What exactly is Fair Week?
Over 2,000 actions nationwide, thousands of passionate people, and one shared goal: creating a fairer world. That's Fair Week 2025. For the 24th time, Germany's largest fair trade action week brings together people who want to prove that fairness and sustainability aren't just idealistic dreams, but can become lived reality.
This year's motto "Fair Trade – Experience Diversity" couldn't be more fitting. Because diversity doesn't just make our lives colorful and interesting, it makes our very survival possible. Whether it's biological diversity, social diversity, or a broad network of stakeholders: all of this enables us to live in different environments, do business, and tackle challenges together.
The Three Dimensions of Diversity
Biological Diversity: Sustainability as a Design Principle
At Sonnenglas, we understand biological diversity as a fundamental principle of everything we do. Our solar-powered products harness the inexhaustible power of the sun and replace dangerous kerosene lamps that are not only harmful to health but also frequently cause fires. We think sustainability into every design step from the very beginning: our production facility in Johannesburg runs on solar energy. Thanks to 105 photovoltaic modules on our roof, we generate 40 kW of clean energy.
But our modular design principle goes even further: instead of creating disposable products, we've developed a system where every component is replaceable. Our Sun Jars consist of five separate parts that can be individually replaced when needed. The SOMO solar light can be flexibly used across all our products: from Sun Jars to Light Carafes and Adventure Mounts. This way, we not only reduce waste but promote conscious consumption that protects natural resources. We're also careful about material selection. Our fair trade solder comes from guaranteed sustainable supply chains or is sourced from high-purity secondary raw materials, while our glass is made from 100% recycled material.
The Diversity of People: Equality as Lived Reality
Behind every fairly traded product are people with their stories, experiences, and challenges. Fair trade promotes their development, supports innovative approaches, and strengthens dialogue.
In our Johannesburg factory, we live this diversity every day: 75% of our 50+ employees are women, including all five department heads. For us, equality isn't just talk, it's lived reality. There's no gender pay gap; everyone receives equal pay for equal work. 90% of our team comes from structurally disadvantaged backgrounds near Lorentzville, a Johannesburg district with 62% youth unemployment, where our factory is also located.
But our employees don't just receive significantly more than the local minimum wage – they also get education grants, microloans for personal projects, subsidized health insurance, and flexible return options after maternity leave. Many of our team members had no formal training; with us, everyone gets the chance to learn and grow. This investment in people also shows in our creative collaborations. Artists like Maxwell, the bead artist behind our colorful Beadwork Edition, bring traditional South African craftsmanship into our special editions, giving them a modern stage for their talents.
The Diversity of Engagement: Bringing Light to the World
Fair trade thrives on the commitment of many stakeholders – producers, traders, and consumers. Everyone contributes to advancing the idea of a more just and sustainable world.
Our engagement spans the full spectrum, from direct donations to structural change. Through the Madiba Challenge, for example, we donated 120 sun jars to young people in Langa Township in Cape Town so they can do their homework even after dark. 40 SOMO solar modules support the school project by Santatra e.V. in Madagascar, where families in remote areas live without electricity. In Eritrea, 50 of our lanterns illuminate the pediatric intensive care unit – their warm light is gentler for children than harsh hospital neon lighting. Our limited editions, like the Lilac Edition, raised over €10,000 for "Timbuktu in the Valley," a children's charity right in our Victoria Yards complex in Johannesburg. The Rainbow Animal Edition brought together another €10,000 for flood relief in Ahrweiler.
But our "Trade instead of Aid" approach goes beyond that. Instead of just donating, we create sustainable jobs and strengthen local economic cycles. In Germany, we work with Stiftung Mensch, which handles our shipping while creating valuable jobs for people with disabilities. As a member of the Social Entrepreneur Network Germany (SEND e.V.), we network with other pioneers and collectively advance innovative business practices.
Making the World a Little Brighter Together
Fair Week shows us year after year that change begins with small steps, with every fair purchase, every conscious decision, every shared moment. At Sonnenglas, we believe that every light tells a story and every purchase sets a sign for a fairer future.
While Fair Week is celebrated nationwide, we're launching our very own Fair Action Week on Instagram. Over two weeks, we'll take you on a journey through our world of fairness: from the people behind every Sonnenglas to the sustainability of our products and the social projects you support with every purchase. Best of all, as a thank you for your support, exclusive discounts await you on our Instagram channel.
So join us as we shine the spotlight on fairness, diversity, and sustainability over the next two weeks! Follow our Instagram journey, take advantage of the exclusive discount, and let's show together that fairness isn't just a nice word – it's a way of life.
Find more info about Fair Week events at faire-woche.de
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