Our Charity

Believing Business Can Break Barriers

We apply an inclusive and innovative ethos, putting people and planet first. Our projects follow three key strategic themes; Business Enterprise, Women and Youth Empowerment and Climate Resilience.

Due to the unique circumstances of each rural community and business, we collaborate with in-country partners to create and deliver support across Africa and Latin America. We work from grassroots up and a fundamental part of this is building resilience through the development of strategic planning, financial management and leadership skills as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation.

We believe strong, well-managed businesses create employment opportunities and increase the income of their producers, improving their quality of life. Our Theory of Change indicates how our sustainability interventions can shape positive change. It helps in project development, informs our monitoring and provides a framework for impact assessment.

Our Strategic Themes

Working in partnership with local organisations, we implement projects that aim to:

• Strengthen the resilience and sustainability of co-operatives, supporting thousands of farmers and artisans.
• Increase the business and agricultural skills of producers and artisans to improve product quality, output and resilience to climate change.
• Support the development of sustainable, income-generating enterprises to improve livelihoods, reduce poverty and empower women and young people.

Our Sustainable Development Goals

These Sustainable Development Goals are embedded in our mission and values:

1: No Poverty
5: Gender Equality
8: Decent work and Economic Growth
9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
12: Responsible Consumption and Production
13: Climate Action
17: Partnership for the Goals

Our three strategic project themes ensure we achieve our aims and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by maximising our impact and equipping smallholder farmers and craftspeople with the vital skills and resources necessary to lift them out of poverty and build a brighter future.

Our Supporters

Partnership plays a huge part in all of our projects and it is only with the support of partners, colleagues, volunteers, donors, and grants from trusts and foundations that we are able to continue to support the talents of rural businesses.

These achievements were recognised by the Charity Times Awards in 2022, where Shared Interest Foundation was named Charity of the Year with an income of less than £1 million. These prestigious awards celebrate outstanding efforts within the voluntary sector.

Shared Interest Foundation in 2024

"We were delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Foundation this year. We are proud to say that over the past 20 years, we have delivered 51 projects, in 15 countries, reaching over 13,000 farmers and artisans. 

Our projects span diverse communities, from vegetable farmers with disabilities in Burkina Faso to coffee farmers in Rwanda. In Ivory Coast, we assisted young cocoa farmers in improving farm productivity through sustainable practices. While new and ongoing initiatives strengthened beekeeping, agroforestry, and governance skills, allowing participants to build more resilient livelihoods.

As Chair, I am deeply inspired by the achievements of our colleagues and partners, and by the positive impact we are making in rural communities. Our projects demonstrate the significant progress towards a world where trade fosters the opportunity for justice and inclusivity. 

This year’s activities underscore our unwavering dedication to supporting sustainable livelihoods and empowering communities."

Dr. Yvonne Gale, Shared Interest Foundation Chair, in an excerpt from our Annual Review. 

Read Shared Interest Foundation's 2024 Annual Review here.

Support our work

If you would like to donate to support transformational projects in Africa and Latin America, please click the button below. 

You can choose to donate online, donate by post, fundraise or leave a legacy. 

Thank you.