Ten Thousand Villages / World Market Place Inc

In 2023, the organization purchased almost 270,000 of inventory from artisans in developing countries who are paid a fair living wage for their products. Ten Thousand Villages in asheville, nc is a fair trade retailer of artisan- crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe. Featuring products from more than 130 artisan groups in some 30 countries, Ten Thousand Villages is part of a network of over 60 retail outlets throughout the united states. Together, the organization helps break the cycle of poverty and impact the lives of 20,000 makers in 30 developing countries. A founding member of the World fair trade organization (wfto), Ten Thousand Villages has spent more than 70 years cultivating trading relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to distinctive handcrafted items. The organization seeks to establish long-term buying relationships in places where skilled artisans are under- or unemployed and in which they lack other opportunities for income. Ten Thousand Villages is a global maker-to-market movement. The organization is committed to the following ethical practices: ensuring makers earn a fair living wage in safe working conditions, caring for the earth, investing in partnerships that empower communities, and celebrating craft and culture.