Trading Fairly Since 1946

Focused on providing fair wages, working capital and access to North American markets for poor and disadvantaged artisans in developing countries, our retail model seeks to provide new opportunities and empower local communities throughout the world.

Ten Thousand Villages works with more than 100 artisan groups in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.  We have been committed to fair trade for more than 60 years.

A clear, seven-word summary of fair trade:
Fair payment for skilled work by disadvantaged producers.

An in-depth description of fair trade:
At Ten Thousand Villages we add our own principles of operation to the IFAT key principles of fair trade:

  1. We honor the value of seeking to bring justice and hope to the poor.
  2. We trade with artisan groups who pay fair wages and demonstrate concern for their members’ welfare.
  3. We provide consistent purchases, advances and prompt final payments to artisans.
  4. We increase market share in North America for fairly-traded handicrafts.
  5. We market quality products that are crafted by underemployed artisans.
  6. We build sustainable operations using a variety of sales channels, including a network of stores with a common identity.
  7. We choose handicrafts that reflect and reinforce rich cultural traditions, that are environmentally sensitive and which appeal to North American consumers.
  8. We encourage North American customers to learn about fair trade and to appreciate artisans’ cultural heritage and life circumstances with joy and respect.
  9. We use resources carefully and value volunteers who work in our North American operations.