Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach to alleviating global poverty and promoting sustainability.The movement advocates the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of goods. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, mostly handicrafts and agricultural products.

Fair trade works with marginalized producers and workers to help them move from a position of vulnerability to economic self-sufficiency. It also empowers individuals to take part in their own organizations and actively contribute in the global arena to achieve equality in international trade.

In June 2008, it was estimated that over 7.5 million disadvantaged producers and their families were benefiting from fair trade funded infrastructure, technical assistance, and community development projects.