A Pathway to Fair Trade in Palestine

The idea of BFTA was conceived back in 2009 after a series of interviews with many artisans who have great products but lack the skills to market their products and reach outside markets. Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans seeks to help our Artisans by equipping them with the knowledge, financial backing and market access needed to achieve fair prices, ensure their livelihood and revitalize this historic industry.

To develop the Palestinian handicraft economy into a sustainable source of income for artisans and their families and to promote fair trade principles throughout Palestine by responding directly to the needs of local artisans

To promote fair trade principles throughout Palestine To connect our local artisans to global markets To identify and overcome obstacles that prevent local artisans from achieving economic security To provide special support to marginalized artisans, especially women, refugees, and the disabled To offer artisans educational and development opportunities

Economic isolation significantly hinders participation in the global economy Decreases in tourism due to political strife directly harm the handicraft sector Many artisans don’t know their rights to fair prices and a healthy work environment Many artisans need further education in order to diversify their products, improve their business skills, and learn to communicate with tourists in English Marginalized artisans, including women, refugees, and the disabled, struggle to turn their handicraft into a sustainable source of income Obtaining raw materials. Middlemen issues.

If tourists don’t come to us, we bring our products to them. So Fair Trading (which benefited many producers so far, and we continue to aim bigger) If we educate our artisans about fair trade and the rights that come along with being a part of it, we will begin to make a noticeable difference in our world. If we continue to offer artisans courses such as English, Design, Computer skills; it will enable them to talk for themselves. If we can help in obtaining their raw materials, artisans will be able to cut down costs and thus sell more.

BFTA artisans create a variety of historically and culturally rich products: Olivewood Carvings Mother of Pearl Recycled Glass Recycled Paper Embroidery Ceramics Blown Glass Olive Oil Soap Handmade Jewelry Glass Paintings Felt Wool

Embroidery done by women

 Field visits  World Fair Trade day in 2012  World Fair Trade day in 2013  “Fair Trade, Fair Peace”  “Buy Local, Buy Fair Trade” in 2014  Fair Trade Principles Conference

In May 2012 and May 2013, BFTA and local partners hosted a celebration of World Fair Trade Day in Bethlehem Attendees had the opportunity to meet artisans directly and learn about fair trade

Fair Trade, Fair Peace is a project funded by the EU that BFTA pursues with local and international partners Through this project, we have identified over 200 Palestinian producers that would benefit from training and development Trainings are focused on helping artisans’ businesses develop into sustainable sources of income for both themselves and their families Through Fair Trade, Fair Peace, BFTA has offered workshops to help artisans diversify products and learn English

As a part of the Fair Trade, Fair Peace project, BFTA co- hosted a conference on fair trade principles on April 27 th 2013 The conference was held a the Alternative Information Center in Beit-Sahour town Many local organizations had the chance to present and to learn from others about fair trade, business management and the environment in general This contributed to BFTA’s work to expand fair trade principles in Palestine

Fair Trade Principles Conference Health Environment Fair Prices

To further promote our artisans’ products, and to put a face to those products. Bringing our customers closer to our producers. It enables customers to meet the artisans and buy directly from them.

Peer Visit Peer Visit Internal Monitoring System Internal Monitoring System Audit visit and reporting Audit visit and reporting Which aimed at educating BFTA’s staff as well as our producers about Fair Trade and it’s principles. How to be really fair. Which aimed at educating BFTA’s staff as well as our producers about Fair Trade and it’s principles. How to be really fair.

Health-wise, we are concerned for the Olive wood and MOP jewelry workshop conditions Economical situation; liquidity issues SAR reports Recommendations WFTO to present one official letter to be used by all members upon finishing of the requirements WFTO to support jointly in creating a healthy and safe working environment

We need to supply workshops with the necessary equipment like ventilations. WFTO is urged to assist us in providing our producers with a better working environment. Caring for the environment begins with caring for our working conditions first. Health and safety first and foremost.

Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans, Milk Grotto Street, Bethlehem, P.O. Box