Rural – Kenya World Cultural Link (CULINKE) acknowledges the fact that trade provide benefits, but these do not “trickle down” automatically to the poorest people”. As Hendrik Roelofsen of International Trade Centre (ITC) envisioned it is therefore important by to find solution to fill the gaps between trade- related economic growth and poverty reduction. 

 

It is in the light of this that CULINKE will seek a workable, lasting and fulfilling partnership with ITC, Fair Trade Association / Alternative Trading Organisation and other aspiration-shared organisations to use trade for viable social change.  It is not in doubt too that trade acts as an engine for growth, but strategies hamper rather than promote trade in many developing countries, Kenya included.

 

CULINKE partnering with ITC through The Export-led Poverty Reduction Programme (EPRP) and the Alternative-Trading Organisations (ATO) hopes to formulate strategies that will result into poor people, who today hardly participate in informal economy, become active participants in export activities.

This Trilateral Partnership should see growth occurring in sectors where small producers are integrated into the value chain of products over time hence employment creation, sustained income and improved welfare for communities.

 

CULINKE’S raison d etre in trade and poverty is to improve living standard for the poor by promoting trade a as a “fast- track” to development, focusing on high-impact sectors and making links between poor producers and export networks. This cannot be achieved without capacity-building and networking and without adherence to the principles of Fair Trade. For underprivileged producers, tapping into international business through the Trilateral Partnership is expected to bring access to wider and wealthier markets. Working with ITC and the ATO and borrowing from past experience CULINKE expects to make a tangible difference very fast.

 

Artisanal groups including tailors and designers, especially on the original idea of the African designers dress print and patterns ideal for summer wear should fetch a good market abroad. The EPRP and ATO takes a complimentary approach to “macro” poverty reduction strategies by targeting poor communities directly and striving for a “bottom-up” effect. The programme links up poor but talented communities with export chain of products and services they can supply.  Once again CULINKE will work closely with ITC in this regard.

 

CULINKE works through organised groups with community led and driven development initiatives to reduce poverty through trade.