Launch of reclaim sustainability! Programme for inclusive and sustainable value chains

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Solidaridad, Fairfood, TrustAfrica and Business Watch Indonesia (BWI) are excited to launch our new joint programme, RECLAIM SUSTAINABILITY! This five-year programme (2021-2025) will be implemented in strategic #partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within their Policy Framework Strengthening Civil Society. With this programme, we strive to foster genuine and inclusive sustainability in global value chains, where the voices of farmers, miners, workers and citizens are well represented in decision making, and civil society is strengthened.

“Engaging with and raising the participation of impacted communities has been a continuous challenge in sustainability initiatives.” Veronika Ratri, Business Watch Indonesia (BWI)

In recent years, sustainability has become something of a buzzword in international supply chains, the media, and consumer marketing. However, this has not yet created the desired impact, for there can be no genuine sustainability when the #people who produce the products consumed by us all continue living in poverty; when natural resources are not managed sustainably, civic space in many countries is limited, and the working conditions of millions of producers are abject. Farmers, miners and workers are key players in tackling major challenges such as poverty and climate change, yet their voices are often unheard. The global COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation of millions of #people worldwide.

“The pandemic is magnifying existing inequalities in #food supply chains. While we are all highly dependent on smallholder farmers and workers for our #food, they find themselves in exceptionally vulnerable positions. We remain optimistic, as we recognise that the world is gaining momentum to actually build up better as we collectively hit rock bottom. With greatly improved awareness for sustainability from everyone involved in global supply chains – consumers, government and private sector – we can make change happen. Our joint programme taps into this momentum using smart innovations, thus heralding an era of truly inclusive supply chains, in which farmers and workers reclaim their rightful voice.” Sander de Jong, Fairfood

SYSTEMIC AND TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE

The enormity of these persisting challenges makes it imperative to advocate for genuine and inclusive sustainability. We must build back better, and systemic and transformative change is essential. With our joint RECLAIM SUSTAINABILITY! programme, we will work on fostering inclusive and sustainable value chains in which the interests, voices and rights of the farmers, workers, miners and citizens are represented and heard in decision making. We will focus our efforts on a number of essential thematic areas: sustainable use of natural resources, decent work, fair value distribution, and sustainable consumption. In all this, gender and social inclusion will also form an essential part of our work.

“Really, how can the producer be first when in fact they are often considered last in practically every aspect of the supply chain? For us in West Africa, we are really upbeat about the RS programme as it promises to create the ambience for us to work cooperatively with other stakeholders in order to elevate the position of farmers and other producers, so they are heard among the first, and have a significant share in the value created by 2025.”  Isaac Gyamfi, #solidaridad West Africa

Further information in the press release to download