Fair Trade Lebanon (FTL) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) born in the year of 2006 out of the will of a few Lebanese who wanted to change the livelihoods of disadvantaged rural populations in Lebanon.

They noticed the existence in rural regions of an underemployed agricultural infrastructure along with outstanding traditional skills. The choice of Fair Trade was based on the desire to create export opportunities for the traditional small producers and food processing cooperatives living in these areas. The association has the dual aim of improving the living conditions of rural populations as well as developing foreign exchanges related to Fair Trade in Lebanon.

FTL implements agricultural development activities in order to strengthen the production and marketing of the products while improving the working conditions of the producers (such as gender equality and no child labor) and applying the principles of Fair Trade (better pay, transparency, pre-financing, long-term partnerships among others). These activities consist in providing trainings, supplying equipment or renovating premises, raising the production chain to international standards, and certifying eligible products (Fairtrade, Organic and TEQ) through a continual and direct dialogue with all the production units.

In parallel, FTL carries out activities to raise awareness of fair trade by giving speeches in schools and universities, introducing its products to HORECA businesses (Hotels, Restaurants and Catering) and by organizing local or national events around the topic of Fair Trade. FTL contributes to the international fair trade networks, especially through its membership to the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) in September 2010 (and by extension to the WFTO Africa Middle-East branch).

As Lebanese cuisine is considered excellent across the world. Lebanese diaspora thoroughly commits itself and fits right into all countries. But often enough, emigrants miss their homeland’s sun and grandma’s recipes.

Besides, Lebanese villages abound of culinary treasures that might disappear in the mists of time. As a result of war, but also rural exodus, recipes get lost, and the culinary traditions as well. Because of the economic situation, people, especially youngsters, are leaving their own towns and then the country.

Whereas... if they believe in it, they can revive the unique lands that they possess.

FAIR TRADE LEBANON believes in it. FTL wants to identify Lebanese regional produces; FTL wants to contribute in promoting the richness and the uniqueness of these local produces.
FAIR TRADE LEBANON wants to make it possible for everyone, especially for the Lebanese diaspora, to purchase an exceptional product that reminds them of the country, the village, the sun and the Mediterranean.
FAIR TRADE LEBANON wants to offer a viable economic model to the farmers and the women’s cooperatives in the distant regions.
FAIR TRADE LEBANON wants to fight against desertification, rural exodus, poverty, and mostly, against despair.
FAIR TRADE LEBANON wants to introduce to the whole world those men and women who struggle hard to promote their ancestral skills, their story.

FAIR TRADE LEBANON wants the Lebanese regional specialities to be everyone’s pride.