Not Just a Trading Company was set up by the The Lorna Young Foundation (LYF). The LYF is a UK registered charity that helps smallholder producer organisations in developing countries and marginalised communities and groups in the UK to improve their livelihoods through trade.

The LYF helps smallholder farmers in the developing world to add value to what they grow and lift themselves out of poverty without the need for aid.

The LYF also works with communities in the UK helping them to improve thrie livelihoods through trade, whilst also helping to raise awareness about trade injustice in the developing world. This involves the creation of community-owned ethical trading social enterprises that move value along the supply chain and support communities at both ends of the process.

The LYF is all about self-determination for communities – both in developing countries and in the UK – offering the knowledge and capacity communities need in order to take more control of their livelihoods.

In recent years, the LYF has set up a number of innovative ventures based around trade and trade justice. These include:

The Oromo Coffee Company - a refugee owned social enterprise importing and selling high quality coffee in the UK. The OCC provides training and work opportunities for Oromo and othe people in the UK, whilst also supporting Ethhiopian farmers through sourcing their coffee. www.oromocoffee.org

The Black Gold Foundation - a trade-justice campaign building on the issues raised in the critically acclaimed documentary film, Black Gold. The BGF is a joint venture between the LYF and the makers of the Black Gold film. www.blackgoldfoundation.org

The Smallholder Support Network - we aim to create a global network of smallholder producer organisations and local colleges working together to share learning, good practice, skills and ideas. We are piloting the network with partners in Ethiopia and Kenya, working with local coffee farmer cooperatives and colleges. Read More

Find out more about the LYF at www.lyf.org.uk