We’re about to embark on Fairtrade Fortnight and as members of Holme Valley Fairtrade we’ve been invited to share what we do and why we do it.

At fairandfunky we empower people to take their own little steps to change the world. We run creative and interactive workshops on global themes of Fairtrade, recycling and the environment. We run events, we sell online, we blog and we take action – anything that encompasses those themes!

Fairtrade Fortnight is a campaign initiative from The Fairtrade Foundation – a chance for all Fairtrade campaigners to raise awareness and SHOUT about Fairtrade, wherever they are. And fairandfunky are no different – we are getting ready to SHOUT.

Fairtrade is one of the ways each and every one of us can take our own little step to change the world. Fairtrade connects us with the people behind the product – when you buy Fairtrade you are choosing to buy into a system which works with and alongside the poorest people in our world to trade out of poverty. Fairtrade enables farmers and workers to earn a fair price for the work they do, it gives them a voice in decision making, and empowers women. Fairtrade creates real opportunity and makes real change for farmers and their communities. 

Don’t just take our word for it. We have been lucky enough to meet, and speak to, a number of Fairtrade producers and have heard powerful words of how Fairtrade has made a difference. “Fairtrade has literally changed our way of thinking. It’s taught us to look after what is ours – for example our natural environment. It’s taught us to look after the health and safety of the workers on the farm. It’s given us the ability to save, so we’re able to educate our children. Even more importantly, it’s given us an opportunity to educate others in the community. In the co-operative we all get together and collectively make decisions about the best way to use the Fairtrade Premium.” Foncho Cantillo, Colombian Banana Farmer.

“Fairtrade has changed our lives so so much. We can pay for schools fees to send children to school. We have bought oxen and ox carts which has made everything so much easier!” Kenneth and Howard, Malawian Rice Farmer.

“Fairtrade makes my tea business sustainable and secures the environment. The premiums do social projects and are dear to us!” Patrick Kaberia, Kenyan Tea Farmer.

These conversations are really humbling. The things that have changed their lives, we take for granted – a roof on their houses, better transport, schools for their children, food on their tables. It inspires us to keep going and to continue to stand up for farmers and give them a voice; and to share the message of Fairtrade as far and wide as we can.

This Fairtrade Fortnight we plan to do just that –we’re organising 3 schools conferences which, in total, will inspire 275 students and 60 teachers to take Fairtrade back to their schools and communities. We’re leading 3 assemblies in local schools to share the message of Divine Chocolate and how they work to change the world. We’re running two Fairtrade focussed SCRAPtastic workshops in Huddersfield, alongside the fairandfunky pop-up shop. We’re speaking at an event in Halifax Minster to share ideas on local campaigning. And we’re also going to Parliament to engage MPs in conversation about Brexit and Fairtrade. Not forgetting BANANA BREAKOUT on Saturday 4th March with our Holme Valley Fairtrade friends.

It’s exhausting, but it’s worth it. And when Fairtrade currently only touches 1% of trade globally; and when half of the world’s hungry are farmers; this work is just the beginning.

So we invite you, to join us, wherever you are and however you can. Take a read of our Fairtrade Fortnight guest blogs over a cup of Fairtrade tea, share fairandfunky news on social media*, tell a school about the work we do or come along to one of our events. Whatever step you take, makes a HUGE difference to farmers and producers, and it is my taking all these little steps together that we will change the world.

*Find us on facebook, twitter and Instagram!

Following the Brexit vote the UK will renegotiate trade agreements with countries around the world. This could bring opportunities for fair trade but we also need to acknowledge the potential risks to Fairtrade producers as these deals are brokered.

There is an opportunity for the UK to trade in new ways following Brexit that will benefit producers directly.  With the right determination and focus,  innovative solutions could be reached that create opportunity for producer countries to trade not only with the UK but also with their neighbours – enabling them to create new products with added value; creating increased productivity, profit and development.

For example, coffee beans from Kenya currently experience zero tariffs on imports to the UK. However, roasted coffee beans from Kenya incur a 7% tariff on imports to the UK. This inhibits growth in jobs and development for the poorest people in our world. Imagine the possibilities if these were removed!

It’s really important that the best market schemes available are used to create new trade agreements that do not undermine poorer countries through an unfair marketplace. Otherwise there is real danger that the huge waves of progress made by campaigners over the last 25 years could just go crashing back down on the very producers we have campaigned tirelessly to empower.

Holme Valley Fairtrade would like to know what actions are the Government taking to ensure the UK will set the gold standard for development focused trade policy – one that will not adversely affect poorer countries through open markets. And we have written to our MP in great detail.

Please could you write your MP too? Even if yours is the same as ours! You can do that via the Fairtrade Foundation here

The UK is signed up to the SDGs, and trade creates opportunity to meet these international commitments on the environment, climate change, women’s empowerment and human rights. There is a real need for the International Development Secretary to ensure any future trade negotiations support sustainable development.  Could you ask your MP to contact Liam Fox MP, the International Trade Secretary, and ask if he will champion this?

We realise that there are a lot of different priorities for the UK to Government to consider over the next few years, but as Chair of Holme Valley Fairtrade I want to ensure that producers in developing countries are a priority, and hope that together we can make that happen. This is a time for Fairtrade Campaigners to rediscover their trade justice voice and start shouting.
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Useful links:
Fairtrade Foundation
Traidcraft