Edinburgh has held Fairtrade City status since 2004. We officially support fair trade and help the city work towards fair trade goals.
Fair trade is a movement to give
- better prices
- fair terms of trade
- improved working conditions
for farmers and workers in the developing world.
To learn more visit the Fairtrade Foundation and the Edinburgh Fairtrade City Facebook page.
Fairtrade Fortnight: Monday 27 February to Sunday 12 March 2023
Fairtrade Fortnight this year promotes a simple message: choose Fairtrade now and help save our favourite foods. Cocoa, bananas and coffee could soon be much more difficult to find on our shelves as climate change is making crops like these harder and harder to grow. Combined with deeply unfair trade, communities growing these crops are being pushed to the brink. Fairtrade farmers are among those who have contributed the least to the climate crisis, but are already feeling the worst effects.
Edinburgh has held Fairtrade City status since 2004 and Lord Provost Robert Aldridge firmly supports the Fairtrade movement, stating, “More of us choosing Fairtrade means extra income, power, and support for those communities as they work to build sustainable and prosperous futures. So not only is choosing Fairtrade best for people and planet, it could help save everyday treats like chocolate, bananas and a hot cuppa! Simply buying Fairtrade products means more money farmers can use to adapt to climate change and invest in climate-smart farming.”
Across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Oceania, small-scale farmers are experiencing the worst effects of climate change.
Trade justice is necessary for climate justice. Fairtrade advocates for farmers to earn a living income, which means they have the power to effectively tackle the crises affecting their communities and can rely on sustainable livelihoods.
Fairtrade communities play a key role in raising awareness of the link between trade and poverty. Engage with Fairtrade Fortnight to protect people and planet, and buy Fairtrade products to make trade fairer for those in lower-income countries. Fairtrade fights the climate crisis: Fairtrade Standards encourage producers to protect the environment by improving soil, planting trees, conserving water and avoiding pesticides, while Fairtrade’s climate academies help farmers share best practices and learn the latest agricultural methods to adapt to conditions.
You can sign up to this year's online Big Fairtrade Get Togethers here
Ways in which your school, faith group, or business can become involved in Fairtrade Fortnight are here
Join us this Fairtrade Fortnight and act for climate justice.
Ways in which your business can become involved in Fairtrade Fortnight are here
Join us this Fairtrade Fortnight and help fight the climate crisis.
Get involved
There are many ways that you can help support and promote fair trade:
Volunteers to help with fair trade events
Edinburgh Fairtrade City is looking for events volunteers to join their team.
Read about volunteering with Edinburgh Fairtrade City
Duties may involve, but not be limited to, the following:
- welcome visitors, children and adults
- set up displays and decorations
- ask visitors to take action post-event
- speak about and promote fair trade
- tidy up post-event and re-pack and load supplies
- looking after a stall and engaging visitors at events, some of which are outdoors
- hosting a public event with a guest speaker
- promoting our events, at a time and method which suits you and your schedule
We are looking for volunteers that are
- interested in fair trade
- committed to promoting key communications, campaigns, and staying on-message
- able to report to the office bearers of the Edinburgh Fairtrade City Steering Group
- aged 18 or over
- friendly and self-confident
- good at communication with adults and children
- interested in engaging with the general public and children
- good team workers
- able to work independently
- able to commit regularly to events - approximately four to six each year.
To apply email russell.salton@outlook.com up to 200 words outlining your:
- interest in fair trade
- skills
- past experience promoting fair trade
- contact details
Buy fair trade products
There are over 43 suppliers of Fairtrade Mark, WFTO guaranteed and fairly traded products across Scotland, many with online shops. You can find a list of suppliers offering ethical, sustainable and Fair Trade clothing and accessories, crafts, food and drink, homeware and other produce to help you buy Fair Trade on the Scottish Fair Trade Forum and fair trade products on the Fairtrade Foundation website.
Use or become a fair trade business
Find out how to be a fair trade business on the Fairtrade Foundation website.
In Edinburgh there are several
- cafes
- hotels
- wholesalers
- apartments.
Be a fair trade school
Visit the Fairtrade Schools website to find out how to become a Fairtrade School and get supporting materials and resources.
Twelve Edinburgh schools have gained fair trade status and others are working towards it:
- Blackhall Primary
- Hermitage Park Primary
- Holy Rood High
- Leith Primary
- Royal High Primary
- St Ninian's RC Primary
- St Thomas of Aquin's High
- St Catherine's RC Primary
- St John's RC Primary
- Stenhouse Primary
- Towerbank Primary
- Trinity Primary.
A Fairtrade School is committed to fair trade. It
- uses fair trade products as far as possible
- learns about how global trade works and why fair trade is important; and
- takes action for fair trade in the school and the community.
Join the network
The Edinburgh Fairtrade steering group - made up of the Council, individuals and organisations - meets regularly to find ways to promote fair trade in the city. It welcomes anyone with an interest in fair trade to join the Edinburgh Fairtrade City network.
Contact Russell Salton on russell.salton@outlook.com or 0751 699 7000.