Our Malawi Partnership
Changing lives through the power of co-operation
Our Malawi Partnership is built on a simple belief: trade, not aid, creates lasting change.
Working with the Co-op College and the Malawi Federation of Co-operatives (Mafeco), we’re helping farmers and producers strengthen their businesses, improve livelihoods and create opportunities for their communities.
Funded through our Co-operative International Trading Development Fund, the partnership invests in projects that help build trading capacity and support long-term, sustainable growth.
Find out more about Our Malawi Partnership and how co-operation is helping to improve lives.
How the partnership began
Our Malawi Partnership launched on 2 July 2022, as we celebrated the 100th International Day of Co-operatives.
We chose Malawi because it is one of the world's poorest countries, with some extremely challenging conditions, but it has incredible co-operative and trading potential. Most farmers are smallholders, and almost 70% of the population lives below the national poverty line.
How it works
For every £1 you spend on Co-op Fairtrade products, we put a proportion aside for the partnership. Products in the Our Malawi Partnership range also contribute when you buy them.
The fund is administered independently by the Co-op College and Mafeco, who work together to develop, deliver and monitor work plans in Malawi. The Co-op College established Mafeco as Malawi's first national apex body for co-operatives.
Our impact so far
Increased coffee production from 300,000kg to 500,000kg.
Increased organic fertiliser use across local farmers.
Supported 30 Co-op Union members with over 1,000 macadamia seedlings.
The world's first Fairtrade macadamia nuts
Working with our friends at Nutcellars, we launched the world’s first Fairtrade certified macadamia nut product.
Supporting women farmers
The partnership also supports women farmers in Malawi to grow, sustain and sell their crops. Read six of their stories.
Where to buy Our Malawi Partnership products
Look out for the Our Malawi Partnership logo in our FoodCoop stores, or choose from our range of Co-op Fairtrade products. Partner brands include Nutcellars, Liberation, Revolver, True Origin, One Water and One Malawian Spice Grinders.
Your questions about Our Malawi Partnership
Latest news
OurCoop celebrates International Day of Cooperatives and four years of changing lives through Our Malawi Partnership
As co-operatives around the world came together to celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives on 4 July, OurCoop marked the occasion by celebrating…
6 July 2026
OurCoop marks International Women’s Day by celebrating the resilience of women farmers in Malawi
OurCoop is marking International Women’s Day 2026 by celebrating the leadership, resilience and achievements of women farmers in Malawi, in a year that the…
4 March 2026