MEN'S RECYCLED RICE BAG WALLET

The Artisans' Association of Cambodia (AAC) is a fair trade association currently comprised of 32 member organizations that include artisan and handicraft businesses, social enterprises, and NGOs that all work with Cambodia's most marginalized and vulnerable groups. These groups address the diverse needs of landmine victims, people with disabilities, trafficked women, and youth who must provide for their large families. AAC's aim is to become the bridge between its member organizations and the market- both local and international. With AAC's assistance, these community organizations are able to increase production, improve product quality, and incorporate fair trade principles into production. Increased revenue in poor communities has meant an increased ability to address pressing issues of women's rights, literacy, education, and public health.

Established in 2000, AAC was founded by the World Rehabilitation Fund (WRF) with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). AAC was originally funded by the government of Japan through United Nations Mine Action Services (UNMAS) with the hopes of providing innovative socie-economic solutions for people disabled by landmines. AAC is also the first organization in Cambodia to be a member of both the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) and the Asia Fair Trade Forum (AFTF).

AAC is unique in its highly democratic approach to the management of the association; the guiding body of AAC is an elected board called the AAC Committee comprised of representatives of the member organizations so that each community group participates in decision-making. The long-term goal for AAC is to provide its members with increased access to mainstream markets and continued training and resources for production.

Fair Trade Products: Global Goods Partners