partnerships
Unique Products, Unique Business
Fair trade provides under- and unemployed artisans with an opportunity to earn vital income and improve their
quality of life by establishing a sustainable market for their handcrafted products. True-goal is aiming to be a
founding member of the new WFTO – the World Fair Trade Organization, a global network of more than 350 fair trade
organizations in 70 countries.
As one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations florish,majority of artisans and farmers are
still living in very hash living conditions.True-goal has spent more than 5years cultivating long-term buying
relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to unique gifts,
accessories and home decor from around Africa.
Our Values
Cash Advances and Prompt Final Payments
Artisans receive up to 60 percent in cash advances when an order is placed, and payment in full plus shipment bill
when an order is shipped.
True-goal promptly pays artisans in full for each order. We provide artisan partners with the opportunity to
receive 60 percent of an order’s price when the order is placed, which functions as an interest-free cash
advance. We pay the remaining balance with cost in shipment immediately following notice that the order has been
shipped.
This capital allows artisan groups to purchase equipment and raw materials without going into debt by taking out
loans with high interest rates. True-goal works with Shared Interest to deliver punctual payment to
artisan groups.
Once the products are ready for shipment,they are transported to Accra,Ghana or transported directly to our
warehouse in Germany.True-goal is responsible for marketing them. Artisans’ wages are not affected by product
markdowns or discounts because they have already received payment before the products arrive in our warehouse.
A Fair Price
Artisans and True-goal agree on a fair price that covers the cost of labor and materials and enables
artisans to earn fair compensation for their work and skill.
A fair price ensures that artisans are adequately compensated for the time,skill, labor and material resources
invested in making each product. Pricing varies according to the economic and social context in which an artisan
works. A fair price is determined by the artisan in conversation with True-goal’s team and staff, and is based on
the cost of materials, and a fair wage for the production time and skill level required to make each product.Fair
wages enable artisans to meet their needs for food, clothing and shelter.we intern to make sure of they are able
to sae as well.
Long-Term Relationships
Artisans can plan for the future with consistent orders from year to year.
Fair trade is not just about prices-it is founded on a commitment to long term relationships that provide mutual
benefits for our business and those of our artisan partners.
When True-goal starts trading with an artisans, we stay committed to working with the artisans in the long-term and
to building its capacity to become successful with both commercial and fair trade buyers. We are committed to
sustaining consistent purchases each year, and we strive not to decrease purchases from an artisan group from year
to year.
Artisan groups often remark that our commitment to long-term purchases is more important than the fair prices we
pay. Long-term relationships give them a sustainable source of income that enables them to plan for the
future-investing in technology and skills training in order to reach their full business potential.
Design Collaboration
Our designers and buyers work with artisans to build on their traditional skills with trend and color information
and new product suggestions.
True-goal offers artisan partners a spectrum of design assistance that varies with the unique challenges of each
group or artist. Our in-house designers help artisans adapt traditional artistic skills to create a product that
appeals to the worlds consumers. Our buyers make regular visits to artisan partners, where they collaborate to produce
best-selling products and enable our partners to develop their businesses and design skills.
Environmental Responsibility
We encourage our staff and artisan partners to employ sustainable practices and to use recycled and natural materials
when possible.
At True-goal,our goal is sustainability not just for our artisan partners, but also for the environment. From our
company headquarters to our artisan workshops around the world, we strive to minimize our carbon footprint while
maximizing our impact on disadvantaged artisans. Our new store concept takes a conscious approach toward minimizing
environmental impact in order to meet the “triple bottom line” of economic,environmental and social sustainability.
Sustainable, Responsible Practices Corporate Awards
True-goal has been nationally recognized for its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. We aim to
achieving best Green organisation in the world, and aiming to be named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by the Ethisphere
in the world.
Retail Network
True-goals’ retail network features recycled flooring, environmentally safe paints, recycled fixtures
and efficient lighting. Unique fixtures made from natural materials bring originality and cohesiveness to the
store. Our promotional materials are printed on recycled certified paper whenever possible. We offer gifts, available
online and in stores, handmade by artisans in Bangladesh.
Online
Our e-commerce website serves as an environmental alternative to a print catalog. Our fair trade gift registry is
a valuable resource for customers to plan green weddings,moving into your new home and special event celebrations.
Sourcing Sustainable Resources
The majority of our goods are produced in the most environmentally friendly way possible by hand. Many artisans
recycle materials such as newspaper, post-consumer magazines and glass to create innovative and functional
products. Our product line includes a wide range of items made with natural materials, from bamboo to water and
elephant grass weeds.
Groups source renewable, natural materials to keep resources in balance. We encourage artisans to use local raw
materials whenever possible, and many artisans use natural dyes.
Several artisan partners also source sustainable wood, or “good wood,” from farms that replant trees after they
are harvested.
Shipments
True-goal uses sea shipments whenever possible, which uses significantly less fuel than air freight.
We consolidate shipments as much as possible to reduce the number of shipments and overall transportation load-up
to 13 artisan groups share one container at a time.
We use DHL for transportation needs within the the E.U countries. The UPS alternative fuel fleet at 1,500 vehicles
and one of the largest in the United States currently includes trucks powered by compressed natural
gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, electricity and hydrogen.