About Us
At One World Projects, our mission is to create viable economic alternatives for artisans and their families, and to expand the reaches of ethical and fair trade to include compassionate trade™`, which addresses the most pressing issues that face mankind today. Our focus is, and always has been, firmly on the welfare of our artisans.
We accomplish these goals by importing jewelry, clothing, handbags, house wares, fashion accessories, toys and other gifts from artisans in 25 developing countries across Latin America, Asia and Africa, and then by redistributing those crafts to wholesale buyers and retail consumers across the United States. All of our items are handmade using sustainable methods and materials and fair trade imported, which means artisans are paid a fair and living wage for their work. Since 1992, our network has grown to include more than 11,000 artisans from different parts of the world.
We value:
Partnerships
We consider all of our artisans to be partners, and believe our commitment to them goes beyond just paying a fair and ethical wage. As such, we work with them to provide educational and vocational training, generate product design ideas, help refine artistic and technical skills, ensure access to basic necessities, and open new markets for artisan crafts. Besides, we also channel funds through some of our partners to provide necessary skills' training or vitally needed infrastructure to strengthen their businesses.
Commitment
We are committed to our trading partners. We always strive to go beyond the basic requirements of the Fair Trade Federation to establish long-term relationships, as well as economic and social programs that benefit the entire community, so that, we can address global issues such as poverty, war, drug abuse, women and children’s rights, education, health-care, environmental degradation and promote a spirit of peace.
Helping where it’s needed the most
Each group we work with is unique. Our trading partners created their organizations in order to help the most disadvantaged people in their community – many of whom are abandoned women and single mothers living in slums, refugee camps and in poverty unimaginable to those of us living in the West. Through fair trade practices, our partners are able to transform people's lives.
Paying our way
We pay at least 50% of the total cost of our product orders in advance, interest free. This provides essential finances that artisans need to maintain constant production, and enable them to continue meeting their needs for their next harvest or craft order.
One Worlds Projects is a certified member of the Fair Trade Federation, Green America, and the Aid to Artisan Trade Network.
