Businesses and entrepreneurs play a crucial role in addressing the global crisis of fighting modern slavery. At Not For Sale, innovative solutions, sustainable practices, and unwavering commitment continue to make a real difference.

In this article, Mark Wexler, co-founder of Not For Sale, shares highlights from 2024 and the bold steps taken to tackle the root causes of exploitation in 2025. From protecting the planet to empowering vulnerable communities, our work is more vital than ever.

Read on to discover how you can be part of this transformative movement to fight modern slavery.

Not For Sale’s work in fighting modern slavery in 2024

“In 2024 we focussed on three main areas,” Mark explains. “Of course, we worked directly with survivors of human trafficking and people who are in extreme vulnerability to human trafficking.

“Another area we work in is on the environmental side of things. The reason for that is that environmental damage is one of the leading causes of vulnerability. If we don’t also work to address this, then we won’t be addressing the root causes of that vulnerability.

“The link between those two areas is our third focus – social enterprise. It’s our unique selling point at Not For Sale, as we’re entrepreneurs who are constantly trying to figure out solutions that create healthy economic futures for the people that we work with.”

Didier Drogba inspiring students in Uganda

“We’re working with people from around the world. A highlight from this past year is being in Kyangwali refugee camp in Uganda,” Mark recounts. “We were at a school that we’re supporting with over 1500 kids.

“There were 600 of the students packed into a room. We’ve been lucky enough over the past year to develop a very nice relationship with Didier Drogba, former Chelsea star and Ivory Coast international football (soccer) player. We were able to stream Didier in on a screen and the room erupted!”

Sometimes it doesn’t take a lot to make a big difference in people’s lives. Through the simple act of kindness by a world-renowned sports athlete, a cohort of students have memories and inspiration to last a lifetime.

“When I see you and when I listen to all your stories, it brings me back to my childhood. I was in the Ivory Coast and I was dreaming of better conditions and a better life,” said Drogba to the room full of children and school staff.

“You know what? What really helped me to become the person I am today. Being able to speak in front of you, it’s because I never stopped dreaming. I never stopped believing. Never.

“You have to believe in your dreams. You have to believe in what you want to become.”

Positive supply chains for people and planet

“Looking forward to 2025, I’m really excited about a partnership that will continue to grow with M2i,” Mark continues. “It’s a publicly-traded company that has chosen to collaborate with Not For Sale. Together, we’re helping to build a strategic mineral reserve in partnership with the US government. It’s also looking to do the same in Europe.

“What’s really important about this is that it’s a transformative moment where we have the opportunity to instil positive supply chain practices. As more leverages are exerted by the US government, European governments, and the EU, we’re able to exert pressure back to supply chains to ensure that there are positive practices around people and the planet.

“M2i is an exciting partnership for Not For Sale, and you’ll be seeing a lot more news throughout 2025.”

Saving the environment = fighting modern slavery

Protecting the environment helps protect the people living in regions affected by climate change and natural disasters. When nature strikes, communities left picking up the pieces are preyed upon in their vulnerable state. Environmental damage prevention is directly linked to fighting modern slavery.

Not For Sale not only works to help those affected by modern slavery and human trafficking, but is active in preventing the root cause of opportunity for criminals to exploit individuals in the first place.

“Another area that I have extreme pride in is our continued work in the Peruvian Amazon,” says Mark. “Our climate projects are in full swing. We helped seed fund an indigenous-run co-op named AFIMAD [The Indigenous Forestry Association of Madre de Dios], decades ago now.

“In partnership with Not For Sale and other NGOs around the world, AFIMAD continues to help conserve 753 square-miles of Amazon rainforest. This work in ongoing, and your support continues to help protect an environmental space that is larger than Los Angeles and Chicago put together, and bigger than London.”

Raise a glass to a REBBL with a cause

Mark details how it’s not just the Not For Sale community that’s recognizing hard work going into backing these good causes. Awarding bodies are now paying attention, too.

“We’re really passionate about the ongoing growth of our first social enterprise – plant-based drinks company, REBBL. The products are available in every Target store throughout the United States, and the company recently won an innovation award.

“Not only is it healthy for you but it’s also healthy for the planet. We source ingredients from indigenous communities all around the world; you know that you can be proud with every purchase, as you’re helping your body, helping the planet, and helping fund Not For Sale.

Recycling is more than just about paper and plastic

“Another incredible social enterprise that Not For Sale is helping to incubate, through our co-founder David Batstone, is Regenerate Technology,” says Mark. “Regenerate is a battery recycling company currently focussed on the European market where there’s a strong demand for recycled materials to go back into the supply chain and create a circular economy.

“The company is poised for a major take-off after securing funding to help with some mergers and acquisitions – much more to come on that! We’ll be really excited to share those updates as they come through in this coming year.”

Will you help the vulnerable in 2025?

“For our projects in 2025, working directly with people… It’s been a tough few years for NGOs working in the human trafficking space. There’s been a decline in funding overall for these types of projects, and the space itself has seen ongoing self-assessment in terms of what we are and how we’re attempting to move forward.

“We’re always trying to innovate and be better at what we do. I think this year is going to really be about figuring out what is the future for the anti-human trafficking space throughout and after 2025.”

It can all start with you making the first step to fighting modern slavery in 2025 and beyond.

• Find out how you can help end modern slavery in 2025.