Alternative Approaches webinar series

April 18, 2025

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THIRST

Makaibari Tea Factory. Photo: Teekampagne

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.

More about alternative approaches

Next webinar

The next webinar is on July 31st – a glimpse into what a fairer and more sustainable tea industry could look like driven from the ground up… with a little extra help. Join JJohn, Managing Director of Grassroots Tea Corporation, as he shares the thinking behind this innovative model, the lessons learned so far and his hopes for a more equitable future in tea.

Book your place now

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.

THIRST continues to gather case studies of alternative approaches in the tea sector. If you would like to share your story, please contact us.

Tell us about your alternative approach

Dates, times, topics, speakers

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

July 31st	Producer organisations selling own brand tea \| Equifarm \| J John
September 25th	Independent plucking by plantation workers \| Hayleys \| Roshan Rajadurai
October 30th	Worker-Management dialogue platforms \| Chrysalis \| Vindhya Fernando
November 27th	Embedded Responsible Purchasing Practices \| Bettys & Taylors \| Suzy Garraghan and Frank Tanner
December 18th	National agency aggregating smallholder farms \| KTDA \| Sudi Matara
January 29th	Small scale futures market \| Independent \| James Montlake

*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

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.

View the webinar

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.

View the webinar