Oikocredit’s partner Fapecafé is a co-operative federation which provides assistance to smallholder coffee growers in Ecuador’s southern regions. It helps to market the farmers’ produce at home and abroad while encouraging Fairtrade and organic activities.

We interviewed Colleen Anunu, Fairtrade USA’s Senior Manager of Supply Chain about Fairtrade’s achievements and how it responds to challenges. Colleen also provides us with insights into how Fairtrade USA, Oikocredit and others collaborate to help smallholder coffee growers overcome the many challenges they face from volatile markets to climate change.

Good Money Week 2017:  Each year, the UK Sustainable Investment Forum (UKSIF) Good Money Week features a series of events across the UK aimed at encouraging more individuals and institutions into sustainable, responsible and ethical investing. Oikocredit UK & Ireland worked with Oikocredit member-shareholder, the Church of Scotland, to sponsor ‘What have faith and money got to do with climate change’ in Edinburgh. Our National Director, Monica Middleton, took part as a key note speaker and panellist (alongside Christian Aid Scotland) to discuss the positive role that faith-based organisations, individuals and their investment decisions can play in the world. Together with the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR), our scottish consultant, David Cousland also led a investment-themed workshop for church congregants. In London, Archie Pearson joined the annual conference of the Association of Church Treasurers and Accountants in which we are delighted to have become recent members.  Archie also attended two events organised by Co-operatives UK, which provided the chance to network with co-operatives from across the UK and discuss the power of the co-operative movement in effecting positive change. We ended the week discussing sustainable investing at an event for independent financial advisors (IFAs) and wealth managers, as well as presenting Oikocredit at the Ethical Consumer Conference which was attended by over 500 people, including actor, Mark Rylance.  

Faith Consistent Investing: Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), Zug, Switzerland: This ground-breaking event was hosted by ARC to accelerate the inter-faith agenda for socially responsible investing. The forum brought together over 100 attendees and speakers from eight faiths - Christians, Buddhists, Daoists, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Sufis and Shintus. Monica represented Oikocredit with a key note speech sharing how co-operative organisations can bring diverse parties together to achieve positive aims. Green Christian - Joy in Enough, Sheffield:  Archie exhibited Oikocredit at this super Green Christian event in Sheffield which was attended by over 100 individuals.

Employee Ownership Association (EOA), Birmingham:  We were delighted to participate in the fabulous Employee Ownership Association Annual Conference which was attended by over 600 people.

We've teamed up with our much-loved Oikocredit partner and UK Fairtrade brand, Cafédirect, to bring you a 10% discount off their premium handpicked coffee range by using the code OIKO10 at check-out.  

Take a look at their special handpicked Christmas Blend of excellent, freshly roasted coffee direct from Cafédirect's growers.  Or purchase their stylish handpicked Gift Boxes with your choice of coffees, and have it delivered to your loved ones anywhere in the UK and Northern Ireland.

If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to contact the Cafédirect handpicked team  at handpicked@cafedirect.co.uk.

One of Oikocredit’s greatest strengths is the loyalty and support of its investors, without whom we wouldn’t be able to achieve our goals. We therefore thank you sincerely for all the support you have given us in 2017 and hope you will continue to top up your investments from time to time.

In the meantime, we hope you have enjoyed this newsletter and wish you and your loved ones the very best Christmas and New Year. 

The UK & Ireland Team