‘Fairtrade Town’- what do Birmingham’s authorities contribute? March 26, 2010

Looking back over my posts about Birmingham’s Fairtrade Town status, I decided that the subject should be investigated further.  Certain questions were left wholly unanswered: What does the Fairtrade Association Birmingham (FAB) actually do? How much funding are they given to carry out their business? Do they organise the fairtrade events that they publicise? How involved is the Council? This is what we aim to find out.

The Fairtrade Foundation (which runs the Fairtrade Town scheme) receives funding from the European Union. We are investigating how much funding is distributed to Birmingham’s Fairtrade Town cause and how they are spending it.

After speaking to several local fairtrade local businesses, the general consensus is that the Council and FAB don’t actively do much to maintain Birmingham’s status. We will be looking into this for you…

Birmingham’s Fairtrade status- Is it safe? March 11, 2010

Birmingham currently holds the title of being a ‘Fairtrade Town’ (well, city) and has done since November 2005.

According to the Fairtrade Towns scheme,

“A Fairtrade Town is any community that:
• supports Fairtrade and deepens understanding of the benefits Fairtrade brings
• takes action by choosing Fairtrade products whenever possible and encourages others to do likewise
• achieves and continues to take action on the five Fairtrade Town goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation.”

There are 5 criterion to fulfill in order to become a Fairtrade Town. These are:

1. Local council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to serve Fairtrade products (for example, in meetings, offices and canteens).

2. A range of (at least two) Fairtrade products are readily available in the area’s retail outlets (shops, supermarkets, newsagents, petrol stations) and served in local catering outlets (cafés, restaurants, pubs).

3. Local workplaces and community organisations (places of worship, schools,universities, colleges and other communityorganisations) support Fairtrade and use Fairtrade products whenever possible. Populations over 100,000 will also need a flagship employer.

4. Media coverage and events raise awareness and understanding of Fairtrade across the community.

5. A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure the Fairtrade Town campaign continues to develop and gain new support.

Birmingham’s Fairtrade campaign group is the Fairtrade Association Birmingham (FAB), which is supported by the city council.

I have contacted a few of the relevant authorities as I aim to find out how much Birmingham is doing to hold onto its green credentials.

For more info on ‘Fairtrade Towns’ see the guide published by the movement.

Can Birmingham stay 'green'?