Fairtrade Access Fund (FAF)

Smallholder farmers - who cultivate small plots yet contribute significantly to global food systems - face a convergence of impact challenges that threaten their livelihoods and long-term resilience. These include limited access to finance, exposure to climate shocks, and systemic undervaluation of their environmental contributions. Many operate outside formal financial systems, lack collateral, and are excluded from traditional lending, leaving them vulnerable to market volatility and unable to invest in sustainable practices. Climate change compounds these pressures through erratic weather, soil degradation, and water scarcity, while weak infrastructure and fragmented supply chains restrict access to markets and fair pricing. These dynamics undermine productivity and income stability and also perpetuate inequality in rural economies.

FAF tackles systemic barriers to smallholder resilience through the provision of trade finance, working capital, and long-term loans tailored to the needs of Fairtrade-certified and sustainable producer organizations, across Africa, Asia and Latin America. It complements this with a robust Technical Assistance Facility (TAF), which delivers targeted support in climate adaptation, financial literacy, and governance. FAF also pioneers innovative mechanisms like CompensAction and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), which recognize and reward farmers for their environmental stewardship. Through these integrated efforts, FAF strengthens the capacity of smallholder organizations to adapt, diversify, and thrive in increasingly volatile and climate-stressed environments.

Since its launch in 2012, the Fairtrade Access Fund has invested over USD 574 million, supporting 90+ investees in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In 2024 alone, the fund reached 528k smallholder farmers across 17 countries. Through its Technical Assistance Facility, FAF has deployed USD 1.9 million across 37 projects in 17 countries, reaching over 45 organizations - including producer cooperatives, agri-SMEs, and microfinance institutions. These efforts have trained 28k cooperative members and 2k staff and supported sustainable cultivation across 660k hectares.