Small producers have experienced increased production and transportation costs due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic

The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) awarded $390,500 under its Assistance for Overseas Programs (CFDA 85.750) Cooperative Agreement to Clac to establish a COVID-19 recovery fund supporting grassroots producer organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The fund will finance local solutions helping producer groups and their communities recover from COVID-19's impacts on livelihoods and increase economic resilience. As the Latin American representative of Fairtrade International's certified producers, Clac will partner with the IAF to provide support to organizations in 20 countries that are Fairtrade certified or aligned with Fair Trade principles. This award aims to strengthen regional bonds and support self-help efforts consistent with the IAF program's objectives.

They have also had limited access to financial or technical assistance to recover and invest in resilience to future crises. Fundación coordinadora latinoamericana Y DEL caribe DE pequeños productores Y trabajadores DE comercio justo (CLAC), the latin american representative of fairtrade international's certified producers, will establish a joint covid-19 recovery fund with the IAF that will support grassroots producer organizations from 20 countries in latin america and the caribbean that are fairtrade certified or aligned with fair trade principles. The fund will finance creative local solutions that help producer groups and their communities recover from the impact of covid-19 on their livelihoods and increase their economic resilience. This grant is part of the IAF's broader covid-19 response strategy.