About us

The Good Cashmere Standard^® is an initiative of the Aid by Trade Foundation. It was founded in 2019 with the aim of creating, promoting and implementing a benchmark standard for sustainable cashmere.

„Since I founded the Aid by Trade Foundation, I have been particularly interested in setting up future-oriented solutions that transform the fashion industry. The Good Cashmere Standard sets a benchmark on how to conserve nature, protect animals, support farmers, and help retailers and brands minimise the impact of textiles on the world.”
Prof. Dr. Michael Otto – Founder of the Aid by Trade Foundation

Our Story

The Good Cashmere Standard stands for sustainably certified cashmere from farms where goats are treated responsibly, where the environment is protected, and the social, ecological, and economic living conditions of cashmere farmers and their families are respected. Following AbTF’s approach to activate market forces instead of collecting donations, brands and retailers pay a licence fee to get permission to source sustainable cashmere that is certified under The Good Cashmere Standard and to label their products accordingly. Income from licence fees is then reinvested to foster the impact of The Good Cashmere Standard, pay for verification of the sustainably produced cashmere and benefit goats, farmers and the environment equally.

Our Founder

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), the umbrella organization of The Good Cashmere Standard, was founded in 2005 by Prof. Dr. Michael Otto, an entrepreneur from Hamburg, Germany, whose pioneering philanthropic work is characterised by his desire to help others help themselves. The AbTF leverages trade to help people by creating sustainable value chains.

Furthermore the first to join forces with AbTF were the German Federal Ministry of Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Investment Corporation (DEG), and GIZ (then known as Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit) as well as the Otto Group. The Foundation cooperates with a range of partners from the textile sector to governmental and non-governmental bodies with the aim of overcoming poverty and protecting the environment.

Board of Trustees

The AbTF Board of Trustees is made up of leading personalities from international non-governmental organisations, the public sector, and business. It ensures that the main objectives of the Foundation are implemented. The Board of Trustees is comprised of a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 members.

It is chaired by Prof. Dr. Michael Otto and his deputy Dr. Wolfgang Jamann (International Civil Society Centre). The first members of the committee were appointed by AbTF founder Prof. Dr. Michael Otto. New members are elected by the current Board of Trustees for a term of two years. Members may be re-elected for additional terms. The Foundation’s Senior Management Team reports to the Board of Trustees twice a year with regard to its activities, future plans and the overall strategy.

Please find here an overview of the Board of Trustees.

Our Managing Director

Tina Stridde was appointed by the AbTF Board of Trustees in 2015. As Managing Director, she is responsible for both the operational and strategic leadership of the Aid by Trade Foundation as well as the achievement of its objectives, which are defined by the Foundation’s statutes, and resolutions made by the Board of Trustees.

The Advisory Board

The Advisory Board is staffed with internationally renowned representatives of various interest groups that bring different perspectives and experience. Their different areas of expertise make the Advisory Board a key discussion partner and advisor to the management.
Please find here an overview of the Advisory Board.

The Team

The team is agile, dedicated, and well connected: With their diverse expertise, the employees of the Aid by Trade Foundation form a well-rounded team of professionals. Their knowledge, commitment, flexibility, and willingness to engage in dialogue.
Please find here an overview of the team.