Fair Trade is a fast growing movement in South Africa. Given its rapid growth, sustainability and effective networking among stakeholders is important. The ultimate beneficiaries of Fair Trade are small-scale farmers and farm workers. However, they lack opportunities and power to engage in the governance of the Fair Trade system.

The “Environmental Monitoring Group” (EMG) was established in 1992 and is involved in facilitating debates, research and actions to bring about better relationships between people and the natural environment. Focus issues include rural development and water resource management. EMG works on capacity building with small groups and networks to take action on environmental and developmental issues through lobbying, advocacy and the production of publications. EMG supports small-scale farmers and farm workers to make better use of Fair Trade as a vehicle for development.

Interns will assist with EMG’s work with a community of small-scale rooibos tea farmers whose primary market is in Fair Trade. They will involve in the establishment and management of a farm which demonstrates conservation-farming techniques, and participate in EMG’s work with a local Fair Trade organisation for small-farmers and farm-workers (Association for Fairness in Trade). This will include training, advocacy, newsletter production and administration, as well as research (alternative markets for rooibos and other products). Land rehabilitation and fencing repairs may also be tasks. The internship will be based in a village in the Northern Cape.

Interns are expected to have knowledge in Fair Trade practices and policies, ILO standards, a basic understanding of South African and general development politics. Some experience with non-profit organizations and climate change adaptation equally an asset as is experience in media, communication or marketing. Bringing a laptop is essential.

The scheduled time for the internship is 3 months between July and September 2012. Training and seminars prior to the internship will be held in English. The tandem will be formed by a Maltese participant and a German/Swiss participant.