AID BY TRADE FOUNDATION (ABTF)
The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the social, economic, and environmental conditions of smallholder farmers and workers in global textile supply chains. The foundation was founded in 2005 and is based in Hamburg, Germany.
The primary initiative of the Aid by Trade Foundation is the development and management of the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative. CmiA is a certification and verification system that promotes sustainable cotton farming practices in Africa. It works with smallholder farmers to enhance their agricultural productivity, reduce environmental impact, and improve the social conditions of cotton farming communities.
The foundation collaborates with stakeholders across the textile value chain, including farmers, traders, textile companies, retailers, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to promote sustainable and responsible cotton production. It provides training, knowledge transfer, and capacity-building programs to support farmers in adopting best practices in agriculture, including resource efficiency, soil management, and pest control.
Through the CmiA initiative, the Aid by Trade Foundation promotes fair trade principles, gender equality, and the improvement of living conditions for cotton farming communities. The foundation focuses on empowering smallholder farmers, providing them with market access, and facilitating the integration of sustainable practices into their farming operations.
The Aid by Trade Foundation also engages in advocacy, research, and awareness-raising activities to promote sustainable cotton production and responsible sourcing practices within the textile industry. They work towards creating a more transparent and socially responsible supply chain that benefits both producers and consumers.
As a non-profit organization, the Aid by Trade Foundation relies on funding from various sources, including donations, grants, and partnerships with public and private sector entities. The foundation's primary objective is to make a positive impact on the lives of smallholder farmers and workers, rather than generating profits for its own benefit.
This is a benchmark to help companies understand which standards should be part of a sustainable procurement plan. Further, the benchmark allows standard setting schemes, i.e. "Standard Owners", to benchmark their performance versus industry peers.
