Elementary School Children in Côte d’Ivoire participate in a musical performance put on by their classmates. Cocoa farm workers used Fair Trade Community Development Funds to facilitate the ceremonial distribution of new school kits for students.
Leading with Impact During Back-to-School Season
Back-to-school season is here, and we’re taking the opportunity to share how the Fair Trade community is expanding access to education around the globe through Community Development Funds. Our dedicated brand partners provide resources that leaders in producer communities are investing to help kids enroll and stay in school, pay for school uniforms and other fees, and create educational opportunities for adults. These education initiatives are setting upcoming generations up for success while supporting community leaders as they build strong, thriving futures.
Here’s how some of our partners are making an impact:
NatureSweet
Agricultural workers at a NatureSweet farm identified a challenge that many seasonal employees face – inconsistent work and income during off-seasons. They found that 82% of community members are interested in studying or learning a trade to become self-employed and generate job placement projects for the community. However, without stable earnings, pursuing further education can feel out of reach. Workers decided to use Community Development Funds to address this issue, and help the community pursue career-boosting education, setting them up for success in the off-season.
In partnership with the Ministry of Public Education, CECATI (a local vocational center), and the nonprofit Transforming Better Communities for the Future, NatureSweet workers launched a program to help members complete their upper secondary education at little or no cost.
Many workers are now pursuing high school diplomas which are crucial for their abilities to build promising careers. This program helps break cycles of exclusion while creating long-term professional opportunities for agricultural families.
I’m originally from the community of Zapotiltic, Jalisco. We’ve been working in the packaging area here at the NatureSweet plant in Zapotlán for nearly seven years. Currently, I also serve as the President of the Fair Trade Committee. In 2025, as part of the Fair Trade Premium initiative, we have three key projects at the NatureSweet plant. These projects are focused on housing and education. We’ll offer scholarships for higher education. We’ll provide support to reduce educational gaps in basic education. We’ll also have projects to support upper secondary and higher education. Additionally, there’s a maintenance scholarship, a very important type of support that will help children of workers currently studying middle school, high school, or university meet their needs while continuing their education. We’re also planning some incentives for colleagues who still need to finish primary or secondary school.”
— Rogelio Vargas Chacón
Workers at a Fair Trade Certified factory voting on how to use Community Development Funds
Topo Designs
For many working families, education expenses like tuition, uniforms, and other school supplies can weigh heavily. That’s why workers at Topo’s Fair Trade Certified Factories used Community Development Funds to reimburse education expenses for the children of workers. From tuition fees to textbooks, these funds are easing the burden and keeping kids in school.
The community also recognized the need for support with online education. A second initiative provided resources and training to help students adapt to virtual classrooms, ensuring no child was left behind in a rapidly changing academic world. These investments are helping families support their children as they navigate school and explore what education can unlock for them.
Community members at Peter Paul Coconut Manufacturers
Peter Paul Candelaria and Peter Paul Sorsogon
Peter Paul Coconut Manufacturers in the Philippines have been Fair Trade Certified for over a decade. They supply many Fair Trade partners, including Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and Thrive Market, with high-quality coconut products. They also put high priority on education, helping youth in the community enroll in school and stick with their education all the way through university.
With support from Fair Trade Community Development Funds, Peter Paul has helped fund:
- Solar power systems for 52 households, providing light for children to be able to complete their homework in the evening hours
- Scholarships for students in need, including scholarships for higher education
- School supplies like notebooks, backpacks, and uniforms
- Assistance with exam fees, including board exams essential for university and vocational certifications
These targeted investments have supported both students and their parents, helping families manage education expenses that may otherwise be out of reach.
By reducing the financial strain of education, Peter Paul is helping uplift communities and unlock powerful producer voices.
Education Builds Opportunity
We’re proud to stand alongside workers, farmers, and brand partners committed to the power of education. When you support Fair Trade Certified products, you directly support communities in accessing educational opportunities. This means uplifting worker expertise, helping kids succeed at school, and securing bright, innovative solutions to pressing global issues.
All of the stories above were made possible through Community Development Funds. Learn more about Community Development Funds and how you can support Fair Trade.
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