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ABOUT THE FAIRTRADE TOWNS INITIATIVE

The Fairtrade Towns Initiative aims to bring together people from all sectors of the community to promote Fairtrade and the FAIRTRADE Mark.

It was initiated by a group of supporters who declared Garstang in Lancashire the first Fairtrade Town in 2000. The campaign caught the imagination of local campaigners, politicians and businesses. It secured media coverage across North West England and ensured that many more people could recognise the FAIRTRADE Mark and understand its purpose.

There are Five Goals that towns must meet to be awarded Fairtrade Town status. The goals aim to increase the presence of the FAIRTRADE Mark and Fairtrade products throughout the local community, including the local council, faith groups, businesses and schools.

FIVE GOALS TO ACHIEVE 'FAIRTRADE TOWN' STATUS:

  1. The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade and committing to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens
  2. A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population size)
  3. Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc)
  4. The council must attract popular support for the campaign
  5. A Fairtrade Steering Group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status

There are many Fairtrade Towns (including boroughs, cities, islands, counties, zones and villages) across the UK. Check out the full list at www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved_fairtrade_towns.htm.

MAKING LONDON A FAIRTRADE CITY

The Fairtrade London Campaign aims to ensure that all Londoners have the opportunity to buy Fairtrade products by encouraging shops, cafés, businesses, schools, faith groups, universities and community organisations to sell or serve Fairtrade products. The table below lists the five Fairtrade Towns goals together with additional goals (in blue) set by the Fairtrade Foundation to ensure Fairtrade is promoted to the residents of London.

Goal Progress So Far
1. Fairtrade resolution: the local council passes a resolution in support of Fairtrade... Ken Livingstone committed support for the campaign on behalf of London in 2003 Many of London's boroughs have passed local resolutions
2. Fairtrade products must be available in the area's shops and catering establishments. At least 740 retail outlets and 370 catering establishments must be selling and serving products that carry the FAIRTRADE Mark in London based on the population of 7.4 million. Five boroughs have met their individual Goal 2 targets
The Fairtrade London Steering Group will compile a list of shops and catering outlets serving Fairtrade products so please contact your local borough or the Fairtrade Foundation if you know of any in your area or if you work in a shop or café that stocks Fairtrade
3. Fairtrade products must be used by local workplaces and organisations
There must be one flagship employer in each borough
Faith groups must be made aware of the campaign across London to raise awareness across all cultures 'Who supports the London Campaign?' Promoting Fairtrade in your Church or Faith group 		Promoting Fairtrade in your Church or Faith group [ click here ]
4. Popular support for the campaign must be generated Coverage from London-wide media must be gained Find out about News and Events
5. A London-wide Steering Group should be formed The steering group was formed in 2003 and has representatives from borough steering groups, the Fairtrade Foundation, the GLA, NGOs and companies that sell Fairtrade products
17 boroughs need to achieve Fairtrade status Find out what's going on in your borough [ click here ]
Latest News [ click here ]
At least 2 of the 47 Universities in London must achieve 'Fairtrade University' status Promoting Fairtrade in your University [ click here ]
LSE, Royal Holloway and Kings College have all achieved Fairtrade University status so far - and there are more on the way. Please contact the Fairtrade Foundation if you would like to convert your university