People & Planet

People & Planet

Social Impact

Mifuko is a social enterprise with a mission of empowering women in rural Africa. Mifuko supports local entrepreneurship and community building through self-help groups. The women in these groups meet weekly to discuss, weave baskets and pass on traditional craft skills. The groups provide loans to members in need, enabling them to invest in family welfare or small business.

Environmental impact

We are committed to actively fighting climate change with two strategies: strengthening people’s resilience to climate change and limiting our own environmental impact. All Mifuko products are handmade from sustainable materials. The entire supply chain is transparent.

Economic impact

In Kenya, climate change has led to recurring droughts making farming, traditionally the primary source of income and sustenance, an unreliable foundation for a stable livelihood. The income our artisans earn from Mifuko basket weaving helps ensure that families are cared for when crops can no longer provide security.

Why an Emission Report?

Carbon footprint calculation serves as a concrete toolto assess and understand the climate impacts ofbusiness operations across the entire value chain. Thefirst calculation establishes a baseline against whichthe effects of future measures can be compared. Itprovides the foundation for identifying emission-intensive areas and thus targeting impactful climateactions.The existence of the report supports both internaldecision-making and external sustainabilitycommunication. Internally, it guides developmentefforts and strategic choices towards lower-emissionpractices. Externally, it enables open and transparentdialogue with customers, partners, and otherstakeholders.Through the calculation, a goal-oriented andknowledge-based emission reduction plan can bedeveloped, supporting Mifuko’s commitment toclimate-resilient business and continuousimprovement. At the same time, it strengthens theconnection to Mifuko’s sustainability values and FairTrade principles.

Sustainable Development Goals

Mifuko wants to contribute to solving the issues humanity faces, such as poverty, gender inequality, pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Our efforts are guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Our primary SDGs are:

Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact

Mifuko Trust

To further support Mifuko’s social mission, Mifuko started a non-profit organisation Mifuko Trust in 2012. Mifuko Trust improves the quality of life of communities in rural East-Kenya through donations and projects related to sanitation and climate change mitigation. Mifuko Trust has built dry toilets in the area, trained women’s groups in soap-making and hygiene practices, and the latest project trains women's communities in new farming techniques and agroforestry to help them adapt to climate change.

Mifuko Trust works with over two dozen self-help groups, reaching approximately 1,300 low-income families. Families have five members on average, so the Trust directly and positively impacts the lives of some 6,500 women, men, and children in the region. Mifuko Trust is a fully independent organisation. Through private and institutional funding, Mifuko Trust works with partners in Finland, Kenya and beyond to implement projects and other initiatives.