The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) follows an innovative approach in development cooperation. Rather than sending money to Africa, the Cotton made in Africa Initiative follows the principles of “social business” – as the name of the Foundation says, this is aid by trade, helping people to help themselves by means of commercial activities. The African smallholder farmers who have joined this initiative are partners on an equal footing.
Sustainable development is essential to ensure viability for future generations, and to protect resources that are essential for life. That is the conviction which led Dr. Michael Otto to set up the Aid by Trade Foundation in 2005 – initially with the name “Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry in Developing Countries” (FSAF); in 2007 the Foundation then changed its name to “Aid by Trade Foundation”.
The name says it all – the Foundation has set itself the goal of contributing to improved conditions of life and protection of the environment in developing countries, and aims to achieve that mainly by activating market forces in the sales markets (Europe/USA).
Purpose of the Foundation
The purpose of the Aid by Trade Foundation is to promote environmental protection and improve the social conditions in developing countries. It also aims to improve development cooperation in developing countries by supporting the regional, sustainable cultivation of agricultural and forestry products and their processing. Africa is initially the main focus of the Foundation.
The goals of the Aid by Trade Foundation are reflected in the purpose of the Foundation. Top priority goes to combating poverty and protecting the environment. The Foundation is aimed at development cooperation through trade, with the support of the various partners from the business community, governments and NGOs. It not only supports sustainable cultivation of agricultural and forestry products, but also aims to build up the process chain locally, in order to generate as much value added as possible in the countries of production.
The Aid by Trade Foundation is a non-profit organisation, and does not pursue commercial goals.
The Initiative
The Aid by Trade Foundation seeks to achieve its aims mainly by organisational and financial support to projects and initiatives. It is empowered by its Statutes to take action in a range of different ways and through different initiatives.
Cotton made in Africa is the first, and as yet the only initiative of the Aid by Trade Foundation. It improves the conditions of life of cotton farmers and their families in Africa, and contributes to environmental protection by promoting sustainable methods of cultivation. In recent years, its main focus was on building up strategic partnerships, a Demand Alliance, and the brand “Cotton made in Africa”, and on development of the verification system.
Goals
