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Fair & sustainanle trade on the political agenda
Evi COREMANS | 15/05/2025
We don't just raise awareness by awareness raising consumers; Enabel's TDC also works at the political level.National levelMemorandum With elections at European, national, regional and local level, 2024 was the ideal moment to put responsible consumption on the political agenda. With TDC's support, the main Belgian fair trade organisations and companies in the sector drew up a memorandum on fair trade, with recommendations and demands at the various levels of government. These are commitments that parliaments and municipal councils can make or that executive bodies can include in their policy statements.Interparliamentary working groupIn the previous legislative period, an interparliamentary working group on fair trade was established. This informal working group aims to make legislative progress on issues that promote fairer and more sustainable trade.In March, the memorandum was presented with a number of concrete proposals, such as giving priority to fair trade products in public procurement or evaluating the desirability of legal recognition of fair trade. In June, the interparliamentary working group met again to discuss a bill on the legal recognition and tax incentives for fair trade, as well as the role of voluntary initiatives for sustainable value chains.
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Awareness raising campaigns in Africa
Evi COREMANS | 08/05/2025
TDC is not only committed to raising awareness in Belgium, but also in African countries. Through a call for proposals in 2023, four campaigns/events were selected that promote responsible consumption and production in African countries. Three of these took place in 2024.National Fair Trade Day in Burkina FasoOn 27 and 28 November 2024, the 4th edition of the National Fair Trade Days (JNCE) took place in Bobo Dioulasso. Approximately 300 participants, including representatives from ministries, farmers' organisations and the private sector, attended the event. The event was organised by the Plateforme Nationale du Commerce Equitable du Burkina Faso (PNCE-B) and addressed the major challenges of insecurity and the consequences of climate change.Innovations were presented, including a pyrolysis boiler to combat deforestation. The convincing results led the government to commit to making its technicians available. In addition, synergies were developed between producers to meet European orders. The JNCE is an essential initiative to try to find solutions to the current crisis. It is also useful to clear up certain misunderstandings. For example, the government of Burkina Faso recently announced its intention to tax fair trade premiums, which are wrongly considered profits.More info: The National Fair Trade Days in Burkina Faso attempt to break the deadlock in fair trade - Trade for Development CentreRegional days in Côte d'IvoireThe first Regional Fair Trade Day in Côte d'Ivoire took place on 11 September 2024 in San Pedro. The event brought together around 100 producers and various key players, including local authorities, NGOs, researchers and representatives of the private sector. Through panels and roundtable discussions, producers learned a great deal on the traceability of agricultural products, financing mechanisms, the use of biofertilisers and biopesticides, the African standard for sustainable cocoa ARS-1000 and the European regulation on deforestation (EUDR) and its implications. "The Fair Trade Days are an initiative of the Ivorian Fair Trade Network RICE to raise awareness among stakeholders in the agricultural sector and the general public about the principles, benefits and impact of fair trade in Côte d'Ivoire. By decentralising this event (replacing the National Days with several Regional Days), we are forging closer ties with cooperatives and producers to promote fairer trading practices," said Marie-Thérèse Tanoh, coordinator of the network. The success of this first Regional Day strengthened RICE in its plea to the Ivorian authorities – in particular the ConseilCafé-Cacao (CCC) – for more support for cooperatives in their efforts to comply with international regulations.More info: A look back at the first regional Fair Trade Day in Côte d'Ivoire - Trade for Development CentreNational Week of Agroecology in BeninIn Benin, more than 300 participants took part in the first edition of the National Week of Agroecology (SNAE), which took place at the end of 2024 on the campuses of the universities of Abomey-Calavi and Parakou. The event consisted of three parts:A dozen papers on scientific research highlighting the effectiveness of agroecological technologies. The best were published in the form of technical data sheets and distributed via a digital platform.Discussion panels, which enabled agroecological actors to exchange views with the CEOs of public institutions and NGOs. In particular, to explain how an innovation is transferred from research to production, without forgetting the administrative formalities involved in obtaining registration and marketing approval.An exhibition with 40 stands gave farmers the opportunity to discover agroecological innovations and technologies.In Benin, agroecology now has its own promotion and awareness week. More information is available on the online platform. More info: In Benin, agroecology now has its own advocacy and awareness-raising week - Trade for Development Centre
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Producer support: coaching & financial support
Evi COREMANS | 08/05/2025
In Africa, TDC provides support to organisations in the social economy, mainly to producers who are united in cooperatives or organisations. These enterprises prioritise social and/or environmental objectives over profit maximisation, enabling them to invest more in sustainable production, better working conditions and inclusive growth.Specifically, TDC supports producer organisations active in coffee, cocoa and cashew nuts. In the following African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Uganda. The aim of the support is to make these organisations more sustainable, both economically, socially and ecologically.TDC reaches this target group in two ways:TDC provides direct support to producer organisationsTDC also supports Business Support Organisations (BSOs) so that they, in turn, can better assist producer organisations. This creates a leverage effect, enabling TDC to increase its impact by also strengthening the local supply of support services for entrepreneurship.The support offered by TDC takes two forms: on the one hand, there is a coaching programme and on the other hand TDC provides financial support.Coaching programmeThe coaching programme is a participatory and personalised coaching programme that aims to enable producer cooperatives and small businesses to take control of their own development. The coaching provides them with the resources, knowledge and skills to develop their own strategies, to do business and to innovate, thereby increasing their sales and income. TDC is convinced that this is the only way for small businesses to achieve sustainable growth. The coaching is provided on site, at the organisation, by specialists in each of these three areas:Marketing: The marketing coaching aims to strengthen commercial management skills so that organisations have the knowledge and tools they need to better enter markets. This includes positioning, market access, communication, sales, etc.Business management: Coaching in financial and business management aims to strengthen their organisational and financial management skills so that they can better manage their daily activities and financial resources.Sustainability: Coaching in sustainability will enable organisations to integrate issues of ecological sustainability and decent work into their day-to-day management.Financial supportTDC also offers subsidies to producer organisations: This is financial support for the implementation of their strategy and/or action plan to make their organisation more sustainable and ensure that they (more) comply with the principles of a living income and decent work.Goal Through all these actions, TDC contributes to making these organisations more sustainable. Both economically, because TDC's support professionalises their business management and ensures better market access. This makes the organisation more efficient and enables it to enter the market on better terms, thereby increasing its income. As these are social economy organisations, economic strengthening also contributes to social and environmental strengthening. When organisations are stronger, they are better able to provide services to producers, which benefits the social aspect. These organisations are important links in providing access to healthcare, education, financing, etc. These organisations are also supported in sustainable production methods, which limits the impact of their production on the environment.The support also enables the organisations to prepare and organise themselves within the framework of European legislation on deforestation and due diligence, so that these producers can continue to access European markets.30 organisations receive data capturingIn 2023, Enabel's TDC launched a call for applications for SMEs that want to be considered for TDC's coaching programme in human rights and environmental due diligence, marketing or business management.In 2024, 34 organisations were selected: 30 of them will first receive a preliminary programme in data capturing. The other four are already known to TDC from previous collaborations.This provides the organisations with relevant information and insights that they can use to strengthen their structure, but it also helps TDC to collect the necessary data that the jury needs to make a final decision on whether or not the organisation will be selected for the full coaching programme.The jury will take place in 2025.5 BSOs will follow the full coaching programmeVia a seperate call for proposals, 5 buiness support organisations were selected for the full TDC coaching track. This may involve strengthening content or strengthening teaching methods (techniques/methods for guidance, animation, coaching, knowledge transfer, etc.).10 producer organisations and 8 BSOs receive financial supportThey will receive a maximum of €90,000 per project, to be rolled out between 2025 and 2027.The following activities may be eligible for TDC funding:Calculating the gap between household income and living wages and drawing up an action plan to reduce this gap;Strengthening the position of producer organisations vis-à-vis primary buyers, e.g. mapping the supply chain or providing support in contract negotiations;Promoting climate-smart agriculture, such as agroecology, organic farming, renewable energy, etc.;Diversifying production for own consumption or for sale on (local) markets;Developing instruments for collecting and reporting data in accordance with European requirements (greater traceability)Implementing traceability systems, e.g. collecting geolocation data.Want to know more about the organisations TDC supported in its previous programmes? Please check www.tdc-enabel.be > producer support > supported organisations
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Trade for Development Centre's presentation video
Evi COREMANS | 28/04/2025
The Trade for Development Centre envisions "a world in which sustainable consumption and production go hand in hand."Discover Enabel's Trade for Development Centre in this 2 minute-video: its support programme for cooperatives and business support organisations (BSOs), its awareness-raising campaigns in Belgium and its support for advocacy campaigns in Africa.Check TDC's You Tube channelfor the video in French: Vidéo de présentation (Voice over et sous-titres en FR) or for the video with Dutch subtitels: Voorstelling Trade for Development Centre (NL)
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Fair Trade Week
Evi COREMANS | 28/04/2025
The Fair Trade Week is TDC's best-known awareness raising campaign for the general public. This annual campaign, that takes place at the beginning of October, puts fair trade and fair trade products in the spotlight for 10 days throughout the whole of Belgium.Every year, TDC organises a project competition inviting associations, schools, municipalities, etc. to come up with an original activity that raises awareness on the ecological and social impact of our consumption. The most original activities can receive funding of up to €4,000. This results in a wide range of activities, from debates, workshops and fair fashion fairs to cooking competitions, there is something for everyone!The more than a 100 fair trade activities that take place during the campaign are gathered in an online calendar at www.weekvandefairtrade.be / www.semaineducommerceequitable.be. You will also find all press releases and news items about the campaign there.
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Big milestone ahead: Pillar 2 of the TEI OP-VET programme is kicking off
Loïc FIERMANS | 07/04/2025
Starting strong at the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) 2025) in Kampala, Uganda, from 8 - 10 April 2025. It’s our first regional exchange, and we’re stepping into one of the most relevant spaces for our work - bringing together renewable energy investors, private sector players, and policy actors under one roof. At EAIF, we’re hosting a targeted workshop with around 140 participants. The focus? Creating real links between the skills sector and private companies in renewable energy. We’re looking at how vocational training can better align with the jobs being created in this fast-growing field and how to make those connections more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable. That’s what Pillar 2 of this TEI is about: supporting public-private collaboration and regional dialogue that leads to opportunity-driven skills development. EAIF gives us the perfect opportunity to promote the TEI OP-VET approach, start conversations that matter, and engage with key actors like GET.invest, ARE, and Team Europe partners. This isn’t a one-off, either. EAIF is just the starting point. It marks the launch of a series of regional exchanges that will position the Opportunity-Driven VET approach at the heart of green investments and sustainable job creation across Africa. TEI OP-VET Pillar 2 is officially in motion. And Uganda is just the beginning. #TEIOPVET #EAIF2025 #SkillsForJobs #GreenEnergy #TeamEurope #GlobalGateway #RenewableEnergy #VET #PublicPrivatePartnerships
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Belgium : Gender Gamification Workshop
Eva COUDYZER | 14/03/2025
The Digital for Girls and Women project, financed by Enabel and supported by the D4D Hub, organized a 2-day capacity building workshop on the topic of Gender-transformative digital cooperation. The workshop took place in Brussels on October 8 and 9 2024. More information can be found here: Gender Gamification Workshop | D4D Access
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Webinar: Digital inclusion for migrants, refugees and indigenous communities
Eva COUDYZER | 27/02/2025
The Digital for Girls and Women project organised a webinar on the inclusion of minorities in the digital space. The webinar took place on July 10, 2024 by Micky Elange, Gender Expert at Enabel. With contributions by:Audrey-Maude Perreault, IDIL Secretariat UNESCOEddie Avila, Rising Voices, Director Global VoicesJohn Warnes, Senior Innovation Officer, UNHCRKaye-Maree Dunn, Managing Director Making Everything Achievable (MEA)The webinar can be watched here: https://youtu.be/Q5E2Czvqw2o?si=l9lySKiGRTUhk3AS
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Webinar: LGTBQIA+ communities' inclusion in the digital era
Eva COUDYZER | 27/02/2025
The Digital for Girls and Women project, in collaboration with the D4D Hub, organised a webinar on the inclusion of LGTBQIA+ communities in the digital space. The webinar took place on June 19, 2024 by Micky Elanga, Gender Expert at Enabel. With contributions by:Bandy Kiki, LGTBQIA+ Activist UK/CameroonSteph Niaupari, Equality Outreach Manager, GrindrHassel Fellas, Data, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, ILDAChioma Ogwuegbu, Program Officer for West Africa, Free to be Me, HivosThe recording can be watched here: https://youtu.be/CqE81fjp2KY?si=Q45H9mKakLi9xTXK
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Connected Africa Summit 2024: Plenary panel discussions
Eva COUDYZER | 27/02/2025
Panel discussions on the topic of Unlocking she-tech potential for sustainable and inclusive tech driven economy in Africa, driving social change navigating challenges for a sustainable and cultivating digital leadership.Moderator: Fiona Asonga, Chief Executive Officer, TESPOC (Technology Service Providers of Kenya).Panelists:Sen. Miraj Abdillahi, Kenyan Nominated Senator for UDA and Vice-chair of the Senate ICT Committee (Kenya)H.E. Henriette Geiger, EU Ambassador to Kenya.Annette Mutuku, Board member of the ICT Authority, KenyaIdah Nganga, Senior advisor UNESCO, president of the Women in STEM Leaders Org.Romnanah Sombah, Education Offi cer at UNICEF KenyaThe transcription of the panel discussion can be accessed here: Connected Africa Summit 2024: Plenary Panel Discussions
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Connected Africa Summit 2024: Keynote speeches Gender session
Eva COUDYZER | 27/02/2025
The Digital for Girls and Women team participated in the plenary session organized at the Connected Africa Summit 2024.The plenary session included keynote speeches by:Ann Okello, Presidential DigitTalent Programme (Nairobi, Kenya)Zeinab Mohamed, M-PESA Foundation Academy (Thika, Kenya)H.E. Henriette Geiger, Ambassador of the EU to KenyaH.E. Peter Maddens, Ambassador of Belgium to KenyaThe transcript of the speeches can be accessed here: Connected Africa Summit 2024: Keynote Speeches | D4D Access
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Connected Africa Summit 2024: Closing the Gender Digital Divide
Eva COUDYZER | 27/02/2025
The Digital for Girls and Women team partnered with the Connected Africa Summit in Nairobi to coordinate a series of panel discussions on the topic of the gender digital divide. African and European gender experts, students from Thika Technical Institute and the Nairobi Technical Training Institute, as well as the EU and Belgian Ambassador, were invited to participate in the discussions and the plenary meetings.The D4GW team took the opportunity to interview participants, gathering their perspectives on the challenges women and girls face in ICT and potential solutions to bridge the gender digital divide.Participants:Shamira Ahmed, Chair of the D4D Hub Civil Society and Academia Advisory Group (South Africa)Ieva Jākobsone, Founder of She Rebuilds the World and Professor at the John Cabot University (Rome, Italy)Meryem Kassou, Founder of Digitis (Morocco)Noelie Kiswendsida Kouraogo, Director of Mys'TIC (Burkina Faso)H.E. Peter Maddens, Ambassador of Belgium to KenyaPaul Mbua, Chair of the D4D Hub Private Sector Advisory Group (Cameroon)Irene Mwendwa, Executive Director at Pollicy (Uganda)Angela Ndanu, Final-year student in information science at Thika Technical Training Institute (Kenya)Ada Nduka Oyom, Founder of She Code Africa (Nigeria)Onica Nonhlanhla Makwakwa, Digital Inclusion & Gender Equality Specialist (South Africa)Millicent Obara, Instructor at the Thika Technical Training Institute, ICT-department (Nairobi, Kenya).Erly Sheillah Odhiambo, first-year student in computer science at Thika Technical Training Institute (Kenya)Vanessa Onek Tandekwiri, Consultant with Startup UgandaMalick Tapsoba, Digitalization and innovation expert, Digital for Girls and Women (Burkina Faso)Margaret Wangui, second-year student in ICT at Nairobi Technical Training Institute (Kenya)Jesca Tracy Wanyony, second-year student and Thika Technical Training Institute, KenyaThe reports can be accessed here: Connected Africa Summit 2024: Closing the Gender Digital
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The Path to Leadership for Women and Girls in ICT
Eva COUDYZER | 09/02/2025
At the Connected Africa Summit 2024, experts and students explain how they build careers in ICT through pathways in education and entrepreneurship.The video features interviews with:Jesca Tracy Wanyony, Erly Sheilla Odhiambo, Angeline Ndanu, students from the Technical Training Institute in Nairobi.Millicent Obara, instructor at the Thika Technical Training Institute in Nairobi.Margaret Wangui, instructor and students from the Nairobi Technical Institute.H.E. Peter Maddens, Ambassador of Belgium to Kenya.Ada Nduka Oyom (Nigeria), Executive Director of She Code Africa.Shamira Ahmed (South Africa), Chair of the D4D Hub civil society and academia advisory group for Africa.Vanessa Onek Tandekwiri, Consultant with Startup Uganda.Video: The Path to Leadership for Women and Girls in ICT | D4D
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Reducing the Gender Digital Divide
Eva COUDYZER | 09/02/2025
At the Connected Africa Summit 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, experts highlight the significant challenges that women and girls face in accessing digital technologies across many African countries, with particular difficulties encountered in rural areas. The video features interviews with:Vanessa Onek Tandekwiri, Consultant with Startup UgandaProf. Ieva Jakobsone (Latvia), Founder of She Rebuilds The World Ada Nduka Oyom (Nigeria), Executive Director of She Code AfricaNoélie Kiswendsida Kouraogo (Burkina Faso), President of Mys'TIC AssociationMalick Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Expert in entrepreneurship and digital attitudes for the Digital for Girls and Women project, Enabel (Belgium)Onica Nonhlanhla Makwakwa (South Africa), Digital inclusion and gender equality expertVideo:Reducing the Gender Digital Divide | D4D Access
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Access to Technologies for Women and Girls
Eva COUDYZER | 09/02/2025
At the Connected Africa Summit 2024 in Nairobi, experts highlight the significant challenges that women and girls face in accessing digital technologies across many African countries, with particular difficulties encountered in rural areas. The video features interviews with:Vanessa Onek Tandekwiri, Consultant with Startup UgandaProf. Ieva Jakobsone (Latvia), Founder of She Rebuilds The World Ada Nduka Oyom (Nigeria), Executive Director of She Code AfricaNoélie Kiswendsida Kouraogo (Burkina Faso), President of Mys'TIC AssociationMalick Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Expert in entrepreneurship and digital attitudes for the Digital for Girls and Women project, Enabel (Belgium)Onica Nonhlanhla Makwakwa (South Africa), Digital inclusion and gender equality expertWatch the video: Access to Technologies for Women & Girls | D4D Access
