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 Faso

On 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 Centre

Regional days in Côte d'Ivoire

The 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 Centre

National Week of Agroecology in Benin

In 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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