What we do

We bring together key actors in the tea sector to discuss problems and explore solutions through inclusive and constructive dialogue. For example, we organise multi-stakeholder roundtable discussions to reflect on systemic issues within the industry and to build connections between different parts of the sector and to work together to seek solutions.

THIRST shares and generates knowledge, insights and expertise on human rights in the tea sector to help ensure that tea workers’ and farmers’ representatives, civil society and the industry have access to the most up-to-date insights and information. For example,  we consulted with stakeholders throughout the tea sector on the human rights impacts of the sector and then invited them to discuss the findings at multi-stakeholder roundtable meetings. We are also documenting examples of alternative approaches in the tea sector so that innovative ideas can be tested, shared and scaled up where appropriate. These documents build together to form our seminal body of work on ‘Human Rights in the Tea Sector – The Big Picture’.

In addition to the human rights impact assessment, we also research and publish reports on issues that are critical to the tea sector. These include a briefing on the risk factors for gender-based violence in the tea sector, the long view of human rights in the Assam tea sector, and a collection of case studies of alternative approaches to employment, trading and business models. (These can all be found on our Knowledge Hub – see below).

We are always open to discussion with civil society, academics, companies and governments on new research initiatives that would fill the knowledge gap in key human rights areas in the sector.

We also undertake consultancies where these are aligned with our goals and mission, and have fed into many consultations, such as Fairtrade’s tea and hired labour standards and the Ethical Trading Initiative’s Gender Action in Agriculture (GAIA).

The Knowledge Hub

THIRST curates a range of knowledge resources on our Knowledge Hub, regularly updating it with the latest tools, resources and research publications on human rights and environmental issues in the tea sector. This is a free resource that THIRST offers the tea industry and other stakeholders who are focused on transforming the tea industry. Let us know if you have a published or upcoming resource that you would like us to share on the Knowledge Hub, or if you think a particular report is missing.

Monthly Tea News Updates

We publish a monthly round up of news on human rights and environmental issues in the tea sector from media around the world, providing comment and analysis informed by our research and our ongoing interactions with the industry and its stakeholders. Subscription is free of charge (though we welcome dconations to help keep our work going!)

Webinars

We also invite experts to share their knowledge at webinars on topics that range from cooperatives to climate change mitigation to smart contracts,  from trade unions to trading in tea futures. In 2025, we are holding a series of webinars on alternative approaches in the tea sector presented by innovative practitioners across the tea world demonstrating new business models, employment practices and trading systems.

We don’t do projects on the ground, but we do collaborate with diverse stakeholders to find and develop innovative and practical solutions to the systemic issues that drive tea workers’ and farmers’ problems.

For example, in 2024 we began working with the German tea brand, Teekampagne and Darjeeling-based NGO, DLR Prerna to deliver a pilot programme seeking to Save Darjeeling Tea through changes at plantation, producer, buyer and consumer level.