NEWS is the umbrella network of 15 national Worldshop associations in 13 different countries all over Europe. Through them we represent the Worldshops - shops that offer fairly traded products and campaign for a fairer world trade system.



Through its members - National Associations - NEWS represents approximately 2,500 Worldshops and 100,000 volunteers working in these shops.



In this website you can:



exchange experiences, ideas and best practices about quality Fair Trade products;



share awareness raising methods and successful Worldshop promotion concepts;



get to know people and the motivation behind the volunteers who work in Worldshops;



understand why Worldshops and their national associations are so important.





Worldshops are the windows of Fair Trade to the wider world, influencing the choices people make as they do their everyday shopping.



There is no common definition of a "Worldshop". Over the 13 countries represented in the NEWS network, a variety of different approaches can be found. New shops opening in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will no doubt add a new dimension to the variety of outlets to be found.



The functions of Worldshops normally include:

- selling fairly traded products [crafts, textiles, homeware, gifts, clothing, tea, coffee and other provisions]

- raising consumer awareness about the issues behind the concept via exhibitions, campaigns, plays, petitions, Fair Trade breakfasts etc.



Worldshops also provide a "meeting place" for like-minded individuals who come to discuss, share ideas and exchange views.