeholders to engage. In response, Fairtrade has published on its website an overview of its Monitoring Evaluation and Learning framework and a detailed Theory of Change. The Theory of Change describes the changes Fairtrade wishes to see in the world and how it plans on contributing to this. According to its website: “Fairtrade’s vision is a world in which all small producers and workers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential and decide on their future.” To achieve this vision Fairtrade has identified three long-term goals. These include making trade fair, empowering small producers and workers, and fostering sustainable livelihoods.