The WFTO Guarantee System establishes compliance with the WFTO Fair Trade Principles, covering everything from the business model, to the organisational structure, operations and supply chain.
As a WFTO guaranteed member, Mifuko is committed to the 10 Principles of the WFTO. We consistently strive to apply them to their fullest in everything we do. The following a brief overview of how we use these principles in our work.
We ensure all payments are passed on to the artisans, and we strive to establish long-term relationships that are based on trust and mutual respect. Mifuko provides 50 % advance payment on placed orders, and the remaining half is paid when the order is completed. Further, we never cancel orders or reject deliveries.
We follow an inclusive business model that makes creating positive change in low-income communities a fundamental strategy for success. The starting point is establishing a fair payment in exchange for the products we get from artisans. We use Living Wage Ladder tool provided by the WFTO to help determine payments, but ultimately, the amount is agreed upon together with the artisan’s local community.
The majority of Mifuko’s artisans are women between 29 and 70 years of age who are members of self-help groups which are essential to building gender equality. Although the majority of the artisans are women, all adults, regardless of gender, are welcome to join self-help groups and weave baskets for Mifuko.
We work to make producing Mifuko products as safe as possible. The materials, which are free of toxins and safe to handle, are delivered to the artisans, and finished products are collected from the villages. This saves artisans from having to make potentially dangerous trips to markets. Artisans can also work when it suits them best, such as during the farming off-season or while breast feeding.
To raise awareness of the importance of fair trade, Mifuko promotes the WFTO through its digital communications, product stories, as well as at exhibitions and events. Fairness permeates everything we do, and we make it point to share the importance of that with our customers and partners.
Mifuko products are handmade using local and recycled materials whenever possible. Packaging materials are kept to a minimum, and optimal transport (along with efficient packing) help minimise our carbon footprint. We let nothing go to waste. Timeless designs and high-quality construction ensure our products have a long and useful life.
Read more about our Fair Trade practices and Mifuko
Learn more about what it means to be radically sustainable and have a positive impact.
Read our latest sustainability report to learn about the impact of our business.
Mifuko Trust was founded to tackle poverty and increase the well-being of our artisans.
Learn more about Mifuko and who we are, and how we do business where everyone wins.
