What We Do

In a sentence…

International Resources for Fairer Trade is dedicated to empowering farmers, artisans, companies and NGOs to develop business capacity and promote sustainable livelihoods for all of those involved in producing the things we consume every day.

A little more…

Established under the Bombay Public Trust Act in the year 1995, IRFT has been working at the intersection of business and development for almost 15 years, giving farmers and artisans access to mainstream markets while encouraging large businesses to incorporate social responsibility and transparency into their core values. By working with both ends of the supply chain, IRFT ensures a fair deal for all. IRFT has never been about charity. We don’t throw money at a problem and hope it goes away. We understand the lasting power of participating in the market economy, and so we work closely with farmers and artisans to equip them with the skills to sell their products and give them access to a long-term, stable livelihood. Learn how we do this through our Community Business Programme. Big companies know the value of the market economy. But what they often don’t know is that by giving their producers a fair deal, their business improves. IRFT conducts transparent ethical audits, provides standards training, and encourages corporate social responsibility to companies so that they can do the at most for their producers and their profit. Learn how we do this through our Ethical Business Programme. We cannot pursue this work in isolation. Our efforts throughout the supply chain are part of something much greater. IRFT is deeply involved in the Fair Trade movement, and we are working closely with our partners to promote Fair Trade certification in India. Learn how we do this through our Domestic Fair Trade Promotion Programme.

WHO WE ARE

Our Team

Gaynor Pais CEO Post Grad, Mass Comm., MBA, Marketing (NMIMS) A vivacious personality with tremendous foresight; strategic and innovative in decisions. Passionate and daring about Fairness in Trade, she leads a much inspired team, to take the ball and run.     Nirav Shah Programme Manager – IRFT M Phil, Post Graduate in Management of NGOs (EDII) Versatile management skills, unassuming and approachable at all levels. Lends a business perspective to every project that he oversees.     Milan Angane Business Counsellor – Community Business Support BSc (Botany), NGO Management (NMIMS) Down to earth, charismatic trainer at the grass root level. Excellent organizing skills delivered with understated dependability.     Shipra Keswani Business Counsellor – Community Business Support B Com, Post Graduate in Business Management (Aravali Institute of Management) Logical and straightforward business approach to social issues and concerns. Research based innovative thinking sparks her imagination     Jugnu Hydari Business Counsellor – Ethical Business Programme MA (Anthropology) Astute and sensitive, Jugnu adds value as a team player in the Ethical and Agri. Social Compliance Programme. Meticulous in records and reports. A quick learner spurs the team into newer and wider areas of challenge.     Rupali Goswami Programme Manager – IRFT MSW (Shantiniketan), Resource Mobilization and Management ( S.P. Jain) An excellent team player, great motivator. Rupali in her inimitable style is a walking dynamo, leading the Domestic Fair Trade initiatives for IRFT.     Maya Talkar Business Counsellor – Ethical Business Programme BSc (Chemistry) Lead auditor with IRFT with more than 100 odd social compliance audits to her credit. Serious in thought, delivery and action; work being second nature, efficiency is her forte.     Rohini Maniraja Business Counsellor – Ethical Business Programme BSc ( Agriculture), MA in Social Entrepreneurship (TISS) Passionate and committed to social change, looks at each challenge as an opportunity to impact both social and ethical compliance as well as sustainable livelihood projects.     Eleanor Rebello Admin. In-charge, Executive Secretary BA,25 years of corporate experience and more. Efficient ,dependable and a no nonsense approach that ensures discipline and accountability as the order of the day.     Paresh Bagwe Co-ordinator Accounts B Com, Post Graduate in Financial Management (Wellingkar’s) Dependable and reliable almost workaholic. Pre-emptive and meticulous in delivery to all his customers and colleagues.     Naresh The right hand and left hand of the IRFT body. Our efficiency boosters.     Ravidra Gole Admin. & IT Assistant Man on the spot, troubleshooter and an administrative support aligning into place all that needs looking after at IRFT, from pin to a needle, with a smile.         Raju The right hand and left hand of the IRFT body. Our efficiency boosters.   Board of Directors   • Mr.S.N.Pathak, Chairman • Mr.Dipesh Shroff • Mr.Sunil Dalal • Mr.Kailas Dabholkar • Mr.Tushar Dayal • Mrs. (Dr.)Meena Galliara   Partners   International Partners • Traidcraft Exchange (Tx), UK • FAKT Consult for Management, Training and Technologies, Germany   Membership and Associations   • Alliance 21 • Asian Forum on Globalisation and SME Development • Fair Trade Forum-India (FTF-I) • World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), earlier known as International Federation for Alternate Trade (IFAT) • Asia Fair Trade Forum   Funding Support   • Belgium Technical Cooperation (BTC) • Department for International Development (DFID ) • European Commission • Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (Hivos) • Oxfam • Sir Dorabjee Tata Trust Top