Town Fairtrade Towns Goals and Guidelines Contents Introduction Four Goals for a Fairtrade Town, City or Zone – A Summary 2 Four Goals for a Fairtrade Town, City or Zone – In detail 3 Goal 1: A Fairtrade group is established to achieve Fairtrade Town status 4 Goal 2: Fairtrade Fortnight is promoted as a key focus for local awareness-raising around Fairtrade 6 Goal 3: Schools are supported to raise awareness and promote Fairtrade 8 Goal 4: Promote increased availability and sales of Fairtrade products locally 10 Additional Information 12 Fund Raising Monitoring Renewal of Fairtrade Status Educational Resources available Use of The Fairtrade Towns Identity 12 Map of Fairtrade Towns 13 Cover: Fairtrade Farmers’ representatives Alex Flores from El Salvador and Alfredo Ortega from Belize with Councillor Michael O'Sullivan from Dublin City Council during Fairtrade Fortnight 2014. 1. Introduction In September 2013, Clonakilty celebrated the 10th goal internationally. However with the Local Government anniversary of becoming Ireland’s first Fairtrade town. reform, which comes into effect from May 2014, towns The Fairtrade towns’ initiative has been very successful, may face considerable challenges to getting a resolution with more than 50 Fairtrade towns in Ireland alone. passed. Therefore, we have broadened the scope of bodies that can pass a resolution in support of Fairtrade Mindful that the context in which the promotion and sale to include Municipal Councils and Chambers of of Fairtrade products has changed considerably over Commerce. the intervening 10 years, Fairtrade Ireland instigated a review of the Fairtrade Towns Goals in September 2013. Fairtrade Fortnight is widely seen as the key annual Regional consultation meetings were held in Sligo, activity for raising public awareness around Fairtrade. Carlow, Clonakilty, Limerick and Belfast with volunteers For many Fairtrade towns, it provides a focus for their from 16 Fairtrade groups. work each year and helps to keep the groups motivated, particularly when they have achieved status. It also General public awareness levels of the FAIRTRADE mark helps to get media attention at a local level. rose from 12% in 2002 to 88% in 2013 so volunteers in Fairtrade groups throughout Ireland have been very Feedback suggested removing some of the specificity successful in getting the message out to their local from the guidelines. For example, the population targets communities. Back when the Fairtrade Towns’ initiative have been removed. Also, as noted above there is little started, if 3 or 4 products were available locally, this was point in retaining a target of 3-4 Fairtrade products given seen as a success. Now, however, even the local corner their wide availability. The target of 12 Fairtrade shop has a range of items with the Fairtrade mark. businesses switching to Fairtrade has also been Products such as coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, chocolate, removed, although they are still required to convert a bananas, ice cream, biscuits and snacks, flowers and flagship business. wine are available in towns throughout the country. As of 10th March 2014, there are 51 Fairtrade towns and Support from the local Council remains, as this is a key a further 23 groups working towards achieving status. Fairtrade TOWNS 1 Four Goals for a Fairtrade Town, 2. Fairtrade Fortnight is promoted as a key focus for local awareness-raising around Fairtrade City or other Community • Organise at least one community event during Fairtrade Fortnight, and engage with a range of local – A Summary groups • Make clear links between producers and consumers to highlight the impact of Fairtrade The purpose of a Fairtrade Town is to contribute to • Work with local Media and Press during Fairtrade Fairtrade Ireland’s aim of tackling poverty by enabling Fortnight via local newspaper, radio, social networks disadvantaged producers from poor countries to receive such as facebook and twitter. Take pictures or video a better deal, through encouraging support for the your events and share on your facebook pages or FAIRTRADE Mark. In order to further this aim by share them with Fairtrade Ireland becoming a Fairtrade Town, the following four goals • Have Fairtrade presence within other events/festivals must be realised. When they are, a signed and dated throughout the year. For example, farmers’ markets, certificate will be presented by Fairtrade Ireland. The agricultural shows, music festivals…) goals are in bold. Optional extras, recommended but not required, are in italics. 3. Schools are supported to raise awareness and promote Fairtrade 1. A Fairtrade group is established to achieve • Work with school teachers and students to promote Fairtrade Town status Fairtrade in schools • This should ideally include a council representative, • Encourage schools to become Fairtrade schools chamber of commerce, and people representing the • Support schools to participate in Fairtrade Fortnight areas schools, young people, churches, local • and other actions as appropriate. businesses, local action groups. • Group meets at least twice during the year and 4. Promote increased availability and sales of facilitates ongoing work through appropriate channels. Fairtrade products locally • Town/municipal council or other relevant body (such • Support the increased sales of Fairtrade products by as Chamber of Commerce) passes a resolution working with local retailers and businesses; this supporting Fairtrade and agrees to use 100% should include 100% FAIRTRADE Mark coffee in a Fairtrade coffee at its meetings. number of cafes and restaurants • Share experience and good practice with other • Encourage a flagship business to serve Fairtrade Fairtrade communities online and/or face-to-face coffee and other products through opportunities such as the annual Fairtrade • Respond to urgent action requests from Fairtrade Towns and Supporters Conference. Ireland and support specific commodity focuses • Encourage Town/municipal council or other relevant body to commit to (public) procurement of Fairtrade products where appropriate) 2 Fairtrade TOWNS Four Goals for a Fairtrade Town, Rationale Public support: Ultimately, local authorities are City or Zone democratically controlled institutions that are meant to be run in the public interest. Therefore, if you can show – In detail that the public – or at least, a significant section of the public – are interested in Fairtrade, they are much more likely to be receptive. Fairtrade groups can organise a petition asking the council to develop a Fairtrade policy, which people can sign at Fairtrade events. Letters to the A Fairtrade group is established local press are also effective in showing public support, GOAL 1 to achieve Fairtrade Town status especially in the run-up to a council decision. Where there is no local town council, support from the Chamber of Commerce may be sought. The great thing about the Fairtrade Town initiative is that The Local Government Reform Act 2014 has if you have already been supporting and promoting implications for getting a resolution. While some areas Fairtrade in your community, then you have already will see an increase in the level of local representation, begun your campaign. The next step is to bring a group many others will see their town council abolished and of people together to work on the campaign. It does not larger municipal councils created. This is both a need to be a large group, but should ideally include a challenge and an opportunity for Fairtrade towns’ council and/or chamber of commerce representative, groups. and people representing the local community - e.g. schools, young people, churches, local businesses, Local Agenda 21: Local authorities are now obliged by local action groups. law to develop community strategies, which take forward sustainable development aims, through a The group should meet at least twice a year. For program known as Local Agenda 21. This approach is example, if the main focus of the group is Fairtrade based on participation at a community level and respect Fortnight, then the group may need to meet to plan for the economic, social, cultural and environmental activities in advance and to share learning afterwards. needs of local communities. Depending on people’s availability the group may choose to meet at other times throughout the year. Fairtrade can be included as part of this, but you may need to point out that global issues are part of The town/municipal council or, where this is not sustainable development, and that government practical, the Chamber of Commerce passes a guidance specifically allows for their inclusion. In most resolution in support of Fairtrade and commits to authorities, this is the responsibility of a Local Agenda serving 100% Fairtrade coffee on their premises (though 21 or Environmental Coordinator. This person may well use of Fairtrade tea and other products can also be be personally supportive, and able to offer guidance encouraged). A sample resolution is provided on page 5. about the best ways of persuading the council to support Fairtrade, so it is worth contacting them in the Once status has been achieved, the council should first instance. Look at the council’s website or their erect signage declaring it a Fairtrade town. This should entry in the phone book to find out who to contact and be placed at the entrance to the town in a prominent how to get in touch with them. place. Additional signage can be erected during Fairtrade Fortnight. Professional representation: When contacting or meeting councillors/council staff or, where absent, the Fairtrade towns’ groups are encouraged to share their Chamber of Commerce, be professional in your learning online with other Fairtrade towns through media approach, and make it clear that you represent a wider such as Facebook, twitter or a website. Alternatively body of opinion than simply your own! The more local they can meet face-to-face with other Fairtrade towns at groups and civil society networks you can bring on events, including the Fairtrade towns and supporters board and speak for, the better.