CLAC

NATIONAL NETWORKS

One of the main organizing structures of CLAC is the territorial sphere, that is to say, the union of all small Fair Trade producers in a specific country regardless of the different products, and organized into National Networks.

Countries participating in the CLAC:

Argentina
Belize
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Dominican Republic
Venezuela
Winward Islands

The level in which the different National Networks of Small Fair Trade Producers have consolidated, varies from country to country. For example, Mexico has a National Network with more than 5 years of intense activity. Other countries, like Peru, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic have similar long term experiences; while other National Networks are still at the stage of formation. Some National Networks have initiated a legal process to become legally established independent entities, as in the case of Peru, Guatemala and Mexico.

It is important to point out that the National Networks have their own processes and decision making structures. Despite their affiliation to CLAC, they work independently from the central CLAC structure.

The representatives of the Board of CLAC promote as well, a tight coordination between the National Networks of each sub region of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The main activities of the National Networks include:

• The development of knowledge regarding regulations and function of the Fair Trade systems.

• Contribution through analysis and proposals regarding the Fair Trade systems.

• Analysis and building of alternatives for small producers in the Fair Trade market, conventional market and in the society and economy of a particular country.

• Exchange of experiences and trainings regarding Quality Control, trading, productive and commercial diversification, Gender Projects, Strategic Planning, Regulations, Internal Control Systems and Marketing.

• Development of collective instruments for trading, promotion, certification, finance and credits.