What is a World Shop?

A World Shop is a market for handicrafts and food items from small-scale producers in the South. Through selling the products according to the criteria of Fair Trade, information work and educating the public, the World Shops are working to increase the awareness of Fair Trade and the need for a more fair global trade.

The main aim is to give small-scale producers in the South an opportunity to influence and develop their own production, their circumstances under which they live and work and to develop their local community. In other words, Fair Trade is way of self-help, not a kind of development aid.

In a World Shop you can find unique high quality handicraft, exciting food products, toys, music instruments and much more. The products come from co-operatives, small companies and organizations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In the World Shops you will get more information about the products and about the people producing them.

Through shopping in a World Shop you will not only get a beautiful product, your shopping also contribute directly so that people get a decent income. About five millions of people throughout the world are gaining from the Fair Trade!

The World Shops are in most cases run by a NGO and are depending on volunteers. Every World Shop is independent, but co-operates within he national association.

The logotype (the green globe) and the name “World Shop” are guarantees that the shop is working according to Fair Trade. In Sweden there are about 40 World Shops. In Europe, mostly within the EU, there are about 2.700 Workshops with 100.000 people involved in the work.

Do you want to work for Fair Trade? Work in a shop, inform the public and consumer or participate in campaign activities? Contact your local World Shop.