Context & Goals

From the Ethical Trade Forums we created this new working group to address the systemic challenge of health and safety in the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector. We try to address this issue through three main branches of work:

• Criteria comparison: Health and safety is one of the most extensive pillars in audits. The sector faces multiple methodologies, standards and audits that, added to the legislation in this area at the national level, can cause confusion, audit fatigue, and lack of alignment to produce evidence and meet the different criteria. From this working group we intend to facilitate the implementation of health and safety activities, taking into account the differences and similarities between audit criteria and legislation.
• Preventative culture: From the working group we proposed the definition and contextualization of the challenge of preventative culture in the sector. There is the challenge of health and safety seen as a mere criterion of compliance, with is a lack of culture that promotes prevention within the company at all levels. From the working group our objective is to work on a long-term value proposition, in the form of a diagnostic tool. We will try to provide support to companies and practical resources to be able to establish a starting situation and take the appropriate steps. At the end of 2024, it was decided that the group could update the accommodation guide, published in 2020 to provide a preventive culture lens, beyond mere regulatory compliance.
• Community of Practices – SafeHabitus: The SafeHabitus Community of Practice, hosted in the Health and Safety Working Group of the Forums, is promoted in Spain by Oxfam and has the collaboration of Sainsbury´s. This Community aims to carry out an in-depth analysis of Health and Safety needs, explore solutions for the sector and exchange knowledge with other similar communities in 11 other European countries.

Creation

Actions & Achievements

2023

• Kick-off meeting in November 2023, definition of working areas and coordinators.
• Define action plans for the work areas.
• First meeting of the SafeHabitus community of best practices.

2024

• March-April 2024: Best practices and workshops on heat stress and management of middle managers.
• May 2024: Participation in a best practice online seminar on heat stress.
• July: Accompaniment to the heat stress project with Gs Group in Cúllar.
• July: Publication of a guide on prevention against extreme heat at work.
• October: co-hosts of the SafeHabitus autumn school in Seville, with participants from the project’s 11 communities of practice.

2025

• February: Participation in an online meeting on health and safety as a driver of sense of belonging in the company.
• April: Participation of working group memmber in the webinar on heat stress
• April: preparation and coordination of a workshop on accommodation at the face-to-face meeting in Vera, Almeria.Throughout the year: Progress in the creation of the first draft for the update of the safety and health section of the guiding principles, comparison with SMETA 7.0 and national legislation and establishment of common non-conformities and definition of best formats in which to publish this information. Expected publication Q1 2026.
• Update and publication of the accommodation guide with input from working group members. Throughout the year: Update and publication of the checklist on the Guide to Good Practices of accommodation and transport of workers” and inclusion of another checklist on the valuation of accommodation by seasonal workers for those companies that want a simple tool to provide feedback on the experience of workers. We have extended the public consultation period until June 2026 so that the organization that wants to can comment and suggest changes.
• October: organization of the online meeting “Housing and working conditions” where the updated accommodation guide and checklist was presented and where SJM presented the tuTECHÔ project on housing and inclusion through alliances with the third sector in Níjar.
• November: Ethical Trade Forums were present as speaker at the Workshop organized jointly by the SafeHabitus project and EU-OSHA. See news.

Coordinators

Participants

Context & Goals

Small and medium-sized companies delegate compliance with legal obligations in many areas to labour agencies and consultancies, and more and more non-financial requirements are becoming mandatory, in which companies seek support in their consultancies. The objective of the group is the research and creation of materials and resources that allow us to know and reduce the gap related to ethical trade, and its requirements, and the important role played by consultancies in this field.

Due to several factors, such as the lack of contacts, or member companies of the Forums that do not work directly with consultancies, we had difficulties in materializing the objective that was proposed in 2024: that of holding a training day in a college of social graduates.

• In 2025, we gave a margin of 6 months to try to reactivate the line of work, trying to incorporate advisors within the working group as well as other stakeholders to make a last attempt. At the end of 2025, due to the lack of traction on this particular issue, the redirection of this working group to a slightly broader topic and closer to companies in the sector was proposed. This group will be redirected towards specific projects and themes with the aim of supporting the small farmer. The goal is to create a work proposal and start covering the main challenges in 2026. A new call will be made for forum members to be part of the new working group.

Creation

Actions & Achievements

• Initial meeting with the College of Social Graduates of Murcia to establish a collaboration plan (change in the board of directors caused talks to be paused).
• Meeting with the College of Social Graduates of Alicante, to present the project.
• Creation of draft training proposal, found with lack of time and availability.

Coordinators

Participants

Context & Goals

The working group was created to address systemic challenges related to environmental sustainability in the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector. Due to the breadth of the term, multiple workstreams were identified in which the group could add value. The value of the group’s work can be highlighted in different formats, such as guides, checklists, good practices, organization of seminars, participation in events, organization of workshops, among others. In 2023, a priority survey was carried out, bringing to light the following topics:

1. Environmental standards (SPRING, LEAF, Naturland, etc.).
2. Biodiversity in the agri-food sector.
3. Sustainability in use and selection of packaging.
4. Waste management.
5. Responsible management and handling of phytosanitary products.
6. Organic production.

However, this group is a living group that adapts to the needs of the sector and its members. In mid-2024, this group received a proposal from the Guiding Principles and Due Diligence Working Group to include a sixth principle on environmental sustainability within the five already in place. During 2025, work was done on the creation of the draft of this principle, which still needs to be published. It is expected to be published in the first half of 2026.

In addition, the working group wanted to encourage the sharing of best practices in a more immersive way, creating the visit days, which were launched in the second half of 2024. These conferences, only available to members of the forums, consist of a visit to a company that plays the role of host and showing, throughout a face-to-face session, the practical application of key aspects of environmental sustainability.

Creation

Actions & Achievements

• Publication of an introductory guide and best practices for calculating the carbon footprint in the horticultural sector (available only in Spanish).
• Organisation and participation of various workshops, seminars and best practices in different relevant areas for the sector:

2021

• March 2021: Workshop within Regional online event: Presentation of best practices in environmental sustainability.
• May 2021: Online Seminar: Carbon footprint
• June 2021: Workshop within International online event: Circular economy.
• September 2021: Online seminar: Responsible use of water.
• November 2021: Expert round table within Online event: Water – environmental challenge and possible technological solutions. The Mar Menor case.

2022

• February 2022: Online seminar: Circular economy and waste management.
• March 2022: Event in Huelva: Best agronomic practices for irrigation in the surroundings of the Doñana National Park.
• March 2022: Workshops within regional events in Almeria, Murcia and Huelva: Efficient use of water.
• April 2022: Online seminar: Sustainable water and soil management.
• June 2022: Workshop within International event in Granada: Environmental criteria in agriculture standards.
• November 2022: Regional events titled “After the water and carbon footprint in the agrifood sector” in Almeria, Huelva and Valencia (presentations, workshops and best practices).

2023

• June 2023: Workshop within International event in Sevilla and Murcia: LEAF Marque.
• October 2023: Online seminar: Biodiversity in the agri-food sector (part II): Strategies, implementation and best practices.

2024

• March – April 2024: Regional events in Huelva and Almería: Workshops on the sustainability challenges of plastic packaging.
• May: support in the organization of the seminar entitled “Innovations for the reduction of losses and waste in the agri-food sector”, where we learned about the European SISTERS project and we have good practices on product use and the sustainability passport from the hand of two companies.
• June: Holding of a workshop titled “Sustainability values in the guiding principles of the forums” as an initial consultation process for the inclusion of environmental criteria within the guiding principles of the forums
• September: Open day visit to el Ciruelo. See article.

2025

• January: open day at Grupo Paloma. See article.
• Contributions from the working group for the creation of the first draft of the environmental sustainability section of the Forums.
• June: organization of a round table entitled “connecting climate, resources and human and environmental rights”, with a very varied panel of speakers and moderated by Louise Nichols of the Food Network for Ethical Trade.September: open day at Driscoll’s, Portugal. See article.
• July: creation of a new section on the website of the forums on the visiting days. Visit it here.
• October: Visiting day at Eurosol. See news.
• November: Visiting day in Fontestad. See news.
• November: Support in the organization and definition of the theme and the workshop of the face-to-face meeting in Valencia entitled “Food Waste in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector: Challenges and Opportunities”

Coordinators

Participants

Context & Goals

The creation of this group was prompted by the challenge of the migration sector and the conditions of vulnerability faced by its workers, especially migrants. The objective is to promote a Personalized Itinerary for Labor and Social Insertion (IPIL), feasible and extrapolated to different contexts in Spain, through networking.

The project of concatenation of campaigns seeks to ensure that workers living in very poor settlements or housing situations can obtain decent work and accommodation through companies and other relevant interest groups in the process.

Creation

Actions & Achievements

• Establishment of an initial, small network of companies and social organizations to manage a potential sequence of workers.
• Use of the experience of Cáritas Huelva and Huelva Acoge in protocols for interviewing and preselecting seasonal workers living in shantytowns.
• June 2021: Workshop within Online event: Circular labour migration.
• May 2023: Online seminar to promote the project along with best practices.
• October 2023: Integration of App Foros within the working group’s mission.
• Dec 23 – May 24: App Foros: Development of structure and content creation for the App.
• June – October 2024: first success in the concatenation of the red fruit campaign in Huelva, to the beet and corn campaign in Segovia by Huercasa with a total of 18 workers.During the first half of 2025, the group has been working on the dissemination of App Foros.

2025

• During the first half of 2025, the group has been working on the dissemination of App Forums, although this work was separated during the year from the working group, creating a group of local experts to support the strategic and content direction of the app

• September: participation in the online seminar “Challenges of migrant workers and impact of the Forums App”.

• Throughout the year: success in completing a complete cycle of concatenation with a small group of workers. Starting with the red fruit campaign, followed by the processing of corn and beet in Segovia with about 40 workers, and ending with the olive harvest campaign in Cordoba, with 7 workers.

Coordinators

Participants

Context & Goals

Creation and evolution of the guiding principles of the Forums, as well as tools that facilitate companies in monitoring risks and providing appropriate resources to promote best practices.

The group is in the process of reactivating in 2025 and met a few times to establish the “path” of the guiding principles, from the time the member companies of the forums sign their commitment to a recognition of exemplarity. Due to the workload and prioritization of activities, this reactivation of the group did not manifest itself in 2025. However, we have it in mind for 2026, whose framework objective will be the redirection of the group to mark the roadmap of the members within the association.

Creation

Actions & Achievements

• Creation and revision of the best practices guide for the Guiding Principles of the Forums (available only in Spanish).
• Development of the checklist for the Guiding Principles of the Forums (available only in Spanish).
• Creation of an interactive format for the checklist of the Guiding Principles (available only in Spanish).
• April 2025: Organization and facilitation of a workshop on due diligence, and ways to promote market recognition.

Coordinators

Participants

Context & Goals

The aim of the group is to renew the Ethical Trade Forums website, improving the user experience and achieving a more modern and functional website that is easy to navigate, attractive, secure, and effective in a constantly evolving digital environment.

Creation

Actions & Achievements

Participants

Context & Goals

This working group was born from the need to face the challenge of the effective implementation of social dialogue in the company through the development of resources that promote the creation of an environment conducive to the promotion, training and practical implementation of social dialogue between companies and workers.

The group culminated its work with the creation of a guide, developed collaboratively, which then led to pilot workshops on social dialogue at Eurosol. This training, developed by Professor Rosa María Torres Valdés, from the University of Alicante, resulted in several meetings within the company and the creation of a book on social dialogue.

Creation

Actions & Achievements

• Development of a guide for dialogue between worker and company representatives.
• Creation of a manual on communication strategies for conflict prevention and management.
• Series of pilot training sessions on social dialogue and co-creation of a book on social dialogue in companies based on that experience.
• March 2023: Workshop within Regional event in Huelva: Measuring the state of social dialogue in the business.
• December 2023: Social dialogue training at a company from Huelva.

Coordinators

Participants

Context & Goals

The decision of this working group was to create a tool that would address a systemic challenge in the sector on the implementation of complaint management mechanisms, with the aim of promoting and managing the creation of a centralized and independent complaints mechanism for the sector, and the training resources necessary for its correct implementation.

The working group carried out an extensive process of consultation and discussion among the participants of the group that culminated in the creation of a guide to complaint management mechanisms.

Creation

Actions & Achievements

• Creación y desarrollo de una guía de mecanismos de gestión de denuncias para los trabajadores.
• Varios talleres en Encuentros presenciales para el desarrollo del mecanismo de gestión de denuncias de los Foros.
• Participación activa en la creación de protocolos y procedimientos que definen el mecanismo.
• Noviembre 2021: Taller dentro del encuentro online: Acercamiento a la nueva directiva europea y la implementación práctica de mecanismos de denuncia en el Sector.
• Junio 2022: Taller dentro del Encuentro internacional de Granada: Mecanismo de gestión de denuncias.
• This working group was key to the design and development of the sketch and structure of what is now Canal Foros. The group passed the operational baton to Canal Foros and its coordination team, which shows that some of the activities of the working group give rise to strategic projects for the association, such as in this case, Canal Foros.

Coordinators

Participants

Context & Goals

Develop a tool aimed at providing a series of best practices and recommendations in various areas of the daily management of temporary labour providers, targeted at user companies responsible for creating optimal conditions for both the labour provider and the assigned workers to perform their tasks correctly.

Activity period

Actions & Achievements

• Best practices guide for the responsible use of temporary labour providers.
• Checklist of best practices in the use of temporary labour providers.
• Editable checklist template.
• Authorization and consent form for temporary labour providers to conduct checklist.
• List of suggested questions for workers.

Participants

Context & Goals

In a constantly changing environment during the pandemic, both in terms of personal and professional requirements, members of the Association formed this working group to provide clear and effective information to companies in the sector during this period of change.

Activity period

Actions & Achievements

Creation of four key guides on the following topics:

• Labor management aspects
• Risk analysis and implementation of Covid-19 measures
• Food safety
• Personal protective equipment (available only in Spanish).

Participants

Context & Goals

Develop a tool aimed at assessing the level of well-being/engagement of workers. By designing a bank of 30 questions directed at workers, it is possible to improve the work environment, identify future risks, or measure the assessment of various aspects within the company.

Activity period

Actions & Achievements

• Reach a consensus on a set of questions so that companies can choose the type of questionnaire to administer to their employees.
• Collaboration with &Wider for the implementation of this project.
• Collaboration with &Wider and favourable conditions for members of the Forums for the provision of this service.
• Terms and brochure for the survey service: HERE

Participants

Context & Goals

Develop a tool that enables employers to focus their efforts on providing decent accommodation for the personnel they hire. Compile guidelines and best practices that are realistic and useful for employers regarding how to manage accommodations for temporary workers.

Activity period

Actions & achievements

• Creation of the accommodation guide for temporary workers.
• Development of a checklist for accommodation and transportation of workers.

Participants

Context & Goals

Understand and manage diversity in the broadest sense within organizations in the agri-food sector, bringing together the challenges of producers and customers to promote better empathy and decision-making.

Activity period

Actions & Achievements

• Creation of the Diversity Manual: How to manage multicultural and multifunctional teams.
• Project in Huelva and workshops at the International forum in October 2019.

Participants

Context & Goals

Recognizing the need to protect fundamental rights, especially equality and dignity in the workplace, and due to the lack of clear guidelines on how to manage “workplace harassment” of any kind, there arises a need to create a protocol with the aim of serving as a guide for companies in the horticultural sector to ensure a safe working environment.

Activity period

Actions & Achievements

• Development of a protocol for the prevention and response to workplace harassment and annex. (available only in Spanish).
• Creation of a practical guide for equality plans (available only in Spanish).

Participants