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.
Street Vendors Confront the Authoritarian Wave in the Americas
So far in 2026, Latin America finds itself at an unprecedented institutional crossroads. What began in several countries as a promise of “economic freedom” or an “end to corruption” has turned into a regional pattern of power concentration with a common, deliberate target: public space. For the millions of informal economy workers that StreetNet International […]
Women in the Market, Invisible Children
In the markets of Ouagadougou, women are the faces of resilience. They rise before dawn, set up their stalls, negotiate with customers, and remain until nightfall. They sell grilled corn, vegetables, second-hand clothing, fruits, and condiments. They ensure the survival of their families. But behind this energy lies a silent reality: their children are growing […]
From markets to platforms: defending every workers’ rights at the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference
From 1-12 June 2026, StreetNet once again participated at the International Labour Conference, the global tripartite forum where governments, employers and workers come together to discuss and agree on international labour standards. Our delegation was composed by President Lorraine Ndhlovu, Vice-President Alberto Santana, Secretary Jamaladdin Ismalyilov and International Council members Anthony Kwache and Martha García […]
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).
When fire burns away our efforts: A look at the pain of the markets in Guatemala and Honduras
It has been about a month since the end-of-year celebrations ended, but market vendors celebrated in a different way. While most people were putting away their Christmas decorations and preparing for the expenses of the new year, hundreds of merchants in the municipality of Mixco, Guatemala, at the Corolingia Market, and in neighboring cities in […]
