Shared interest

Shared Interest was established in 1990 by a group of Fair Trade pioneers who shared a vision of reducing poverty by providing credit and financial services to Fair Trade producers, retailers, importers and exporters worldwide.

They created a financial co-operative to pool money invested by people who shared their commitment to fair and just trade. This money was lent to farmers, artisans and other vulnerable groups in the developing world to enable them to grow their businesses and contribute to the development of their local communities. Twenty years on, Shared Interest is annually lending over £33 million and is working in 36 countries around the globe.

Anyone over the age of 16 with a UK bank account can invest in Shared Interest, and accounts range from £100 up to £20,000. Couples and families, businesses, faith groups, schools and community groups are all represented amongst Shared Interest’s member base.

Remember Apicoop , the Chilean producer co-operative? It was a loan from Shared Interest that helped them buy the land and materials necessary to expand into blueberry production!

Bexhill Fairtrade Town Group have an account with Shared Interest. Throughout the year, the group raises funds through a range of exciting events including Fairtrade coffee mornings and a Fairtrade Fashion show, which they have held with  local Bexhill College over the last three years. The Group had a discussion about what they could do with this money and decided to open an account with Shared Interest. Because Shared Interest provides financial services to Fairtrade producers, the group felt that the investment was not only in line with their values, but that it was also a way to ensure the money could have maximum impact.