The Co-operative Enterprise Hub believes that by equipping people with the skills and knowledge to build successful co-operative enterprises, we are helping them to build better lives for themselves and their communities. Our work extends beyond the advice and training provided to co-operatives in the UK, to a number of projects overseas that seek to promote co-operative enterprise as a means of alleviating poverty.
Kibagenge means 'coming together as one' in the Kenyan communities where the Hub is supporting smallholder tea farmers to organise into co-operatives. A Hub investment of £125,000, match funded by the Department for International Development, is being used to train 11,000 farmers in co-operation and help them work towards the Fairtrade certification that would guarantee a minimum price for their tea. The farmers have now formed five co-operatives and are benefiting from the stronger voice in trading negotiations and improved access to market that the co-operatives afford. One co-operative has already achieved Fairtrade certification
The project is being delivered by the Hub in partnership with, The Co-operative Food, the Co-operative College in the UK, and the NGO Africa Now and tea supplier, Finlays, in Kenya.
Betty Chesang, tea farmer
"Since I joined the co-operative we have seen a lot of revolution and we are getting a fairer deal."
Richard Metet, tea farmer
"A co-operative will enhance our lives. It will bring the farmers together and it will help in terms of sales and prices. It will be better because we have a collective say."
Zeddy Simotwo, tea farmer
"Being a member of a co-operative will provide many benefits, prices will be improved and as well as a higher income for our tea we will also have access to loans, which means for example, we will be able to put our children into education."
