SIPA (Federation of South India Producer Associations) is the collective initiative of voluntary agencies, NGOs and non profit social groups involved in livelihood programmes in the five southern states of India.

Members include 55 organisations, involving over 9000 artisans.  Thirty of these organisations are specifically for women.  SIPA exports on behalf of Bethany Colony Leprosy Association, whose products Trade Aid has bought in the past. 

SIPA’s philosophy is to support people’s own initiatives towards mutual support and socio-economic development through “learning by sharing”.

SIPA offers professional support and backup services, marketing, training, information exchange, management support and consultancy. 

Producers enjoy the benefits of fair trade, as well as training programmes according to their specific needs, micro credit support, and a share in SIPA’s export profits.

SIPA’s sales are all in export, and cover a wide variety of crafts including the wooden toys and palm leaf baskets imported by Trade Aid this year.  They are working hard to enter the mainstream market and now have two commercial buyers.