Echoing Green was established in 1987 by the senior leadership of General Atlantic, LLC. As the Story Goes...

Echoing Green’s founders had great success in the private sector and were looking to bring proven venture capital investment strategies to the social sector.

The idea for Echoing Green was sparked in an overstuffed car en route from Connecticut to New York. Upon reaching the destination, a commitment to launch Echoing Green was made. Through the creation of Echoing Green, General Atlantic has helped pioneer the strategy of applying entrepreneurial principles to social sector investing. Our Name

Named after a William Blake poem, Echoing Green opened its doors in 1987 and supported successful recent business school graduates (such as Diana Propper de Callejon—who is credited as our first investment) to work in the social sector. Although Echoing Green’s program evolved throughout the years, we have consistently supported visionary leaders and their innovative ideas for social change. Like some venture capital firms, we consider ourselves active investors—not just providing funding, but also helping our social entrepreneurs achieve their maximum potential through a range of support services, including training, networking opportunities, consulting, and championing. Similarly, we view our fellows as investment partners, with whom we collaborate as they build and grow their organizations and with whom we hope to have a long-term relationship. Still supported by our original founders,

Echoing Green is celebrating its 22nd anniversary and continues to search the world for new leaders who have untested, smart ideas that deserve to be implemented.

The Foundation’s mission is to work with businesses, community groups and individuals to improve the trading position of producer organisations in the South and to deliver sustainable livelihoods for farmers, workers and their communities by

– * being a passionate and ambitious development organisation committed to tackling poverty and injustice through trade

* using certification and product labelling, through the FAIRTRADE Mark, as a tool for our development goals

* bringing together producers and consumers in a citizens’ movement for change

* being recognised as the UK’s leading authority on Fairtrade What we do

THEIR four key areas of activity are:

* Providing an independent certification of the trade chain, licensing use of the FAIRTRADE Mark as a consumer guarantee on products

* Facilitating the market to grow demand for Fairtrade and enable producers to sell to traders and retailers

* Working with our partners to support producer organisations and their networks

* Raising public awareness of the need for Fairtrade and the importance of the FAIRTRADE Mark

The Foundation works to the definition of Fair Trade agreed by FINE, a working group of the four international Fair Trade networks (Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International, International Fair Trade Association, Network of European World Shops and the European Fair Trade Association):

Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers – especially in the South.