For many of us, a wooden bird, cat ornaments or decorative gift is simply a beautiful object that brightens our home. Yet behind every handmade piece created by Mitra Bali Fair Trade lies a story of craftsmanship, culture and opportunity.
Mitra Bali is a Fair Trade organisation based in Bali, Indonesia, that has been working to support artisans, their families and local communities since 1993. As a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Mitra Bali is committed to ensuring that trade benefits the people who create the products, not just those who sell them. They do this by following the 10 fair trade principles.
Today, the organisation works with around 100 artisan producer groups, supporting more than 1,000 skilled men and women across Bali and Indonesia. These artisans create a wide range of handmade crafts using traditional skills that have often been passed down through generations.
Many of the wooden birds, animal ornaments, decorative gifts and home accessories available at Voyage Fair Trade have been lovingly handcrafted by artisans working with Mitra Bali. Every carving represents hours of skill, patience and creativity, transforming sustainable wood into something that can be treasured for years.
Supporting Artisans Through Fair Trade
Many small-scale producers in Bali face significant challenges. Limited access to finance, transport and export markets can make it difficult for talented artisans to earn a stable income from their work.
Mitra Bali helps bridge this gap by providing fair payment, advance orders, training and access to international markets. This allows artisans to focus on developing their skills while receiving reliable income for themselves and their families.
The organisation believes that traditional craftsmanship should be valued and protected. By helping artisans access customers around the world, Mitra Bali ensures that these important cultural skills continue to thrive for future generations.
Mitra Bali Fair Trade – Caring for the Environment
Mitra Bali recognises that protecting the environment is essential for the future of both local communities and traditional crafts.
Many of the products are created using sustainable Albesia wood, one of the fastest-growing timber species used in Indonesian handicrafts. The organisation also supports environmental initiatives, including tree planting programmes to help replace harvested trees and preserve Bali’s natural landscape.
This commitment to sustainability means customers can enjoy beautifully crafted products while supporting responsible use of natural resources.
Mitra Bali Fair Trade – More Than a Product
What makes Fair Trade special is that every purchase has a story behind it.
When you choose a handcrafted ornament, bird sculpture, wooden animal or gift made by Mitra Bali artisans, you are helping support families, preserve traditional skills and encourage a trading system built on fairness and respect.
At Voyage Fair Trade, we are proud to work with organisations like Mitra Bali that demonstrate how business can create positive change while producing exceptional handmade products.
As Mitra Bali themselves say:
“We know that what we have done, are doing, and will do is still far from our hopes and dreams. That is why we must continue this process and then another world is possible.”
Browse our collection of Mitra Bali products and discover the craftsmanship, creativity and stories behind every handmade piece.
