In 2006, the Scottish Executive (and the Welsh Assembly) agreed to work towards becoming Fair Trade Nations. we will work to make Fair Trade Nation status a genuine achievement that shows attitudes and habits have changed because of better widespread awareness and understanding that the way we in Scotland live can have a positive impact on people in the developing world whom we may never even meet.
The Fairtrade Foundation encourages campaigns to raise awareness in villages, towns and counties throughout the UK. These campaigns have led to a substantial increase in consumer demand for Fairtrade goods – and where there is a demand, suppliers follow.
In West Dunbartonshire, a Fairtrade Steering Group has been operating since 2006 and in September 2007 the group was successful in achieving Fairtrade Town status for Balloch.
A Fairtrade Town is a town, city, village, county, zone, island or borough that has made a commitment to supporting Fairtrade and using products with the Fairtrade Mark. Any area can work towards Fairtrade status and everyone needs to be involved! Community organisations, faith groups, businesses, schools and individuals all contribute to making their area a Fairtrade Town by pledging to do what they can to support Fairtrade and promote the FAIRTRADE Mark.
In Clydebank, St Columba’s High School has achieved Fairtrade status not only for the school but the cluster of primary schools in St Columba’s catchment - St Eunans, St Josephs, St Mary’s (Duntocher) and St Stephens Primary schools.
The West Dunbartonshire Fairtrade Steering Group are now working towards achieving Fairtrade status for the whole of West Dunbartonshire. You can help by purchasing Fairtrade products locally and asking local retailers, cafes, businesses, your own workplace or community group, your local church or school to become involved and make a commitment to using Fairtrade products.
Click here for your local guide to Fairtrade products and providers in West Dunbartonshire.
For more information on the Fairtrade Steering Group, or to add your business to the Fairtrade guide, please contact the Policy Unit on 01389 737231 or Email: policy.unit@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
View how WDC initially got involved with Fairtrade
