The Global Fairness Initiative works to achieve environmental sustainability through inclusive initiatives and programs around the world. GFI works with communities, consumers, governments, and the private sector to promote inclusive sustainability models that improve the environment and the lives of those living within it. Communities, particularly marginalized ones, should be empowered to play a role in policymaking, green supply chains, and other points of leverage in green economies, and GFI works to achieve this in our work.
The Recyclers Leadership Initiative (RLI) aimed to strengthen the recycling value chain, support the economic, social, and environmental inclusion of waste pickers, and improve the working conditions of waste pickers with an emphasis on occupational health and increasing incomes.
GFI and Ciudad Saludable, a Peruvian NGO, worked with hundreds of recyclers in municipalities across Peru to enable the formalization of unorganized recyclers and strengthen existing recycling centers through targeted skills development, professional development, and organizational strengthening. The formalization of associations and recycling centers improved efficiencies in waste collection, increased incomes for the recyclers, and is contributing to a culture of recycling.
The Salt Workers Economic Empowerment Program (SWEEP) is a collaborative project of GFI and the Self Employed Workers Economic Women’s Association (SEWA) designed to improve economic opportunity and empowerment for women salt farmers and introduce environmentally sustainable energy solutions to lower production costs so that the poor too can benefit from “green technology.” Capitalizing on sustainable technology and production methods, improved links to high-value markets and greater local control of energy costs, SWEEP gives women salt producers tools, access and voice to better realize profits and maximize their personal and community livelihood goals.
A Documentary Film Directed by Paul Sapin
Production of the film started in June 2017 and is planned to complete by October 2018.
Despite the large youth population, developing countries have failed to absorb the youth into their education systems and labor markets, thereby not fully benefiting from this “youth dividend.” In Latin America and the Caribbean, young people account for roughly 50% of all unemployed workers in nearly every country in the region. Sustained unemployment reinforces inter-generational transmission of poverty, promotes anti-social and high-risk behavior, and restricts the ability of a community and economy to grow and realizes it’s social and economic development goals. It is essential to promote youth employment by encouraging programs that provide youth with soft and hard working skills that will help them get better jobs and continue their education and professional growth at a higher level.
The Creating Your Future / Creando Tu Futuro – Workplace Skills Program is an innovative job skills training program aimed at building a strong foundation of technical and life skills knowledge for low income youth in Latin America. Launching in Argentina and Colombia, with a smaller pilot program in the Dominican Republic, the program will develop and deliver a blended platform of online learning modules and classroom instruction to 2200 low-income youth with the goal of preparing graduates for secure, financially sustainable jobs in the organized sector. The program will provide beneficiaries with instruction through four unique modules: math and literacy skill; workplace communication with applied English; technical and technology skills; and a blend of personal financial management and job search skills. The central goal of the program is to maximize the employability of participants by empowering them with the fundamental technical and personal skills necessary to effectively pursue and secure full employment, and achieve sustainable personal and professional success in their future careers.
GFI's Latin America Country Director, Jessica Yarrow, has been in Guatemala since 1997 working for human rights organizations supporting local initiatives to improve labor rights, access to justice, economic development and to end human trafficking. She also has experience interpreting and translating for visiting funders and academic groups. With GFI Jessica will provide insight and manage our current projects in Latin America. She holds a master’s degree in International and Intercultural Management from the School for International Service and a B.A. in Spanish/Latin American Studies from American University in Washington, DC.
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Indigenous communities throughout Central America have historically been victims of an institutionally structured process of marginalization. Over countless years, these communities have seen social and political rights withheld and were often targets of human rights abuses during the 1980s. To address the many challenges of Sololá’s indigenous farmers, GFI has launched a community-based initiative designed to empower farming communities through improved agricultural production, market access and finance opportunities to help expand economic opportunity. The Sololá Agro-Industry Initiative (SAII) is designed to strengthen economic opportunity for indigenous agricultural producers and break down existing barriers faced by small-holder organic farmers by creating links to higher value, more sustainable markets. Additionally, the SAII program uses a robust multi-stakeholder engagement process to ensure that the voice and participation of the indigenous Mayan communities of Sololá are included in larger economic decision making within Guatemala’s agricultural development agenda.
SAII is working with both smallholder farming communities and large buyers. Training and capacity building focuses on improving farming inputs and promoting skills and practices that address productivity, quality, and value. While all training modules are developed in partnership with the community, trainings will be designed around environmental and economic best practices and decent work standards in the agricultural sector. SAII is working to connect farming communities with larger buyers and secure transfer of knowledge through successful business contracts. Trainings could potentially adapt to buyer requirements without compromising labor or environmental standards.
GFI's Guatemala Country Director, Jessica Yarrow, has been in Guatemala since 1997 working for human rights organizations supporting local initiatives to improve labor rights, access to justice, economic development and to end human trafficking. She also has experience interpreting and translating for visiting funders and academic groups. With GFI Jessica will provide insight and manage our current projects in Guatemala. She holds a master’s degree in International and Intercultural Management from the School for International Service and a B.A. in Spanish/Latin American Studies from American University in Washington, DC.
Visit soon to learn more about the SAII program activities and milestones
We would be pleased respond to your inquiries about the program. All questions and comments can be directed This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..