Our history

We used to be called Traidcraft Exchange

We’re proud of our roots in the alternative trade movement and we carry that same passion with us today.

Founded in 1986 as a Christian response to poverty, we’ve helped millions of artisans, workers and farmers to use the power of trade for good. Many of the principles that inspired the original fair trade movement hold true for us today…

  • Trade not aid

    From the beginning, this movement has been about everyone getting access to the power of trade. It’s not about handouts - it’s about hard work and fair reward.

  • Partnership

    We work with a network of ethical businesses in the UK and beyond that share our passion for transforming trade.

    Meet our partners here

  • We go further

    The fair trade system accounts for less than 1% of world trade - we have always been here to demand better for the 99% of trade that falls outside this.

We need your help

It sounds obvious… that trade should value people over profit. But right now, conventional trade gets nowhere near that goal.

So we’re building the biggest ever public record of support for people centred trade - to power this movement forward.

Will you add your support?