Fair Trade

Enterprise context & Outcomes of the project

Fair Trade was clearly a social enterprise project which provided a service to both Swanlea staff and students through trading methods. The participants reaped financial benefits as well as contributing to the betterment of the lives of agricultural producers in developing countries. By purchasing and then selling Fair Trade products, students were raising awareness about the need for a more just trading system.

The project incorporated technical business elements of finance and accounting, marketing, planning, control, costs, investment, purchasing, structural organisation and decision-making. The participants had to apply these business techniques in their conduct of the project.

Other essential enterprise elements and skills included teamwork, problem solving, communication, interviews, company meetings, diplomacy skills and utilising persuasive language. Students also developed their presentation skills, gained more confidence and learned to be more creative. They all received gift vouchers and a certificate for their dedication and hard work.

Outcomes of the project

• Successfully built the kiosk
• Ignited an awareness about the purpose of fair trade products and social enterprise
• Made a profit from selling fair trade products
• Participants featured in the Teacher’s TV documentary
• Raised the profile of the project by attending the Pathfinder launches
• Established a link with investing banks like JP Morgan
• Advanced design and construction skills
• Contributions made to the financial improvements of the lives of the impoverished people of Africa
• Won the Young Enterprise trading competition
  

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