At the heart of gebana's vision is the belief that the principles of fair trade should be widely put into practice and eventually become the norm in all trade relations.

gebana ag is committed to qualitative growth. In close cooperation with our trade partners we strive for a common qualitative and quantitative development through business activities that are designed to be socially, ecologically and economically sustainable. Based on a comprehensive concept of quality the needs of gebana's various stakeholders are duly taken into account.

A further central element of our vision is to work out real costs that integrate external ecological and social costs as far as possible. Moreover, access to capital and the market shall be facilitated by means of capital transfer and direct investments, in particular for smaller producers in economically marginal regions.

gebana's Mission Statement

1. gebana ag is committed to the principles of fair trade and its aims which, at both national and international levels, are:

• the purchase and sale, production and distribution of goods which have mainly been produced or cultivated in economically disadvantaged countries and regions.
  
• the provision of services that further the economic, ecological and socially acceptable development of the regions of origin and their respective goods.
  

2. gebana ag fulfills its aims through consideration of commercial principles; its business operations aim to maintain the capital made available by shareholders and creditors and to realise a reasonable yield from equity capital in the long term.

3. gebana ag considers itself to be part of a holistic structure based on partnership in which environmental concerns as well as those of all stakeholders are properly considered.

4. gebana ag avoids any business aimed at maximising profits and any activities that intend to shift wealth and income from bottom to top.

5. gebana ag supports networks based on partnership at all levels; as a general rule, investment interests and business cooperations should only entered into on the basis of mutual minority participations.

6. gebana ag's activities and those of its constituent bodies adhere to the principle of maximum transparency from the centre outwards.

gebana's Fair Trade Criteria

The criteria of fair trade outlined here strive long-term for true partnership between all trading partners. They should guarantee ecologically, socially and economically sustainable development for all partners.
The criteria apply to gebana's relationship with its producers and processing companies in the producing countries. Expansion of these criteria to include other players in the trade chain will follow at a later stage.
The criteria recorded here have developed over time and correspond to currently practicable conditions. The effects of these criteria will be reviewed regularly with regard to the general aims of fair trade and will be further developed accordingly.

Trade Relations

• gebana's fair trade strives toward long-term, stable relationships with its trade partners, in particular with its producers.
  
• gebana ag works with associations of small producers (e.g. cooperatives), with family-run businesses and directly with producers, marketing associations, private exporters, organisations promoting export and small to medium sized businesses (plants, plantations, processing companies etc) in economically marginal regions all over the world.
  
• gebana ag endeavours to include all trade partners (producers and employees) in establishing trade relations.
  

Objectives

Products should be bought directly from producers and their associations wherever possible in order to allow a direct market access.

Working Conditions

• gebana ag requires itself and its partner companies with employees (in plants, on plantations etc.) to fulfill the minimum social and health requirements according to national law and ILO conventions, to pay living wages, to keep  working hours to an acceptable level and to provide suitable and safe working conditions.
  
• gebana ag safeguards freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and equal pay and the elimination of forced labour and child labour.
  
• gebana ag supports company efforts to ensure a safe working environment (protective clothing, good lighting and ventilation, etc.) and protection from other influences that may be harmful to health.
  

Objectives

Equal pay for men and women and equality irrespective of race, ethnic origin, gender or religion.

Compliance with minimum social requirements at company level should improve the status of employees in the countries of origin and set a positive example for commercial trade.

Prices

• As a fair trade organisation gebana ag pays prices that cover costs and provide a living wage, i.e. prices above the local minimum guaranteeing producers a living.
  
• Decisions on how to use profits (gained through premiums/additional payments) from fair trade will be left to the producers themselves.
• On request, prefinancing or cheap loans are granted proportionately.
• Transparent price policies are carried out.
  

Objectives

To safeguard livelihoods and uphold a life in dignity.

Products

• As a fair trade organisation, gebana offers marketable, high quality goods which are produced with concern for social conditions and the environment; product quality meets market standards in the consuming countries. Working toward these standards provides producers with the market and business knowledge necessary for growth.
  
• Where agricultural produce is concerned environmentally friendly (organic, GMO free) mixed cultivation is preferable.
  
• Subsistence farming must not be put at risk and marketing of produce within the regions should be ensured.
  

Objectives

Quality improvement and development of new products and production methods in order to increase their marketability.

A gradual transition to ecological production methods, cultivation and processing according to the standards of approved certification and environmental organisations.

Transparency and Public Relations

• As a fair trade organisation gebana ag cultivates a policy of open information about producers, suppliers, origin of products, production, management, marketing, finances and the results of quality control checks.
  
• Information is effectively directed and awareness is raised in order to further fair trade and its aims.
  

Objectives

To guarantee the credibility of fair trade and to cultivate the competence and professionalism of its participants. 

Monitoring and Control

• As a fair trade organisation gebana ag establishes internal and/or external independent bodies that oversee every step from the development process to compliance with the criteria and regularly evaluate these in cooperation with staff, representatives, the NGO and/or the unions.
  
• Compliance with gebana's criteria is regularly monitored by external and independent controlling bodies.
  

Objectives

Regular monitoring and control contribute to a gradual improvement of production methods and products. Controls should not impede market access for smaller production partners and they are therefore supported accordingly.

With regard to monitoring and control, we respect the status of employees and a complaints procedure has been put in place through which staff have the opportunity to  voice their concerns.