Just Change seeks to economically link producer and consumer communities (such as community groups, cooperatives, schools, and faith groups) who share a common belief in justice and equality and a determination to create alternatives to the present competition-driven economy.

In India, the Just Change Trust has initiated the Just Change India Producer Company Ltd. (JCIPC) whose current members are four large community organisations totalling around 12,000 people.  The member villages trade their products amongst themselves as well to external client groups. Currently tea, rice, coconut oil and umbrellas are being traded, but as more members join more products will be added to the range. The Trust supports the community groups to research their products, develop their skills and spread the Just Change concept.

JCIPC is registered under the Indian Companies Act and has most recently started Just Change Retail where small groups of women who have set up their own village community shops are able to source the bulk of their products directly from producer groups. Starting with a pilot phase, then a benchmarking phase, JCIPC is currently (2009-11) going through a consolidation phase.

You can find out more on the JC India webpage.

Just Change in the UK

Selling tea in the UK presents very different challenges as we are by and large no longer producer communities and can’t trade our goods directly. But we still believe that both sides should get a good deal so we bring both ends of the supply chain as close as possible. We shop the loose tea straight from India to Chesterfield and distribute it as much as possible through community groups, adding no mark up except to pay our costs. This means that people can be involved in Just Change and buy fairly traded goods without having to pay over the odds.

The final cost of Just Change products is determined on the basis of a partnership between farmers and consumers so that trade benefits poor people in both communities. This principle means that Just Change:
o    enables producers and consumers to shape the market in which they operate rather than remote financial investors,
o    guarantees that farmers are paid a fair price for their tea at the outset,
o    shares surpluses fairly between growers and consumers, as well as others involved in the trading process,
o    is open and transparent about the way prices are determined,
o    allows producers and consumers to agree what is a fair and realistic exchange, rather than be subject to market forces that aim solely to maximise profits for investors.
 

In practice that means we can tell you what the true fair price of the tea is with no middle men ripping off the growers or the tea drinker.  If you like the idea and want to help us grow, then add a bit more and your money will go directly to helping disadvantaged communities in the UK and India.

For more information see our costs or contact a local volunteer group.