Nico Roozen

Nico Roozen is a prominent Dutch economist and social entrepreneur, recognized for his extensive work in sustainable development and fair trade. He currently serves as an Ambassador at the ThreeFold Foundation, a role he has held since September 2019. The foundation focuses on creating a decentralized and democratized internet that is green, fast, and affordable.13

Professional Background

Roozen's career spans several decades, during which he has made significant contributions to the fair trade movement. He is often referred to as the "founding father" of the Solidaridad Network, an organization dedicated to promoting sustainable economic development. He transformed a small Dutch church-related organization into a leading civil society entity with a global reach.14 His leadership roles include:

• Honorary President of Solidaridad Network since May 2019.
• Executive Director from January 2012 to May 2019, where he oversaw the organization's evolution into a network of regional expertise centers.12
• Managing Director of Solidaridad Nederland for over 27 years, focusing on resource mobilization and consumer awareness campaigns.1

Contributions to Fair Trade

Roozen was instrumental in initiating the first fair trade labeling initiative, Max Havelaar, which set standards for fair trade coffee and bananas. He also co-founded several fair trade enterprises, including AgroFair and Kuyichi, and played a key role in developing CSR certification programs for various agricultural products.124 Under his guidance, Solidaridad became a leader in sustainable practices across supply chains.

Education and Honors

Roozen holds degrees in contemporary history from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and theology from Katholieke Theologische Hogeschool Utrecht. His contributions have been recognized with several honors, including being appointed an Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2007 by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands for his efforts in fair trade.146

Current Focus

At the ThreeFold Foundation, Roozen continues to advocate for sustainability and equitable economic practices, aligning with his lifelong mission to reduce poverty while protecting the environment.15