The Fairtrade Towns association

London became a Fairtrade City on 23rd October 2008, and we are proud to be part of the Fairtrade Towns movement.

The Fairtrade Towns movement aims to bring jointly people from all sectors of the society to promote Fairtrade and the FAIRTRADE Mark. It was initiate by a group of supporters who affirmed Garstang in Lancashire the 1st Fairtrade Town in 2000. The campaign caught the mind of local campaigners, politicians and businesses. It tenable media coverage across North West England and ensured that many more people could recognize the FAIRTRADE Mark and understand its purpose.

There are now over 500 Fairtrade Towns in the UK, as well as more than 200 areas agitation towards Fairtrade status. The occurrence has not stopped at the border. In addition, there are now 1000 Fairtrade Towns in 20 countries around the world… all of these enthused by the example in the UK.

In order to be awarded Fairtrade Town status, towns have to meet each of the Five Goals. The goals aim to add to the presence of the FAIRTRADE Mark and Fairtrade products all through the local society, including the local council, faith group’s members, businesses and schools.

Five goals to achieve Fairtrade Town status:

1.The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade and commit to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meeting and in offices and canteens.

2.A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafes and catering establishment

3.Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organizations

4.The council must attract fashionable support for the campaign.

5.A Fairtrade Steering Group must be convening to ensure continual commitment to Fairtrade Town status.

The Olympic Torch for Fairtrade

What I like about the 2012 Olympic Torch impart is that it links communities throughout the ground with the Olympic Games in London, which in turn link with communities throughout the world.

On 8 June 2012, the day I carried the torch, the group of people was alive. I was taken aback at the size and nature of the crowds. Folk were out in cup last numbers. In the village where I carried the torch, I have been told the ambiance was buzzing two hours before the torch was due to arriving. Something big was occurrence in Barr mill; North Ayrshire and people were paying attention.

I carried the torch as high as I could. I wasn’t concerned at being told millions were watching about the world online, but strong-minded to do a grand job. I waved to the primary school children and high-fived those success out from the crowd. I spotted family members and group among the crowd. I had agreed an embrace with Thomas, the next torch bearer. As I flung my arms around him, I without knowing clouted the escort policeman with the torch.

It was a short and fast run, lasting only a few minutes, but the reminiscences, well, those are for a lifetime. There is a time capsule, to be open in Barr mill in 20 years time, which will show that my movement for Fairtrade cotton school wear was original in 2012, but perhaps in 2032 those investigate the capsule will all be tiring fairly traded cotton. The spirit of fair play at the Olympics that year will with any luck once again be relayed by a torch in lieu of peace, unity and friendship.

Fair Trade Towns — a Brief History

The concept of a Fair Trade Town was recognized in the UK in 1999 when local members of Oxfam in Garstang England decided to raise local awareness of Fair Trade by establish the concept of a Fair Trade Town. The movement won the support of local businesses, churches, schools, town committee and the local media.

A criteria for qualification as a Fair Trade Town was created and made needy on the number of retail stores and cafés supply Fair Trade products in comparison with the inhabitants. There was also a obligation for support from local faith groups, schools and the town council.

Upon pleasing the criteria, in 1999, town council declared Garstang a Fair Trade Town. By 2006 there were more than 200 Fair Trade towns in the UK and by 2010 this number had grown to 400, counting Dublin, London and Edinburgh. Fair Trade Towns were also appearing throughout Europe, New Zealand and United States. San Francisco qualified in May 2009.

By 2006 there were more 200 Fair Trade towns in the UK and by 2009 this number had grown to 400, including Dublin, London and Edinburgh. Fair Trade Towns were also appearing all through Europe, Australia, New Zealand and United States. San Francisco qualified in May 2009.

In Canada, Wolfville, Nova Scotia was declared, by town council, as Canada's Fair Trade Town in 2007. Smaller community such as, Port Colborne ON, Gimli MB, and Golden, B.C. was added in the following years, and in 2010 Vancouver and Barrie, Ontario qualified. More information is available at www.fairtradetowns.org and www.transfair.

Fair Trade Promotional Event

Luck now

A Fair Trade awareness program was organized at Luck now on 23rd May 2012 by Fair Trade Forum – India in partnership Grace Base and Kalatmak Handicrafts. It was the last among a series of Fair Trade promotional events, formally inaugurate on 12th May, World Fair Trade Day 2012. The program was organized under Pros stain project support by the European Union. Legislative body from Fair Trade organizations, students, development workers and representatives from various government departments participate in the program.

DOWNUNDER

Anna and Daniel Don’t from FAIR TRADE DOWNUNDER visited Fair Trade Forum – India on Tuesday 6th June 2012. The organization is working on promote Fair Trade products in Australia. The model consists of two mechanisms. The first one is facilitation of setting up Fair Trade shop at home, church, schools or community group. The second is promoting Fair Trade among consumers by explaining about the Fair Trade experiences s from different parts of the world, which they visited. Know more about FAIR TRADE DOWNUNDER .

Fairtrade supporting more Producers

Handicrafts

•SERRV Internationals Artisan Work website - Learning modules and exercises on topics similar to Product Development, Marketing, and Production preparation, videos and slideshows that point up best practices, discussion groups to connect with artisans and expert around the world, and more capital, links, documents, and advice

•Fair Wage Guide - A free, web-based tool to help calculate fair income in the local context

•Exporting to the United States: A Guide for Small overseas Exporters by Belisa de las Casas and Luke Zahner, 2004

•Style and Trends Report - The Crafts Center's analysis of current color and other style trend.

•The ATA Export Manual: A Guide to Exporting Crafts to the US by Docey Lewis and Karen Gibbs. Available from Aid to Artisans.

•Guide to Major U.S. Retailers include advice for producers and make contact with information for physical and online craft retailer and wholesalers. Available from the Crafts Center.

Funding

•Developpement international Desjardins works to improve access to financial services in community in developing countries by creating, developing, and increase financial institutions that are rooted in the community.

•OikoCredit offers loans, credit lines, equity money, and guarantees to fair trade organizations.

•Funding Resources for Artisans international explains ways of obtaining funding and lists contact information for many possible funding sources. Available from the Crafts Center.

•Foundation for International Community Assistance provides financial services to the world's lowest-income entrepreneurs so they can create jobs fabricate assets and improve their standard of living.

•Research and Applications for Alternative Financing for Development - A private base based in Geneva that advises, supports, and provides a frame for local associations of farmers, women, independent artisans, small businesses, savings and loan groups, and microfinance institutions in Southern countries to help small and micro-businesses become self-sustainable.

•worldwide Finance Corporation Financing is only available to those in a developing nation that is a member of IFC

FairTrade Supporting Producers

While FTF does not straight build capacity in producers, many of its members and allies provide technical support, product development, and other services.

Commodities

•Fairtrade Labeling Organization - An umbrella organization that unites 25labeling initiative in 21 countries and producer network in place of Fairtrade Certified Producer Organizations in Central and South America, Africa and Asia.

o Fairtrade Certification - An overview of the procedure for joining the FLO certification system

•Cooperative Coffees - A roaster-owned, green coffee import cooperative that partners with small-scale coffee farmers to build direct, fair trade relations. They are collectively owned by 24 fair trade coffee roasters located throughout Canada and the US.

•Belgium Development Agency Trade for Development Centre - has produced a series of useful guide for producer organizations to counsel them on transitioning to organic, attractive decision-making, contracts, and other skills.

Organization

Cooperative organization is one of the most excellent ways to promote empower workplaces. To help organize yourself and/or the producers with whom you may be working, consult these resources:

•Cooperative Development institute Guide to Starting a Cooperative - Outlines the International helpful Principles and an overview of successful cooperative development.

•USDA - How to Start a Cooperative - Outlines the process of organizing and finance a cooperative business

•UNCTAD's How to Prepare Your Business Plan - This publication was prepared in the structure of a technical assistance project aimed at increase the capacity of least developed countries to mobilize capital through venture capital funds.

It is intended for use in the training of senior and middle managing in business planning and as a reference manual for person enterprises to prepare their business plans, for compliance to investors for funding, counting venture capital funds.