Alternative Approaches webinar series

Webinar series: Alternative Approaches in the tea sector

In 2024, THIRST published a report on Alternative Approaches in the tea sector. The report shares thirteen case studies of non-traditional business models and trading systems that have the potential to make the tea industry fairer for all. Each initiative has been assessed against the issues identified in THIRST’s Root Causes Analysis of Human Rights breaches in the tea sector and how they address them. This year we bring these case studies to life with a series of FREE webinars presented by the very people who are putting those alternative approaches into practice.

Whether you are involved in growing, selling, processing or buying tea – or represent civil society or government focusing on tea workers’ and farmers’ welfare, or are a consultant or technical expert, don’t miss these valuable opportunities to engage with some exceptional innovators in the tea sector, quiz them, challenge them, learn from them, be part of the discussion.

Dates, times, topics, speakers

The webinars will run from 0900-1000 GMT/BST on the last Thursday of each month*

*There will be no webinar in August. The December webinar will be held on the 18th as the last Thursday is Christmas Day

View past webinar recordings

Equifarm: helping farmers take control of the tea value chain

J.John takes you inside the story of Grassroots Tea Corporation (GTC), a bold initiative in Assam, India, that is flipping the script. Formed by several hundred small-scale indigenous farmers, GTC shows what’s possible when producers join forces, build their own processing units and sell tea under their own brand: Equifarm Tea.

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Mineral Springs: from Closed Estate to Thriving Cooperative

Sailesh Sharma explores the origins and journey of the small farmer association, Mineral Springs in Darjeeling, established by former workers on a closed tea estate.

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Teekampagne: Transparent, purpose-driven trading model

Dr Kathrin Gassert, Teekampagne’s Head of Business Development & Communication, describes its extraordinary origin story and demonstrates how the company’s unique trading model works to enhance value share, transparency and sustainability.

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Amba tea: Enhancing smallholders’ lives through value-added tea

AMBA’s co-founder Simon Bell explains how they succeeded in transforming a local economy by helping tea farmers to add value to their products, diversify their income and connect to international markets and high end tourism.

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Strengthening smallholder tea farmers through block farming

Transform Trade’s Africa Regional Director and THIRST Trustee, Filbert Kavia, leads this insightful session on how the innovative block farming approach can empower women and youth – who might otherwise be marginalised – as smallholder tea farmers.

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Kazi Yetu’s alternative approach to running a tea business

Kazi Yetu’s co-founder, Tahira Nizari, shares her experience of making a purpose-driven, vertically integrated speciality tea company profitable. Decent employment for women and enhancing smallholder farmers’ wellbeing are the driving force behind Kazi Yetu – and it also makes great business sense.

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