from Garstang to the World Fairtrade Towns from Garstang to the World

Welcome! How and why Fairtrade Towns started in Garstang The Five Goals The benefits of a Fairtrade Town campaign The challenges faced Introduction: (10 minutes) Brief introduction to Fairtrade, the Fairtrade Mark, what it guarantees consumers and how it guarantees this. Handover to Bruce (15 minutes) Case study Garstang the world’s first Fairtrade Town, Fairtrade Towns: The Five Goals Benefits to producers, communities and local authorities Local Authorities and FT Towns – some examples of best practice Discussion: (30 minutes) Consider the Five Goals: What can a local authority contribute to each of the areas? What can they give? What can they gain? (Depending on group size: divide group into pairs to focus on one goal or do as a group discussion.) Feedback / conclusions (5 minutes)

The FAIRTRADE Mark Five guarantees St Lucia – 85% banana crop destroyed last month by Hurricane Dean. Over 80% of banana growers in the Windwards are certified FT. This means FAIR AND STABLE PRICE FTF is working with UK retailers to ensure that there is a market for farmers when they are ready to export again (after replanting) and to ensure that a market is maintained for farmers who still have bananas ready for export. SOCIAL PREMIUM: Farmers association WINFA have put aside some of the premium for emergencies (in addition to buying school equipment or building access roads to farms) . Emergency fund was used to clear the devestation and will be used for new banana plants – the future! POWER: Because farmers need to be part of an organised cooperative, individual families are not facing the disaster alone. There are solid, organised farmer networks coming together to deal with the aftermath and plan for the future. PEOPLE: Conrad James from St Lucia visited the UK over Fairtrade Fortnight 2007 …

The FAIRTRADE Mark means: Price - Farmers receive a fair and stable price Premium - Producer groups receive a social premium Planet - Greater respect for the environment Power - Small farmers have a stronger position in world markets People - A closer link between the consumer and producers

Fairtrade Facts More than 7 million people across 59 developing countries, benefit from the international Fairtrade system UK sales have increased by 40% each year since 1994 and now stand at £300m/yr There are over 3,000 products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark Recognition of the FAIRTRADE Mark almost 60%

Fairtrade Towns “The beacon that has started in Garstang can spread like wildfire through the whole country” George Foulkes – past Under Secretary of State, June 2000

The Five Goals Council passes a Resolution supporting Fairtrade A range of Fairtrade products are readily available in the area’s shops & catering establishments Fairtrade products are used by a number of work places & community organisations Attract media coverage & popular support for the campaign The five goals are:   1.      Local council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in its offices and canteens. 2.      A range of Fairtrade products are readily available to buy in the area’s shops & in local cafés/catering establishments. A range means at least two Fairtrade products. The number of retail and catering outlets required depend on the population size of the area concerned. Suggested targets are given in the Fairtrade Towns Action Guide. 3.      Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places and community organisations (churches, schools etc). For a large city a large flagship employer is expected. 4.      Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign. 5.      A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status. This should ideally include a council representative, campaigners and people representing the area’s schools, churches and businesses. The group is responsible for an annual assessment to monitor whether the area is continuing to meet the five goals and organises special events for Fairtrade Fortnight in March each year. Although based on the Garstang model, the goals are made to fit whatever size of place from a small village like Cherry Burton (with a population of under 1500) to a city the size of Birmingham. Therefore apart from Goal 2 no definite targets are set and each application is assessed according to the circumstances for each individual community. These Goals are clearly set out in the Fairtrade Towns Action Guide available from the Fairtrade Foundation. A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure commitment to Fairtrade Town status

Political parties Faith Groups Educators & students Trade Unions Other groups NGOs Traidcraft Reps. Environ. Retailers & businesses Council Fairtrade Town Steering Group

Success of Fairtrade Towns Another 240 campaigns Fairtrade Faith Groups Over 50 Fairtrade Universities Fairtrade Schools We now have over 130 Fairtrade Towns in the UK (including the Fairtrade Capital Cities of Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh) and there are over 240 places that we know of, working towards Fairtrade status (including Greater London) 15 Fairtrade Universities and over 1000 churches.

Inspired other initiatives In 13 other countries Gold Star Communities Fair Deal Awards Walkers Are Welcome Towns Cities of Sanctuary? We now have over 130 Fairtrade Towns in the UK (including the Fairtrade Capital Cities of Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh) and there are over 240 places that we know of, working towards Fairtrade status (including Greater London) 15 Fairtrade Universities and over 1000 churches.

Benefits to running a Fairtrade Town campaign For Producers For the community For Local Authority

Benefits to the Community Social capital and networking Positive increase in civic pride and opportunities for shared action and celebration Wider benefits by linking campaign to other issues e.g. local produce

Benefits to the Local Authority It demonstrates a commitment to Local Agenda 21 It demonstrates effective citizenship and real leadership It will facilitate community engagement It will provide a positive impact on recruitment and motivation of employees

The challenges faced Limited capacity to run the Fairtrade Towns Initiative Developing the goals and keeping it credible Use of the FAIRTRADE Mark The Fairtrade Towns campaign is run by the Fairtrade Foundation which is the UK member of the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation . Although the campaigns are very much driven by the people themselves the Fairtrade Foundation coordinates the campaigns and supports them by supplying a range of resources.

Any Questions? The Fairtrade Towns campaign is run by the Fairtrade Foundation which is the UK member of the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation . Although the campaigns are very much driven by the people themselves the Fairtrade Foundation coordinates the campaigns and supports them by supplying a range of resources.