About
OVERVIEW
Founder's story
One World Projects was founded in 1992 by Phil Smith, a environmental activist who was concerned to see the alarming rates of rainforest destruction in the Amazon, and decided to do something about it by increasing the market for "green" goods and gifts. OWP's product line quickly expanded to include items that also promoted social responsibility and peace. Since then, the company has become an established leader in the fair trade and environmentally-conscious market.
Our mission
We strive to be a positive force for social and environmental change. Providing artisans with viable and sustainable economic opportunities is the primary motivating force behind our business.
Our philosophy
Our roots are in preserving the environment. Many of our products are made from renewable resources, thus providing artisans with incentives to conserve, protect, and even restore their natural resources and biologically-diverse ecosystems.
Everything we sell provides viable economic alternatives to artisans and their families and promotes social and environmental responsibility.
The types of products we sell
We sell jewelry, ornaments, bags, scarves, gifts, fashion accessories, home decor, toys and more. Everything we sell is handmade, earth-friendly and fair trade imported.
Where the producers live and work
We work with 90+ artisan groups in 25 countries across Latin America, Asia and Africa. Our artisans come from remote villages and urban cities throughout the developing world, and we're constantly adding new groups and regions.
Projects we support
Far too many to list here! Our favorites include keeping kids out of coal mines in Colombia, helping genocide survivors rebuild in Rwanda, providing alternatives to coca farming in Ecuador, selling scarves made by refugees in Burma, and sharing teddy bears handmade in Afghanistan with children there and abroad. We especially seek projects in conflict and post-conflict regions to help clear a path to peace. Each item comes with a story card with more specific information about the artisan and project it supports.
How we select what we sell
We hand-pick most of our goods directly after visiting with the artisans to make sure they adhere to the policies and principles of fair trade.
What makes us unique
The breadth and depth of our product line, along with our commitment to difficult areas, differentiates us from many fair trade players.
More information about us
One World Projects works with more than 11,000 artisans in Africa, Asia and Latin America to help improve their lives through fair trade. We purchase high quality, handcrafted goods and pay a living wage to artisans that allows them to both cover basic expenses and invest in the future. Your purchase directly benefits the artisans who created these products.
We'd also like to tell you
You can also visit us at www.oneworldprojects.com for additional handmade, fair trade and earth-friendly items.