Belfast, a Fairtrade city

Fairtrade

Fairtrade aims to give better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. Fairtrade addresses the injustices of modern trade, which can penalise the poorest producers. By getting companies to pay fair prices, it helps these producers to improve their position and have greater control over their own lives. 

How we support Fairtrade

As an organisation, we support Fairtrade by:

• buying Fairtrade products when possible
• using tea and coffee products with the Fairtrade mark at meetings and civic events
• encouraging our catering contractors to use Fairtrade tea and coffee
• encouraging organisations hosting events in the City Hall to use of Fairtrade products
• integrating Fairtrade issues into our the council's Climate Plan
• raising awareness about Fairtrade among our employees and Belfast citizens

Fairtrade city status

Belfast has had Fairtrade City status from the UK Fairtrade Foundation (link opens in a new window) since 2005. Belfast was the first city to gain dual Fairtrade accreditation when we also received accreditation from Fairtrade Ireland (link opens in a new window) in 2006.

Belfast Fairtrade Steering Group

The group is responsible for maintaining Belfast's Fairtrade City status through continued promotion and awareness of Fairtrade. The group is for people interested in trade injustice and international development through Fairtrade. Group membership is open to the public. The group usually meets every two to three months to discuss ways to advance Fairtrade in Belfast and to support group members in achieving this.

Joining Belfast Fairtrade Steering Group

New members are welcome. If you are interested in joining the Belfast Fairtrade Steering Group, email fairtrade@belfastcity.gov.uk

World Fairtrade Day 2024

World Fairtrade Day 2024 takes place on Saturday 11 May 2024.

Individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share stories about the people who:

• grow our food
• produce the tea and coffee we drink
• mine our gold
• grow cotton for our clothes

These people are often exploited and underpaid.

The aim of the day is to celebrate Fairtrade and encourage the public to, where possible, choose Fairtrade goods, becoming fair and ethical consumers.

It will highlight the urgent threat to the future of the foods and products we love and the livelihoods of the people who grow them, as they face the worst effects of the climate crisis.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2024

Fairtrade Fortnight 2024 will run from Monday 9 September to Sunday 22 September 2024.

It will mark 30 years of the Fairtrade Mark and will highlight and celebrate how 30 years of working together has made the Fairtrade Mark a leader of life-changing impact for farmers and works across the world.