A New Chapter for Fairtrade in Türkiye

Smallholder farmers and cooperatives in Türkiye now have a clearer route into the global Fairtrade system. With the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, Fairtrade NAPP and Development Workshop will work together to identify and organize potential producer groups, support cooperatives on their path to Fairtrade certification, strengthen existing producer organizations, mobilize resources, and build connections with government institutions, research organizations and buyers in Türkiye and beyond.

The MoU was signed by Bindu S., Chief Executive Officer of Fairtrade NAPP, and Ertan Karabıyık, Secretary General of Development Workshop. It will remain in force for five years, giving both organizations the time horizon needed to accompany Turkish cooperatives through certification and into stable Fairtrade markets. For Fairtrade NAPP, the regional producer network representing more than 270 Fairtrade certified Producer Organizations and over 190,000 farmers and workers across 20 countries in Asia and the Pacific, the partnership is a step towards a wider and more inclusive regional network.

About Development Workshop Cooperative

Development Workshop Cooperative (Kalkınma Atölyesi Kooperatifi) is a Türkiye-based social enterprise cooperative with more than 20 years of research and engagement on agricultural labour and human rights across the country’s agri-food supply chains. Founded on the principles of applied research, it specializes in seasonal migratory agricultural labour, child labour in agriculture, human rights due diligence and responsible supply chain practices, and works across commodities including hazelnut, cotton, dried fruits, citrus, tobacco and sugar beet.

Beyond research, Development Workshop has contributed to the design and implementation of due diligence methodologies, stakeholder mapping and initiatives to improve working conditions and supply chain transparency, and maintains an active dialogue with policymakers, certification bodies, buyers and international organizations. Its work spans multiple regions of Türkiye and reflects an in-depth understanding of the structural and local dynamics shaping labour conditions in Turkish agriculture. This on-the-spot knowledge and these long-standing relationships complement Fairtrade NAPP’s expertise in Fairtrade Standards, certification and market access, making the two organizations natural partners.

What the Partnership Means for Producers of Türkiye

Drawing on the objectives of the MoU, the partnership is set to benefit farmers, workers and their organizations in Türkiye in several concrete ways:

• A guided path to Fairtrade certification: The partners will jointly map and assess farmer groups willing to become Fairtrade certified, conduct readiness assessments, prepare certification roadmaps, coordinate compliance with Fairtrade Standards, facilitate audits and provide continued support after certification, so that cooperatives new to Fairtrade are accompanied at every step.
• Skills and knowledge for stronger livelihoods: Farmers from Turkish cooperatives will be able to access training on the agronomy of certified crops and sustainable farming practices, along with visits to demonstration farms, research institutions and pilot sites, working towards livelihoods that are profitable and sustainable.
• Better market connections and value chains: Joint market research, market intelligence, product diversification, value addition and quality improvement initiatives will connect cooperatives with buyers seeking responsibly sourced products, opening the way to fairer prices and new market opportunities.
• More space for women and young people: The partners will jointly develop programmes that strengthen the participation and leadership of women and youth within producer organizations, so that decision-making rests on many shoulders and the next generation sees a future in agriculture.
• Resources mobilized for producers: Both organizations will jointly identify funding opportunities and develop proposals for bilateral, multilateral, corporate and philanthropic funders, with Development Workshop building relationships with institutions in Türkiye and Fairtrade NAPP leading international fundraising and donor coordination.
• A stronger voice through partnerships and advocacy: Strategic partnerships with governments, development agencies and research institutions, together with policy engagement on sustainable agriculture, living income, living wages, human rights and climate resilience, will promote an enabling environment for cooperatives and smallholder farmers across Türkiye.

Leadership Perspectives

“This partnership marks an important strategic step for Fairtrade NAPP as we expand our regional producer network and create new opportunities for farmers and cooperatives in Türkiye. Development Workshop brings deep knowledge of Turkish agriculture, strong relationships with local stakeholders, and extensive experience in human rights and responsible supply chains. Combined with Fairtrade NAPP’s expertise in producer empowerment, Fairtrade Standards and market access, this partnership gives us a strong foundation to support Turkish cooperatives on a long-term journey towards stronger organizations, fairer trading conditions and sustainable livelihoods. We see this MoU as much more than a pathway to certification—it is an opportunity to build lasting partnerships, unlock new markets, mobilize resources, and ensure that women, young people and smallholder farmers have a stronger voice in shaping the future of agriculture in Türkiye.”

- Bindu Sukumarapillai, CEO, Fairtrade NAPP

"As Development Workshop and Fairtrade NAPP, we are embarking on a new collaboration for a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable future. We believe that by bringing together knowledge, experience and solidarity in the areas of fair trade, human rights and sustainability, this partnership will contribute to more inclusive approaches and meaningful progress in Türkiye."

- Ertan Karabıyık, Secretary General, Development Workshop

The Way Forward

Each joint project under the MoU will be defined through its own terms of reference, agreed by both parties before work begins, with the overall partnership guided by Bindu S. and Ertan Karabıyık. Early priorities include mapping potential producer groups, planning outreach activities such as meetings and webinars with interested cooperatives, and developing the first joint proposals.

Building a Fairtrade producer base in Türkiye will take sustained effort, and certification is the beginning of this journey. With Development Workshop’s deep roots in Turkish agriculture and Fairtrade NAPP’s regional network and experience, both organizations are committed to walking that road alongside the country’s farmers and workers, towards stronger organizations, fairer trading conditions and more sustainable livelihoods.