The present day agriculture industry is a global and dynamic industry, which has achieved significant growth rates during the past few decades. Global consumption of cut flowers is estimated at a staggering € 30 billion per year with Europe and North America being the leading markets.Today, a vast majority of European flower and plant growers participate in one or more certification schemes mainly to get access to vast markets. The Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) which is an association of 3 producer networks and 21 national labelling initiatives that promote and market the Fairtrade Certification Mark in their countries is one of the widely certification schemes that most of the producers have subscribed in to .
For producers to maintain their Fairtrade certification they are required to adhere to the requirements set forth by Fairtrade .One of this requirements is the Management of Fairtrade Premium .The Intent and scope of this requirement is to ensure Fairtrade leads to the empowerment of workers and the sustainable social and economic development of workers and their communities.
Elite Cert Africa will create awareness to your workers on Fairtrade and FPC concepts including the following elements:
The Fairtrade Concept
The Joint Body Concept
The Certification Process and Certification Cycle
Premium Management and Project Cycle
Decision making structures in Joint Bodies/Premium Committees.
Examples of Projects which can be undertaken using the Fairtrade premiums.
The awareness will be done in sessions with between 80 to 100 workers per session, 31/2 hours per session and 2 sessions per day. The total number of days is targeted to be 4 days to complete the worker awareness. Materials to be used include pictograms and lectures plus a question and answer session at the end of each session.
Introduction to Fairtrade, FLO and the Fairtrade Concept – this topic introduces participants to the wider concept of Fairtrade, exposes them to various Fairtrade organizations and narrows down to FLO and the Fairtrade concept as expounded by FLO.
The FPC Concept – This topic examines in detail the concept of Fairtrade Premium committees and how they differ from regular workplace committees.
The FPC Constitution – This topic examines the various issues covered under the FPC Constitution, registration and the effects of registration.
FPC Rules and Regulations – This topic examines the various requirements under Joint Body Rules and Regulations.
Overview of the guidance Manual for FPC and Premium Use.
Roles and responsibilities of Office Bearers – As per the FPC constitution and/or rules and regulations.
Leadership and decision making – designed to provide overview of various leadership styles and leadership development.
Communication Skills – Designed to equip the FPC members with effective communication skills.
Project Identification and prioritization – designed to equip the FPC members with necessary skills to select and set priorities for projects to be implemented by the FPC using the FT premiums.
Project planning – Designed to equip the FPC members with necessary skills to come up with effective project plans.
Project monitoring and reporting – designed to equip the FPC members with necessary skills to monitor and report on project progress.
Project Implementation and risk management – Designed to equip the FPC with necessary Implementation Skills including identification and management of inherent risks.
Managing Meetings – Most FPC activities are undertaken in meetings. This topic covers the entire process of managing meetings from planning, execution and time management.
Record Keeping – designed to equip the FPC members with necessary skills to keep records.
Financial management – Designed to equip the FPC with necessary skills to understand, interpret and keep financial records.
Participatory Needs Assessment – Introduces FPC members to participatory skills in project management.
Use of Participatory Rural Appraisal tools in project selection and planning – Introduces the FPC members to selected PRA tools like Social Mapping, Community Profiling, Semi-structured Interviews, Focus Group Discussion and pair wise ranking among others.
Principles of community empowerment – Introduction to various factors affecting communities and how to reveal and utilize hidden community resources
Conflict management – Designed to equip the FPC with necessary skills in conflict resolution and how to manage competing interests.
Project Evaluation - designed to equip the FPC members with necessary skills to evaluate and report on project progress
Introduction to Financial Management – This gives an insight into why Financial Management is important for the FPC, What is Financial Management, What is Financial Control, Who is Responsible for Financial Management, The Principle of Financial Management, The building Blocks of Financial Management and the tools of Financial Management.
Planning and Budgets – This describes the planning process and how it links with financial management. It highlights different types of budgets and when to use them and describes approaches to budgeting. In addition it looks at good practice in budgeting.
Understanding Accounts - this session gives an Introduction to the Mysteries of Accounting Concepts and Jargon. It includes Discussion on why FPC needs to keep accounts. Describes the different methods used to keep track of financial transactions. Outlines which accounting records to keep. Defines and explains key financial accounting concepts and terminology. Describes the financial statements which are prepared from the accounts.
Financial Reports -This session is all about Making Sense of the Numbers. It gives an insight to the who, what, when and why of financial reporting, It explains how to interpret financial statements, Explains how to compile and use the information in management accounts. Outlines the important features of reports. Outlines reasons for reporting to the Stakeholders.
Safeguarding Assets - It is more sensible to establish a system to deter fraud rather than one to discover it. This session explains the importance of introducing internal controls, Outlines the principles of delegation of authority and separation of duties, Highlights the importance of cash control and reconciliation routines, Discusses ways to manage and control fixed assets, and Gives advice on how to manage incidences of fraud and other irregularities.
Leadership – Designed to equip the trainees with necessary skills in leadership. Understand what is meant by leadership, appreciate different leadership skills and know how to develop their leadership skills.
Decision making – designed to equip the participants with necessary skills in decision making.
Communication Skills – Designed to equip the trainees with effective communication skills.
Internal control systems – Designed to equip the trainees with necessary skills in quality control in the overall organizational management.
Project evaluation – designed to equip participants with necessary skills in project evaluation.
Team work and team building – designed to equip the trainees with necessary skills and enable them to be effective team members and team players.