Partnerships
We engage with strategic stakeholders to address issues that matter to supply chain workers. By the end of fiscal year 2021, our collaborative projects related to worker well-being impacted the lives of more than 3.7 million people. We believe collaboration leads to greater impact, especially when it comes to achieving our 2025 goals and beyond. This is why we focus on building meaningful partnerships with industry stakeholders, nonprofit organizations and other brands.
Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA)
We became a member of this UN-based alliance in 2022 to support our commitment that all tier 1 owned brand suppliers pay workers digitally by 2025, following responsible practices.
BSR
Target supports BSR’s HERproject to empower female supply chain workers through workplace-based health, financial inclusion and gender equality interventions.
CARE
Target continues to partner with CARE International, designing strategies to drive gender equity throughout our sourcing practices and extended supply chain. Target is currently working with CARE and key suppliers to design and implement bundled in-factory interventions to address multiple barriers to gender equity through a harmonized approach. In addition, during COVID-19, CARE pivoted to deliver emergency response activities to benefit more than 25,000 people in these areas, with support that included cash assistance and cash-for-work opportunities, distribution of hygiene kits and PPE, roving medical centers providing essential medical services and establishing safe spaces for women to access information and support services during the pandemic.
International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
Through our partnership with the advisory arm of ICRW, ICRW Advisors, Target conducted a baseline assessment of its supply chain using its Gender Equity Self-Diagnostic Tool. This industry-aligned resource helps factories assess their gender equity policies and processes and generates a customized scorecard on existing gender integration policies and practices to encourage continuous improvement.
Nest
In 2016, Target began a partnership with nonprofit Nest to serve the fashion and home industry’s global workforce who craft products in their homes or outside the traditional four-walled factory. Together, we developed industry-aligned standards — the Nest Standards for Homes and Small Workshops — which protect homeworkers’ safety, well-being and prosperity while giving brands visibility to the artisans in their supply chains. To date, Nest’s programs have reached more than 1,600 artisan businesses around the globe.
We also teamed up with Nest to create clearer indicators for consumers that their products are ethically handcrafted. In 2018, the Nest Seal made its retail debut thanks to the Nest Ethical Handcraft Program and is now located on select items at Target — including handwoven baskets — and we look forward to seeing it on more products in coming years. To earn the Nest Seal, the handcraft business producing the products must meet a set of rigorous compliance standards.
GoodWeave
In 2015, Target first began working with nonprofit GoodWeave to combat underage labor in the handwoven rug industry in India. GoodWeave-certified rugs are woven by adult artisans and helps support the education of thousands of at-risk children that might otherwise need to work. Target requires all handwoven rugs produced in India to be GoodWeave certified.
Fair Trade USA
To ensure products are made with respect to both people and the planet, Fair Trade has created strict standards that promote safe, healthy working conditions, protect the environment, and benefit farmers and factory workers through additional funds and community development. Look for the Fair Trade USA cotton, factory or certification logo across products.