Street vendors feed cities in times of war
Street and market vendors are usually at the forefront of conflict zones, both essential lifelines for the supply of goods and the most vulnerable targets. Open-air markets have historically been targets for bombing – they are infrastructures of civilian life, meeting points, fundamental hotspots for the life of a city.
Empowering the Informal Economy: Khathang Tema–LEFITA’s path to structured policy dialogue
For street vendors and cross-border traders, negotiation skills are the ultimate tool for survival and growth. Without formal contracts or legal safety nets, workers rely heavily on collective bargaining to secure trading spaces, fight unfair eviction and navigate complex cross-border trade policies. by Uthman Kaisi In March 2026, Streetnet International conducted a Negotiation Skills Follow-up […]
In Togo, workers are choosing social and solidarity economy
FAINATRASIT is undergoing training in the social and solidarity economy to empower informal economy workers reaching financial autonomy In a context where workers in the informal sector struggle to access formal financial services, a training session on the social and solidarity economy (SSE) brought together thirty delegates from the Federation of National Associations and Initiatives […]
Guatemala is leading the launch of a pilot project on the social and solidarity economy in Latin America
by Daniel Peralta In a decisive step toward strengthening the informal economy sector in the region, the first meeting of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) workshop was held. This meeting, organized by FENTRAVIG (Federation of Independent Street Vendors of Guatemala) in collaboration with StreetNet International and Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing, marks […]
Youth in Action: Four Days of Learning, Self-Expression, and Action in Benin
“Young people are not just the future of the informal economy; they are its present. It is essential that we organize ourselves, learn from one another, and play an active role in building inclusive and strong unions.”
Historic Meeting with the IACHR Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights: The Voices of Street Vendors Reach REDESCA
In a crucial step toward recognizing the rights of informal economy workers in Latin America, a high-level dialogue session was held last Wednesday evening with Javier Palummo, Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
Rasulpur Street Vendor Community in Bangladesh celebrates street vendors’ day
Street Vendors’ Day was celebrated with great unity and pride by the Rasulpur Street Vendor Community at the local market.
Building workers’ power through participatory research
Data analysis is not only a technical exercise but a tool to build collective power for workers in the informal economy.
Informal economy workers in Africa on the front line of climate change
In recent years, the impacts of climate change are no longer just predictions: they are now part of everyday life for millions of informal economy workers in Africa by Dorcas Rachetée Ishimwe From floods in Burundi to prolonged droughts in the Democratic Republic of Congo to violent winds and power cuts in Burkina Faso, StreetNet […]
When Survival Meets Barriers: Cecilia’s Struggle for Decent Work
As the world marks World Decent Work Day, many workers across the globe reflect on their struggles and hopes for fair, secure, and dignified employment. by Nancy Likiripa In Zimbabwe, countless women in the informal sector continue to face barriers that threaten their livelihoods and their families’ survival. Among them is Cecilia Zimbande, a determined […]
