The Fairtrade Network of Asia and Pacific Producers (Fairtrade NAPP), in collaboration with USMart Technology Business Incubator, successfully conducted a two-day advanced training program titled “Business Plan and Proposal Writing with Business Pitching”. This initiative was the final phase (Phase 3) of the Marketing and Communication Course aimed at capacitating Fairtrade-certified producers in the Philippines.

The training was the culmination of a three-year capacity-building initiative:

• Phase 1 (Beginner Level): Developed country-specific communication and marketing materials, and included social media training.
• Phase 2 (Intermediate Level): Focused on digital content creation and visual storytelling.
• Phase 3 (Advanced Level): Focused on developing competitive business plans and proposals and pitching them to potential funders.

Fairtrade NAPP recognized the pressing need to equip smallholder producers, young entrepreneurs, and women in agriculture with the skills required to attract funding and expand their market reach. Many of these participants had limited prior exposure to formal business training but had high motivation and entrepreneurial potential. This training addressed that gap by providing hands-on, practical learning in proposal writing and pitching.

The training focussed on: 

• Enhancing the capacity of producers in crafting persuasive business and grant proposals.
• Preparing the participants for capital funding and Department of Agriculture competitions (e.g., Young Farmers Challenge).
• Strengthening pitching skills to confidently engage investors and funding agencies.

Participants

25 individuals participated, including farmers from nine Fairtrade-certified organizations specializing in coconut, sugarcane, and banana. Participants represented diverse demographics, educational backgrounds, and experiences—ranging from high school graduates to PhD holders, and from young professionals to senior farmers.

Welcome Address

Erwin Novianto, RGM for Southeast Asia, PNG, and TL (Fairtrade NAPP) emphasized the need for socially responsible businesses and urged participants to adopt ethical, environmentally sustainable practices.

Objective Setting & Participant Introduction

Facilitated by Natasha Erika Jane Siaron, Program Manager, Philippines- Fairtrade NAPP, the participants engaged in a creative "Roots and Fruits" exercise to share their backgrounds and expectations, fostering community and collaboration from the start.

TRAINING SESSIONS:

Understanding Business Planning

Aljun S. Nilo – External Consultant/Facilitator began by defining what a business plan is and why it’s essential for any organization, particularly within the context of agricultural cooperatives and Fairtrade enterprises. He introduced the foundational components of a business plan:

• Executive summary
• Business and product description
• Market analysis
• Marketing and sales strategy
• Organizational structure
• Financial projections

Participants engaged in reflective discussions, linking these components to their cooperative’s operations. Two representatives—Ms. Rosemarie Gonzales (FFCC) and Ms. Trinidad Goliat (DFCFA)—shared personal experiences where strategic business planning directly contributed to product diversification and income enhancement.

Participants understood that a well-developed business plan acts as both a roadmap for organizational direction and a critical document for engaging funders. This session laid the groundwork for subsequent proposal writing and pitch development, enabling participants to connect strategic planning with practical implementation.

Business Proposal & Grant Writing

Chloee Faith Teves – Technical Assistant in Marketing, USMart TBI, led an engaging session on what makes a proposal successful. She emphasized:

• Crafting a compelling narrative
• Justifying the project need
• Aligning objectives with funders' goals
• Identifying diverse funding sources: NGOs, government grants, CSR initiatives

Participants then formed groups based on their respective organizations and began a hands-on workshop to draft actual business proposals.

Each group produced a draft proposal customized to their organizational goals. Participants developed confidence in identifying funders, articulating their value proposition, and justifying project feasibility—essential steps for securing financial support.

Pitching Your Business Idea

Kim Bryan Abellanosa – Project Manager, USMart TBI introduced the “10 + 1 Slide Pitch Deck Formula”  and showcased a real “Shark Tank” pitch to demonstrate effective delivery, storytelling, and investor engagement.

In the Pitch Lab workshop that followed, groups used the slide formula to draft their presentation decks. Resource persons gave real-time design and content feedback as participants practiced in front of peers.

Participants not only learned pitch structure but also gained hands-on practice in presenting to potential funders. They improved their visual communication, story crafting, and public speaking skills. This prepared them for the final-day investor simulation.

Language Guide – Do’s and Don’ts When Communicating About Fairtrade

Anu Rai – Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications (MARCOMM), Fairtrade NAPP, conducted a session to help participants communicate more effectively, ethically, and transparently about their organizations, products, and Fairtrade affiliations, and how language shapes public perception and organizational credibility. She emphasized that while Fairtrade aims to tell stories of empowerment, honesty and balance are essential by avoiding exaggerated claims and focusing on dignity and progress ( Trade not Aid), and ensuring consistency between visuals and messaging

Participants gained critical awareness of ethical communication standards when speaking about their work and Fairtrade. They learned to:

• Craft stories that are inspiring but rooted in truth
• Avoid misrepresentation in fundraising or promotional materials
• Apply the guidance to business proposals, pitch decks, and public campaigns

This session added a layer of professionalism to the technical and business-focused training, ensuring that the language used by participants aligns with Fairtrade’s mission of dignity, equity, and transparency.

Practical Workshop – Proposal Writing:-

This session focused on financial strategy and fundraising for start-ups. The trainers walked through:

• Different funding sources (grants, subsidies, incubators)
• Financial planning basics
• How to align proposals with programs like the Department of Agriculture’s Young Farmers Challenge
• Examples of successful funded projects

Participants were encouraged to revise their proposals to meet real-world grant standards. Clarification rounds allowed groups to dive deeper into budgeting, team structuring, and sustainability planning. They walked away with technically refined proposals and a deeper understanding of funder expectations. The activity improved their skills in strategic financial forecasting and proposal alignment, strengthening their applications for real grant opportunities.

Finalization of Proposals and Pitch Decks

In this culminating session, participants completed and polished their proposals and pitch decks. Mentors rotated among groups to provide personalized feedback on:

• Pitch delivery
• Slide aesthetics and coherence
• Proposal logic and clarity
• Financial accuracy

Each group then presented their pitch in a mock investor setting.

Notable Pitches Included:

• “MUNING Coconut Husk Litter” – SCOFFA
• “LABKITA Lubi at Kape” – MOFFA
• “Organic Biodigester Fertilizer Production” – FFCC (🏆 Best Proposal & Best Pitch)

Participants demonstrated significant improvement in delivery, clarity, and professionalism. They gained firsthand experience in investor engagement and received constructive feedback to improve future pitches. The confidence and skill acquired through this activity positioned them to compete in grant challenges and pitch events beyond the training.

Combined Results of All Sessions

Across all sessions—including technical, practical, and ethical components—the training achieved the following key outcomes:

• Drafted and finalized 9 unique business proposals, each aligned with real-world funding opportunities such as the Department of Agriculture’s Young Farmers Challenge and various grant providers.
• Strengthened pitching skills using international best practices, including the 10+1 slide formula, investor-style Q&A preparation, and storytelling techniques.
• Increased participant confidence in public speaking and investor communication, especially among those with no prior experience in proposal pitching.
• Fostered teamwork and collaboration by encouraging group-based outputs, peer support, and shared learning across diverse organizations.
• Enhanced understanding of financial strategy, business modeling, and grant-readiness, equipping participants to manage business growth sustainably and transparently.
• Improved ethical and effective communication practices about Fairtrade principles to craft narratives that are respectful, accurate, and aligned with Fairtrade’s values—an essential skill for donor communication, branding, and proposal writing.

Moving Forward: What’s Next?

Participants called for future trainings in areas such as financial management, digital marketing, product branding, negotiation skills, and deeper learning on Fairtrade Standards. They expressed the need for weekend training schedules, more time for practical application, and follow-up mentorship from Fairtrade NAPP.

Most importantly, they left not just with tools—but with purpose.

As Elizabeth Banuelos, a 70-year-old participant from TTMPC, eloquently shared:

“I may not have finished school, but I now have the tools to help my cooperative grow. I’m proud, I’m learning, and I’m ready.”