The Black Gold Foundation is the result of a partnership between the LYF and the makers of the BLACK GOLD movie, and is set to be a major new force highlighting international trade justice issues. It capitalises on the global success and strength of the BLACK GOLD movie and brand to raise awareness of trade justice issues, and provides a space for debate and challenge.
The Black Gold movie premiered in 2006 at the Sundance Film Festival and has since gone on to be seen by millions of people around the world. The movie questions the way that coffee is traded as a commodity and the impact it has on the smallholder communities that depend on coffee for their livelihood. The farmers who rely on this crop often know little of the end buyer, the supply chain, and why they all too often see one year’s earnings turn into next year’s debts. More often than not, they are at the mercy of markets beyond their control.
The movie called for trade justice and transparency in commercial supply chains to help farmers get a fair return for their crops in commodity markets. Critically acclaimed, it has informed, stimulated debate, and inspired thousands of people to demand changes in the way that the affluent North secures crops from poor farmers in developing countries.
The Black Gold Foundation aims to become a recognised authority on trade justice issues – providing informed, objective and up to date information, educational ma
terials and comment. The Foundation’s aims are:
- To be a loud, informed and objective voice in the trade justice arena
- To be the leading hub for politicians, farmers, consumers, activists, students and business leaders to access accurate, challenging and impartial information and comment on trade justice issues
- To genuinely influence and progress the cause of trade justice, leading to more equitable trading around the World
- To provide support for activists, educationalists and communities, through a range of interactive and user-friendly learning materials and resources
- To provide a safe space for debate and discussion on trade justice issues
- To create a BGF fellowship of world leading academics, practitioners and producer representatives, continually contributing towards progression of the trade justice debate
- To create a grassroots membership of activists, smallholder producers, independent coffee shops, schools and community groups
