Background of the establishment of House of Authentic Sense Co-op. The House of Authentic Sense (HAS) Foundation established HAS Consumer Co-operative on February 21, 2015. The goal of the Co-op is to be a social entrepreneurial unit that enlists Indonesian villagers’ creativity for justice and peace. Co-op runs monthly routine activities including systematic, informal education to encourage broader participation of citizens in advocating for their economic, socio-cultural and political rights. HAS Co-op is a fair trade, economic institution that helps members develop green businesses committed to environmental conservation in the context of rural communities starting in Java and spreading to Indonesian Papua, Sulawesi and Aceh. HAS Co-op aims for excellence in 3 fields: 1. fair trade, 2. micro-savings and loan and 3. empowerment and entrepreneurial training. The fair trade unit, has its own brand for all products called “HAS Semar for Yogyakarta”. Our superior products include processed foods such as Ki Suko’s Tea, Sister Mar’s Coffee Mocha, and Mariyu’s Eggroll. HAS Co-op handicrafts included hand painted batik patterns on wooden (teak) coffee mugs, teacups and egg cups. Textiles include Mother Wahadah’s hand-made Batik and Mother Winarsih “Jumputan” fabrics (tie-dye). HAS co-op also sells chocolate with various flavors such as chilly, orange, coffee and green tea chocolate, as well as 80% dark chocolate bars and granola nuts from Wondis. Wondis is the trademark of a new member of our Co-op. Coffee and tea flavored chocolate bars are processed using Sister Mar’s Mocha Chocolate and Ki Suko’s green tea. Other new members include a group of disabled teenagers who produce beautiful hand-made batik tote-bags, pillowcases, table runners, scarfs, clothes, and cosmetic bags. All products are of high quality for domestic and overseas sales. HAS Co-op aspired to be internationally known as a co-op that adheres to the global principles of sustainability and fair trade. In accordance with these principles, HAS co-op: 1. Is governed by its members. Membership is voluntary and open, both to individuals and to groups, without discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, sex or race. 2. Trains members in the skills necessary to manage their businesses and ensure product quality control. For example, the Co-op encourages members who are small or medium enterprises (SMEs) with processed food products to take care of health permits to ensure that the food products are ready, safe and fit for circulation in the market. The health license has to be registered by the health Office which has to apply fairly strict procedures both in terms of compositional component, product labels and packaging. 3. Products are packaged with environmentally friendly materials to replace plastics. Members are encouraged to recycle, and the co-op runs a recycling store where members can exchange recyclable trash for basic food supplies. At the annual members meeting (Indonesia: Rapat Anggota Tahunan), members receive a bonus of up to 2.5% of the total value of the food supplies they have received by trading in their recycled trash. 4. Members may add a “peace label” to their products in addition to the “fair trade” certification to indicate that Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths cooperate with each other in creating their products and struggling together for economic justice and peace. Although HAS co-op began operations in 2015, it became a legal, government recognized entity in 2017. Currently, HAS co-op members been spread across the provinces of Yogyakarta, Aceh, Poso and Papua. HAS Co-op is located at Dumung Street, Number 100, Karanggayam CT VIII, Caturtunggal, Depok District, Sleman Regency, DI. Yogyakarta. Vision: “House of Authentic Sense Co-op envisions an international community with participants from different religious, ethnic, sex, age, economic, social status and national categories, who cooperate economically for the common good. Indonesian members, through cooperation and training are able to weather economic crises, such as the pandemic. Even the most vulnerable members will be able sustain a livable income through inter-religious cooperation and international fair trade. Members of HAS Co-op use their creativity to innovate and adjust to rapid social, political and economic change. Members are empowered to appreciate diversity, preserve their rich cultures and protect the earth from ecological disaster. Mission: “HAS Co-op will train its members to: produce culture-based businesses using local wisdom. improve the quality of their products for domestic and international markets. facilitate the processing of permits such as business permits, health permits and trade permits. transition from the informal sector to legally registered businesses that qualify for government protection and support. maintain fair trade certification for HAS co-op members. obtain organic certification where appropriate. add certification as a “product for peace” in recognition of cooperation across religious, ethnic and other traditional boundaries. Reach new markets for their goods, including selling through church and fair trade organizations in the USA.