Ethical Santa is paying a visit to Exeter...

Global Indigo, a local not-for-profit organisation supporting worldwide co-operatives through ethical trade, will be hosting their first pop-up shop this Christmas in Exeter, from Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th December in McCoys Arcade, Fore St, Exeter.

The organisation encourages positive impact shopping by going further than Fairtrade and letting customers know exactly who they are helping, about their cause, and the issues they face.

The pop-up shop will give visitors a chance to do some responsible Christmas shopping, offering the chance to buy gifts, accessories, home wares and chocolate from co-operatives from around the world; local artist wares will also be on sale.

They support groups in Nicaragua, Ecuador, Colombia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Nepal, Burma and Kenya. With every purchase comes a leaflet about the producer, connecting the customer to the people and the cause they are helping.

Global Indigo supports those who have taken the first steps to help themselves and their families through forming and joining cooperatives which produce ethically made crafts, providing income for members, and funds for the cooperatives’ families.

"The co-operatives are sourced through personal links, ensuring legitimacy and setting a strong foundation for collaborative working."

All Global Indigo's groups follow ethical practice, and include groups too small to be Fairtrade accredited. Unlike most Fairtrade shops, they are not-for-profit. The groups are spread across the globe and deal with a range of issues, from women’s groups, to indigenous farms, to orphaned children. They also support local artists and craftsman, providing them with a platform to market and sell their wares.

The partners' ambition is to establish a ‘Cultural Hub’: a community-driven interactive venue in Devon which would feature the producers’ artisanal products, an ethical coffee corner with cultural reading material, world music, documentary and film showings, and a variety of workshops.

Determined to reach this goal, they are working hard visiting different community fairs around Devon, and holding small fundraising events. See: www.globalindigo.org for more info.