working towards positive change
through development & education

Fairtrade

Skipton Fairtrade Initiative was formed in early 2013 in order to work towards Skipton being recognised as a Fairtrade town. This was realised in July 2014 and since then the group has renewed Fairtrade town status and continues to work towards raising awareness of the issues around unfair trade practices. Both our global education consultants are part of Skipton Fairtrade initiative and Liz is the current Chairperson.

What drives all of us involved with Skipton FT Initiative is the belief that every one of us has the power to change the world every day with the choices we make. Choosing FT might cost us a little bit more but we live in an increasingly interconnected world and by buying Fairtrade products we are showing that we respect the people who work hard to grow the things we love, and giving them choices for themselves and their families. Fairtrade brings the producers and consumers closer together.

What we’d like to see in Skipton is more work places using fairly traded products, coffee shops, hotels and guest houses serving FT tea and coffee, and more people asking for Fairtrade so that supermarkets stock a larger range of Fairtrade products - Fairtrade roses and breakfast cereals.

If you’d like to get involved and for more information contact liz@cravendec.org.uk

You can follow Skipton Fairtrade Initiative on Facebook

Fairtrade Fortnight is a fun-filled highlight of the year, when campaigners, businesses, schools and places of worship show their support for the farmers and workers who grow our food in developing countries.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2017: Monday 27 February - Sunday 12 March

The Fairtrade Schools Award was launched in 2007 with five goals for schools to achieve. A Fairtrade school is a school that is committed to Fairtrade. This means it helps young people understand how trade works and how to make global trade fairer. It sells and uses Fairtrade products as far as possible, and takes action for Fairtrade in school and in the local community. Over 1000 schools have achieved the Fairtrade Schools Award so far.

Gaining Fairtrade status is fun for everyone along the way. Go to www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools for information and ideas to help you.

Craven DEC supports schools gain Fairtrade status by facilitating a Fairtrade Schools network, loaning resources for developing Fairtrade activities and a number of areas closely related to Fairtrade including sustainability, human rights and child labour. We also encourage buddy arrangements.

In the local area Embsay C.E. Primary School, Glusburn C.P. Primary School, Kildwick C.E. School, Lothersdale C.P. Primary School, Skipton Girls' High School, Upper Wharfedale Secondary School, Water Street C.P. Primary School, Cononley Primary School, Cracoe and Rylstone C.E. Primary School and Greatwood Primary School have gained the Fair Achiever status. Several schools have either achieved or are working towards the being Fair Aware and Fair Active status.