TOWN/CITY  CRITERIA

The following are the six goals required to be met before Nenagh can be granted Fairtrade Town Status. As of end February 2009, Nenagh is well on course to meet these goals and achieve Fairtrade Status.

Six Goals for a Fairtrade Town, City or Zone

The purpose of a Fairtrade Town is to contribute to Fairtrade Mark Ireland’s aim of tackling poverty by enabling disadvantaged producers from poor countries to receive a better deal, through encouraging support for the FAIRTRADE Mark. In order to further this aim by becoming a Fairtrade Town, the following six goals must be realised. When they are, a signed and dated certificate will be presented by Fairtrade Mark Ireland.

The goals are in bold. Optional extras, recommended but not required, are in italics.
*Criteria according to population size

1. A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status. This should ideally include a council representative, campaigners, and people representing the areas schools, churches and local businesses. The group is responsible for an annual assessment to monitor whether the area is continuing to meet the six goals. The group organise special events during Fairtrade Fortnight

2. The Town council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings, in its offices and canteens. Town council commits to promoting Fairtrade to its constituency on a regular basis, through its free publication and other outlets. Town council allocates Fairtrade Town responsibilities to a member of staff or committee [possibly its environmental or Agenda 21 officer, working in partnership with a local Fairtrade steering group] to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status. Street signs are erected declaring it as a Fairtrade Town.

3. A range of FAIRTRADE Mark products [at least four] are available in the Town’s shops, and served in local cafes/ catering outlets. Catering outlets should serve 100% Fairtrade Mark coffee. Tea, cocoa and sugar are welcome additions. Retail stockists should include supermarkets, as well as health and whole food shops. These should display literature or posters advertising the fact that they sell or serve Fairtrade Mark products. A local Fairtrade directory could be produced advising people where they can buy or find FAIRTRADE Mark products – both on paper, and on-line.

4. FAIRTRADE Mark products are used by a flagship business as well as other local businesses and organisations. This should include schools, churches, large offices and local voluntary groups. Venues should display stickers, posters advising that they use Fairtrade and support the local Fairtrade Town campaign.

5. The group attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign. For the press the story can be revived as each goal is achieved, organising a big splash for the Fairtrade endorsement ceremony, and developing a strategy to keep it in the news long after.

6. A significant number of schools become Fairtrade Schools. They use the Civil, Social, and Political Education pack (cspe) and video or use The Alive-0 8 programme for primary schools.