Better Cotton Initiative

Supplier Training Programme: Portuguese
2023-06-30 14:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London)
O Programa de Treinamento de Fornecedores (STP) foi projetado para ajudar os fabricantes e fornecedores inscritos na Better Cotton a compreenderem a nossa missão e objetivos, aprender sobre as Diretrizes da Cadeia de Custódia (Regras) da Better Cotton que se baseia no Balanço de massa e familiarizar-se com a Plataforma Better Cotton. Um foco mais técnico no negócio da organização.
Público: A Better Cotton convida fornecedores que compram algodão Better Cotton e que são novos na organização ou aqueles que estão simplesmente interessados em aprender sobre nós. Portanto, traders, fiações, fábricas de tecidos e fabricantes de produtos finais são os candidatos ideais para este encontro.
Assista a este pequeno vídeo para entender melhor nossa Cadeia de Custódia da Better Cotton antes de participar do webinar: https://vimeo.com/149434241 (Copie e cole no seu navegador)
Acesse o ambiente da reunião (Webex) pelo menos 15 minutos antes para instalar o software e ambientar-se com o sistema online da reunião.
Para perguntas sobre associação: Membership@bettercotton.org
Para dúvidas referente à plataforma Better Cotton: Helpdesk@bettercotton.org

Better Cotton Introduction for Retailers & Brands
2023-07-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-09-06 14:00 - 15:00
This webinar will provide an introduction to Better Cotton as an organisation, including overview of the Better Cotton Standard System, sourcing, communications, and membership details for Retailers & Brands.
Audience: For any Retailers and Brands who want to know more about Better Cotton and Membership options. Staff within existing Better Cotton Members are welcome to join for a refresher or introduction. This is the time to get answers to your questions from the Better Cotton Membership Team.

Better Cotton Claims Training for Marketing Teams
2023-07-11 15:00 - 16:15, 2023-09-19 15:00 - 16:15
This session is for existing members of Better Cotton, and will focus on training brands on how to be making credible Advanced and Product-level claims about Better Cotton.
We will cover:
– How to credibly communicate about Better Cotton across different channels
– What Better Cotton resources are available to you
– What makes a credible sustainability claim
– How to get in contact with us
– How to get your Better Cotton claims approved
We will not be covering more fundamental aspects of Better Cotton claim, such as mass balance (our Chain of Custody model), and claims eligibility. If you wish to attend a session that covers these topics, please sign up for the ‘Retailer and Brand Sourcing and Communications Training’ session.

Retailer and Brand Sourcing and Communications Training
2023-07-13 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-09-05 14:00 - 16:00
Better Cotton offers a monthly Sourcing and Communications training session. This is aimed at new Retailer and Brand Members, and also existing Retailer and Brand Members interested in refreshing their knowledge or training new team members.
The training will be relevant for anyone involved with sourcing as Better Cotton, such as your Buying, Sourcing and CSR teams. The second half of the training is particularly relevant for marketing teams. Please invite all relevant team members within your organisation.
This is a members-only group training held over the Cisco Webex platform. You will not be able to see or interact with other attendees on the call but there will be the opportunity to ask questions.
Agenda:
First hour

Introduction to Better Cotton
Better Cotton’s Mission and Aim
The Better Cotton Standard System
Mass Balance
Better Cotton’s 2030 Strategy

Implementing your Better Cotton Sourcing Programme
Setting up administration, sourcing targets and supplier engagement
BCP best practice

Second hour

10 minute break
Marketing and Communications guidelines in the Better Cotton Claims Framework
Q&A

2030 Strategy Webinar Series: Delivering Positive Environmental Impact in the Field (AM)
2023-07-18 08:00 - 09:00
Across a series of three webinars we will learn more about Better Cotton’s 2030 Strategy.
This second session will update on Better Cotton’s approach to environmental impact, including discussions on soil health and regenerative agricultural practices, pesticides reduction, and action-based climate mitigation and adaptation for cotton farming communities. We will also touch on water management and biodiversity.
*The webinar will take place in two sessions to accommodate different time zones. Please note that both sessions include the same content, so there is no need to attend both.

2030 Strategy Webinar Series: Delivering Positive Environmental Impact in the Field (PM)
2023-07-18 15:00 - 16:00
Across a series of three webinars, we will learn more about Better Cotton’s 2030 Strategy.
This second session will update on Better Cotton’s approach to environmental impact, including discussions on soil health and regenerative agricultural practices, pesticides reduction, and action-based climate mitigation and adaptation for cotton farming communities. We will also touch on water management and biodiversity.
*The webinar will take place in two sessions to accommodate different time zones. Please note that both sessions include the same content, so there is no need to attend both.

US Cotton Connections: Better Cotton & Quarterway Cotton Growers Field Trip
2023-07-20 - 2023-07-21 | Plainview, Texas
Join the Better Cotton US team, Quarterway Cotton Growers, ECOM, and Soil Health Institute in the cotton fields of Plainview, Texas, July 20-21, 2023. The goal of this field trip is to bring Better Cotton Members to meet with Quarterway Cotton Growers, develop meaningful connections and learn more about the US cotton supply chain.
This is a free event for Members only. Space is limited, so to register, please log into the Member’s Area of the website.
Lunch, dinner, and transportation from the hotel to Quarterway on July 20, as well as breakfast on July 21, will be provided. Attendees are responsible for their travel and accommodation in Lubbock.

2030 Strategy Webinar Series: Closing the Living Income Gap
2023-07-25 14:30 - 15:30
Better Cotton is committed to supporting farmers and workers to achieve living income and living wages. This will improve living standards as part of the sustainable livelihoods impact area of our 2030 Strategy. Join Better Cotton and IDH for this collaborative webinar that will unpack the challenges associated with achieving living income for smallholder farmers and living wages for farm workers.

You will learn about the difference between Living Income and Living Wage, and dive deeper into why this is so important for sustainable livelihoods. You will also learn why this is important for your business and how we can work together across the sector to drive change.

As a strategic partner for Better Cotton, IDH is an international organisation that convenes, co-creates, and co-finances inclusive and sustainable market-driven solutions that create value for people and planet. During this webinar we will share the IDH Living Income road map that provides a set of 5 steps to enable members to move systematically and close the gap between existing incomes and the Living Income benchmark.

Supplier Training Programme: Mandarin
2023-07-26 06:00 - 08:00, 2023-08-23 07:00 - 09:00, 2023-09-20 07:00 - 09:00
Better Cotton’s Supplier Training Programme (STP) is designed to help suppliers understand Better Cotton’s mission, learn about the Better Cotton Chain of Custody Guidelines which is based on mass-balance administration, and familiarise themselves with the Better Cotton Platform. These webinars have a more technical focus on the business of Better Cotton.
Audience: Suppliers sourcing Better Cotton who are new to the organisation, or are simply interested to learn about Better Cotton, are welcome to join us for our STPs. Spinning mills, fabric mills, and end-product manufacturers are ideal candidates for this webinar.
Please register to join a webinar at a date convenient to you and your interested colleagues.
—
致良好棉花会员及非会员供应商，您们好！
为了更合规地、顺利地操作良好棉花订单，中国良好棉花供应链服务商将提供免费在线培训，系统性讲解订单操作相关的核心内容，包括BCP操作、BCCUs计算、良好棉花供应链监管原则等。
请公司BCP操作人员以及供应链监管原则合规性负责人等务必注册参加，培训通过Cisco Webex软件线上进行。有效培训时长1个半小时，有效培训结束后，会安排问答互动环节，欢迎您积极提问。
注册、登录若有问题，请提前致电+86-4008861251-3咨询。

Introduction to Better Cotton for Suppliers and Manufacturers
2023-07-31 11:30 - 12:30, 2023-08-28 11:30 - 12:30, 2023-09-25 11:30 - 12:30
This series of public webinars aim to provide you with an introduction to Better Cotton, Better Cotton Membership offer and Better Cotton Platform supplier registration while simultaneously addressing your related queries.
Audience: Spinners, Cotton traders, fabric mills, garment manufacturers and other supply chain intermediaries who are interested in becoming Better Cotton Members or BCP Suppliers.

Better Cotton Claims Update
2023-08-02 14:30 - 15:45
To learn more about our current work on claims and contribute to the conversation, register here for this Retailer and Brand Member webinar in which we will cover:

The new myBetterCotton platform and the online claims approval process
Annual update to the Better Cotton Claims Framework (V3.1)
Claims monitoring and compliance
Retailer and Brand Members’ feedback

Women in Cotton: Chats for Change with Dr Salma Raheem
2023-08-10 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
Women in Cotton’s next Chats for Change event will be delivered by Dr Salma Raheem, University of Liverpool, UK and Lecturer/Assistant Professor in OB & HR.
In the Western part of the world, there has been an extraordinary amount of focus, both in popular media, and in management literature, on the value of diversity and the need for more inclusive approaches to the management of people. But how does one create inclusive spaces and why should we care? This interactive session aims to provide evidence-based approaches to what works, why, and to examine if it is all worth it.
Held on Thursday 10 August via Zoom at 15:00 (BST), this event is open to everyone in the cotton and textile industry, regardless of gender.

Supplier Training Programme: Portuguese
2023-08-11 14:00 - 15:30, 2023-10-06 14:00 - 15:30
Este treinamento será realizado especificamente para todos os assuntos relacionados à plataforma Better Cotton.
Público: A Better Cotton convida fornecedores que compram algodão BC e que são novos ou aqueles que estão simplesmente interessados em aprender mais sobre a Better Cotton. Portanto, traders, fiações, fábricas de tecidos e fabricantes de produtos finais são os candidatos ideais para este encontro.
Assista a este pequeno vídeo para entender melhor a Cadeia de Custódia da Better Cotton antes de participar do webinar: https://bettercottoninitiative.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/BCSupportMaterials-Externals/Ee1MFPkH309AuN7BkiAW1w8BxFLkMx9eJhq0zKP1cHmv8Q
Acesse o ambiente da reunião (Webex) pelo menos 15 minutos antes para instalar o software e ambientar-se com o sistema online da reunião.
Para perguntas sobre associação: Membership@bettercotton.org
Para dúvidas referente à plataforma Better Cotton: Helpdesk@bettercotton.org

Supplier Training Programme: English
2023-08-15 07:00 - 08:30
Better Cotton’s Supplier Training Programme (STP) is designed to help suppliers understand our mission, learn about the Better Cotton Chain of Custody Guidelines which is based on mass-balance administration, and familiarise themselves with the Better Cotton Platform. A more technical focus on the business of Better Cotton.
Audience: Suppliers sourcing Better Cotton and who are new to Better Cotton or those who are simply interested to learn about BCI to these webinars. Therefore, spinning mills, fabric mills, and end-product manufacturers are ideal candidates for this webinar.
Please make sure to watch this short video to better understand our Better Cotton Chain of Custody before joining the webinar: https://vimeo.com/485425902/6789f5670d

Re-defining ‘Better’: The Principles and Criteria v3.0 (Session 1)
2023-09-12 08:00 - 09:00
This webinar will provide an overview of the changes in Better Cotton’s farm-level standard, the Principles and Criteria (P&C).
The P&C v3.0 includes – among other things – a stronger focus on social impact, on the sustainable use of natural resources and on responsible crop protection measures. The new standard will become effective for licensing starting in the 2024/25 cotton season and will apply to all Better Cotton farmers worldwide.

Supplier Training Programme: Turkish
2023-09-12 08:00 - 10:00, 2023-10-11 08:00 - 10:00
Better Cotton’s Supplier Training Programme (STP) is designed to help suppliers understand Better Cotton’s mission, learn about the Better Cotton Chain of Custody Guidelines which is based on mass-balance administration, and familiarise themselves with the Better Cotton Platform. These webinars have a more technical focus on the business of Better Cotton.
Audience: Suppliers sourcing Better Cotton who are new to the organisation, or are simply interested to learn about Better Cotton, are welcome to join us for our STPs. Spinning mills, fabric mills, and end-product manufacturers are ideal candidates for this webinar.

Re-defining ‘Better’: The Principles and Criteria v3.0 (Session 2)
2023-09-13 14:00 - 15:00

Supplier Training Programme - Portuguese
2023-09-15 14:00 - 15:30

Cotton Consumption and Independent Assessment Training for Retailers and Brands
2023-09-27 14:30 - 15:30
Retailer and Brand Members are required to recalculate their total cotton fibre consumption measurement each year as part of their Better Cotton Membership. The annual deadline is 15 January.
This training will guide Retailer & Brand Members through:

How to calculate your total cotton fibre consumption measurement in line with the Better Cotton methodology
How to set your Better Cotton sourcing targets for next year
An explanation of the Independent Assessment requirements, which apply to this year’s 2023 cotton consumption submission

We strongly recommend that you read thoroughly the guidance documents available in the Measuring Cotton Consumption page of the Better Cotton website in advance of the webinar. The documents explain in full how to calculate your cotton fibre consumption measurement and provide full details of the Independent Assessment requirements.

Better Cotton Stakeholder Event and Field Trip in Cairo, Egypt
2023-10-03 - 2023-10-04
This field trip is targeted towards Retailers and Brands and their key suppliers wishing to source Egyptian Better Cotton.
Join a dynamic discussion forum in Cairo where you can meet with other Retailer & Brand Members, Supplier & Manufacturer Members and key stakeholders including producers, government officials and donors.

Invite your key suppliers (spinners and vertical mills) to the event. You will have the opportunity to discuss what has hindered your sourcing of Egyptian Better Cotton to date.
Learn all about the auction houses and how cotton trading works in Egypt.

Visit a farm and meet with Egyptian Cotton farmers committed to implementing the Better Cotton Standard System
Foster stronger stakeholder relationships in Egypt
Meet potential donors for the Better Cotton Programme in Egypt, who are always happy to see private sector involvement.

Participants are responsible for their air travel and accommodation in Cairo and local transfers from the airport to the hotel on arrival and departure. Lunch, dinner, and local transportation for the activity days are sponsored so will be covered. Spaces for this event are limited so please register interest by 25 August to secure your participation.
Tuesday 3 October 2023 Location: Damietta
Farm Visit to Better Cotton Farms
We will carry out a guided visit where you will have the opportunity to learn how the Better Cotton Standard System is implemented and meet with Egyptian BC farmers. You can ask your questions and learn about our work.
Wednesday 4 October 2023 – Location: Cairo
Stakeholders and Networking Event
You will have the opportunity to engage with Egyptian Cotton industry leaders and stakeholders and learn more about the cotton sector in Egypt and the Better Cotton Programme in Egypt.
A detailed agenda and event pack will be shared closer to the event.
Thank you to the following Better Cotton Member event sponsors:

Better Cotton’s Strategic Partner, Cotton Egypt Association
Programme Partners and Traders, ALKAN Mohamed Nosseir and Modern Nile Cotton Co.
El Ekhlas
Spinalex
Almatex

Türkiye Field Trip, sponsored by Calik Cotton, Calik Denim and Gap Pazarlama
2023-10-04 - 2023-10-06 | Turkey
Join us for a fantastic journey into the world of cotton production in Türkiye.
On October 4-6, 2023, join us for a field trip to the Turkish provinces of Şanlıurfa and Malatya, sponsored by Calik Cotton, Calik Denim and Gap Pazarlama. The trip will give you the opportunity to explore cotton production, ginning & supply chain activities, and the implementation of the Better Cotton Standard in Turkiye.
This event is free for Members, with lunch, dinner, and local transportation provided. Attendees are responsible for their travel and accommodation in Sanlıurfa and Malatya.
Spaces are limited, so register now to secure your participation now. To read about a similar trip we organised to Şanlıurfa with Retail and Brand Members in 2022, click here.

Agenda
Wednesday 4 October, 2023 / Şanlıurfa

Farmer visits (x2)
Lunch
Akkucak ginner visit
19:00 – Dinner

Thursday 5 October, 2023 / Sanliurfa

12:00 – Meet at lobby
13:00-16:30 – Transport to World Cotton Day celebrations
Venue: RTS Tarım – Ulubağ, Mardin Yolu 6.Km Merkez/Şanlıurfa

13:00–13:40 Opening Speeches

Mr. Mehmet Fatih Kacır, T.R. Minister of Industry and Technology (TBC)
Mr. Hasan Şıldak, T.R. Governor of Şanlıurfa (TBC)
Mr. Hasan Maral, GAP RDA President
Mr. Louisa Vinton, UNDP Türkiye Resident Representative

13:40-13:50 Integrated Resource Efficiency Short Film Screening

Good Cotton Project Short Film Screening

13:50-14:50 Panel 1

Developments regarding Cotton in Turkey and the GAP Region
Mr. Başak Egesel, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Head of Good
Agricultural Practices and Organic Agriculture Department (TBC)
Mr. Fuat Tanman, İPUD, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Mr. İhsan Ateş, Defacto CEO (TBC)
Mr. Prof. Gökhan Özertan, Member & Lecturer Boğaziçi University Department of Economics

14:50-15:00 Coffee Break
15:00-16:00 Panel 2

Sharing Experience on Good Cotton Practices
GAP-UNDP Project Agricultural Engineers ( 2 )
Good Cotton Project Farmers ( 2 )
Good Cotton Project Ginning Enterprises ( 1 )

16:00-16:30 Cocktail – Harvest Experience – Closing
19.00 Dinner- Traditional Sıra Night (TBC)
Friday 6 October, 2023 / Malatya

Traveling from Şanlıurfa to Malatya (4.5 hours)
Calik Denim Factory Visit
Transport to Malatya airport

Key information
Please note, this event is for Better Cotton Retailer and Brand Members only. Maximum attendance of 2 persons per companies allowed.
Attendees must arrange their own flights to Sanliurfa GAP Airport for arrival and from Malatya Airport (MLX) for departure.
Attendees must arrive at Sanliurfa a day before the trip. All lodging reservations are the responsibility of the participant, including any necessary cancellations.
We recommend the entire team stay at the Double Tree by Hilton. If you would like to stay in discounted rooms, please let us know and we will share the reservation link for you to pay & reserve.
