Campaigning Together took place on Wednesday 12 November
Updates from Scottish Fair Trade
Join Scotland’s Climate March – walk with the Fair Trade bloc
Report published: Climate, Environment & Fair Trade – Making the Connection
Soon to follow: a presentation about Fair Trade & Climate to use in your communities and to present to Scotland’s Climate Action Hubs
Our Youth Collective Crowdfunder is building momentum – see the update
Our Youth Campaign – The System Swap, Build the World You Want, will be launched in the new year
Next Fairtrade Fortnight is likely to be theme-focused. You can still sign the petition
Stronger Starts grants – from greenspace scotland – for your local schools and youth groups. Fair Trade campaigning, smoothie bikes, Fairtrade footballs and more could be eligible
Join the follow up session to the International Fair Trade Towns Conference on 3 December at 1pm, online – check our events page next week
Join the next Cross Party Group on Fair Trade on 3 December at 6pm – Fair Trade in Times of Conflict: Voices from Palestinian Farmers
Presentation from Strathaven’s Fair Trade Group, with thanks to Maureen Geraghty
Maureen’s presentation is available here.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this great project. The group would like to thank Point North for funding both projects.
And watch this space for the mural that’s in the planning stages and will feature on Strathaven’s Scotmid building.
Group Sharing about Fairtrade Fortnight and more
West Lothian – Anne attended West Lothian College’s Freshers’ Week with a stall, and has involvement with local businesses Shin-Etsu and Levenseat.
Linlithgow – Ian gave a Fair Trade talk at Bathgate Guild, and they will have a stall at the advent fayre, and the festival of trees. The tree decorations will be tea-themed! And around 1,000 people attend the fayre.
North Lanarkshire – Morag attended the International Fair Trade Towns Conference in August, and Buchanan High School in Coatbridge had a bubble tea event to celebrate Fairtrade choices becoming available in their café.
Kirkcudbright – Kath had a Fair Trade pop-up shop for 3 days during Fairtrade Fortnight, was involved in chocolate tastings at Tesco and the Co-op, and held a coffee morning to gather signatures for the Fairtrade Foundation’s petition. Kath will also attend the local Christmas fayre, and will take the chance to talk about Fairtrade in both a church and school in London!
Dumfries – with a stall at Glasgow University’s Dumfries campus, Alison made contact with a lecturer from the Education Department who is working on a Learning for Sustainability course for student teachers – which will now feature Fair Trade!
Dunscore – Matthew attended the mass climate lobby at the Scottish Parliament in September, where he spoke to many MSPs about introducing Fairtrade tea and coffee to their offices. The response was positive and Matthew has followed up with those he didn’t have the chance to chat to.
Inverness – the bridge in 
Inverness was looking great during Fairtrade Fortnight. Agnes and the group was involved at the Freshers’ Fayre, and with the Brownies. They’ve been in touch with the Chamber of Commerce to do some awareness-raising, and plan a coffee morning on Saturday 29 November when the Lord Provost will announce renewed Fairtrade City status! Well done to Inverness.
Balerno – during Fairtrade Fortnight there was a stall at the farmers’ market. They plan to enter Balerno’s Christmas Tree festival and will have a coffee morning in March. There are plans too for an art competition involving local schools in the Spring.
North Ayrshire – Pam reported various events including one at Cunninghame House council offices, money-off vouchers at Sainsbury’s, and the Co-op in Beith. A stall was held at Kilwinning, and attended by a local Councillor.
In the news:
North Ayrshire – 22 September
Inverness – 23 September
Strathaven – 13 October
North Lanarkshire – 13 October
Please let us know if you made it into the news and we’ll add the link.
Fair Trade Finders
Have a look at the new-look Fair Trade Finders. It’s easier to do on your phone as you’re able to add the photos more easily. If we all add one or two local shops, restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets, the map will start to fill out. Any problems adding, please get in touch.
Thank you to everyone who joined, it was so great to hear about all your on-going campaigning work.
Details of our next meeting will be available shortly (11 Feb meeting will be rescheduled)
