The fifth impact level concerns thecommunity. Local participation in certification schemes is sometimes biased toward
better-off farmers, and hired workers depending on wage payments do not always equally benefit. An important side-effect
from certification that is frequently registered refers to spatial
externalities accruing to neighboring farmers. Such spillovers
are found byRuben and Fort (2012)as a consequence of
knowledge exchange networks at community level that lead
to rapid diffusion of improved cultivation practices, but also
occur due to the fact that the Fairtrade premium is usually
invested for collective goods at village level (road improvement, schools and health care facilities, water and sanitation
facilities) that equally benefit non-certified producers. Similar
effects—albeit with more unequal village-level distribution—
are registered by Arnouldet al. (2009) with reference to
schooling and health outcomes.