Evaluating fair trade as a development project: methodological considerations

Abstract

This article identifies the need for an appropriate methodology for evaluating Fair Trade, given that most evaluations to date have been in-house or commissioned reviews and hence have not followed a consistent approach. Focusing on the development aspects of Fair Trade, the article reviews a range of impact evaluation methods and presents a detailed methodology for analysing Fair Trade. This methodology incorporates standard project evaluation criteria and is based on a wide range of proven methods for collecting and analysing data, principally qualitative but also quantitative. This framework is a modular package from which practitioners may select according to their needs and means, while still retaining an overarching logic. The article illustrates its use by reference to evaluations undertaken in Costa Rica, Ghana, Nicaragua, and Tanzania. The approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of Fair Trade programmes and enables these to be compared with conventional development projects.

Acknowledgements

This article is based on a research paper entitled ‘Un commerce équitable et durable, entre marché et solidarité: diagnostic et perspectives’ [‘Sustainable Fair Trade, between Business and Solidarity: Diagnosis and Prognosis’] resulting from research carried out by the University of Liège (ULg 2002–2003) on behalf of the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office. Thanks to my colleagues for their contributions to this article, in particular F. Navez, G. Pirotte, G. Pleyers, M. Poncelet, and S. Vancutsem.

Notes

1. The list of main indicators to be identified, interview guides, and analysis matrices relating to the various different methods is available from the author.

2. For example, a small-budget evaluation could be confined to interviews, whereas a larger undertaking could use systematic consultations or even a formal questionnaire in order to gather quantitative date.

3. Choice of arena to be studied if this has not already been identified.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elisabeth Paul

Elisabeth Paul is a Research Fellow at the Fonds national de la recherche scientifique (FNRS) [National Foundation for Scientific Research] at the University of Liège. Her doctoral research is on the management of development assistance. Editor's note: Thanks are due to Caroline Beaumont for translating this from the French original.