This report is a baseline assessment of the first two Fairtrade/Fairmined (FT/FM) certified gold producer organizations worldwide: COCOMACOIRO in Colombia and Cotapata cooperative in Bolivia. The study coincided with the first certifications and introductions of FT/FM gold on the European market. The report provides baseline information; identifies a set of benchmark indicators for the monitoring and evaluation of these projects; reveals challenges to the FT/FM initiative, and suggests strategies to approach these challenges and optimize future impacts. The new certification system for gold was developed by a partnership between Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM). Its aim is to promote social, environmental and economic development in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASM) communities. The present study was commissioned by the named organizations in collaboration with Solidaridad, and executed by the consulting firm Projekt-Consult GmbH. The study will help the partnership better understand living and working conditions of certified ASM miners at the time of being certified, as well as expected impacts of certification.