Annual Review 2012/13

Scottish Fair Trade Forum

2

Annual Review 2012/13

1970s Tanica instant coffee powder imported from Tanzania by campaigners in Oxford becomes the first fairly traded food product to be sold in the UK.

Chair’s WelcomeWhat a momentous year – we finally did it! Scotland can now proudly proclaim itself to be a Fair Trade Nation, second in the world after Wales. The agreed criteria have been achieved, and properly verified by an independent panel. It’s time to celebrate, time to remember and to thank all those whose efforts over many years made it possible.

Fair Trade has been asserted in ways many of us never thought possible. But now it must be firmly embedded in our culture and the way we do business. The gains must not be rolled back. There is still much work to be done.

Martin Meteyard, Chair, Scottish Fair Trade Forum

Ministerial MessagePeople in every city and across all local authority areas share a vision of Scotland as a good global citizen, committed to playing its part in addressing poverty.

I thank every person, business and organisation who has helped Scotland towards achieving Fair Trade Nation status in 2013. In particular I commend the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, who has been instrumental in driving forward our Fair Trade Nation agenda.

We must now build on this year’s achievements and continue to work hard to encourage even greater Scottish support for Fair Trade.

Humza Yousaf MSP, Minister for External Affairs and International Development

3

annual review 2012/13

1980 Campaign Coffee Scotland (CCS) starts to import and pack Tanica instant coffee.

Message from the DirectorThis year, we proudly announced that Scotland had met the criteria to be declared a Fair Trade Nation.

Fair Trade in Scotland has had a long and eventful journey, mapping decades of commitment from campaigners, who believed in fairness for producers. Fair Trade has always been about ensuring fair conditions and empowering producers to gain control over their livelihoods and the development of their communities. Making trade fair is a crucial aspect in eradicating poverty in developing countries.

The achievement of Fair Trade status reaffirms Scotland’s commitment to these relationships and to supporting fairer trade relations with some of the most marginalised communities around the world.

All those involved in this achievement should be proud of the success but we are all aware that there is much more to do in order to combat global poverty and inequality.

Martin Rhodes, Director, Scottish Fair Trade Forum

All Scotland’s cities have been awarded Fairtrade status by the Fairtrade Foundation

100% of local authority areas have active groups working towards Fairtrade status

Scottish Fair Trade Forum

4

Fair Trade Nation status achievedFairtrade Fortnight 2013 not only heralded the start of a busy two weeks’ worth of producer visits, but it was also the perfect time to announce Scotland’s Fair Trade Nation status achievement.

A crisp sunny February day heralded the Fair Trade Nation announcement made by Humza Yousaf MSP, Minister for External Affairs and International Development. A visit to Helenslea Hall in Glasgow’s East End, and a friendly kick-about with Fairtrade footballs started the historic day and it ended with an evening of speeches and Fairtrade wine at the Lighthouse in Glasgow. Campaigners heard Cheryl Sloan of the Fairtrade Foundation introduce Justine Watalunga from the Gumutindo Coffee Co-operative in Uganda, who spoke passionately about the difference Fair Trade can make. The Minister delivered a speech celebrating the achievement of Fair Trade Nation status. Martin Rhodes, the Forum’s Director, ended the event by acknowledging the work of Fair Trade campaigners in Scotland and their role in this momentous achievement.

1986 Campaign Coffee Scotland and Greencity Wholefoods jointly organise the first ever Fair Trade conference in Scotland.

Humza Yousaf MSP

Justine Watalunga

Cheryl Sloan

Martin Rhodes

5

annual review 2012/13

‘Scotland’s Going Fair Trade. Are You?’ campaign was launched in February 2012 to gather momentum as we approached our target to announce Fair Trade Nation status. Politicians, parliamentarians and members of the general public were asked to pledge their support by signing and returning a postcard. Around 1,000 postcards were sent in throughout the year from all over Scotland, including from MSPs and MPs. Thanks to everyone who’s contributed and really helped build the momentum for the Fair Trade Nation status achievement.

(L-R): Patrick Harvie MSP (Green), John Lamont MSP (Conservative), Bruce Crawford MSP (SNP), Willie Rennie MSP (Liberal Democrats), Sarah Boyack MSP (Labour)

1987 Equal Exchange brand is launched. 1994 Launch of the

Fairtrade Mark.

Scottish Fair Trade Forum

6

Fairtrade Fortnight 2013This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight kicked off with the announcement of Fair Trade Nation status making it doubly exciting. Some of the producers that visited Scotland this year included:

2002 Aberfeldy and Strathaven become the first Fairtrade Towns in Scotland.

Justine Watalunga, a coffee producer from Uganda, who spoke at the launch event in the Lighthouse, Glasgow. Thanks go to the Fairtrade Foundation for giving us the chance to hear from Justine.

Just Trading Scotland and the Forum co-hosted Howard Msukwa and Henry Kalomba, rice producers from the NASFAM cooperative in Karonga/Lilongwe, Malawi. They were invited to speak at the Cross Party Group on Fair Trade in the Scottish Parliament and engaged with the Enough Food For Everyone – IF Campaign to give the producer perspective.

Tomy Mathew, a food producer from India, who spoke to a number of groups including Musselburgh Fairtrade group, various schools and the COSLA conference.

Taysir Arbasi, Zaytoun Palestinian Director from Salfeet, Palestine, hosted by the Fairtrade Stirling.

Photo: Cupar Fairtrade Town Group

7

annual review 2012/13

The inaugural Fair Trade Lecture was organised by the Forum and hosted at New College, University of Edinburgh. The inaugural lecturer was Research Fellow in the School of Planning and Geography at Cardiff University, Dr Alastair M. Smith. He spoke on “Continuing the legacy of Livingstone: The contribution of Fair Trade to International Development”. A lively panel discussion followed.

Wipa Salabsang and Pimjai Intanan handicraft producers from the Y Development Cooperation Company in Chiangmai, Thailand. Both were highly impressed with the level of awareness and commitment to Fair Trade in Scotland, which was a message of encouragement they were taking home.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 also saw a fundraising comedy night held at the Edinburgh Stand Comedy Club. The evening was hosted by Susan Morrison, who also conducted a short interview with Martin Rhodes, and featured Phil Differ, Bob Doolally and Valdimir McTavish.

2004 University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow become the first two universities to achieve Fairtrade status in Scotland.

Scottish Fair Trade Forum

8

18 local authority areas have achieved

Fairtrade status:Aberdeen

Aberdeenshire

Angus

Clackmannanshire

Dundee

East Dunbartonshire

East Lothian

East Renfrewshire

Edinburgh

Falkirk

Fife

Glasgow

Highland

Midlothian

Renfrewshire

Shetland Islands

South Lanarkshire

West Lothian

A snapshot of a Fair Trade Scotland

9

annual review 2012/13

Communities that have achieved Fairtrade status

Fair Isle Fairlie Falkirk Forfar Glasgow Hamilton Huntly Inverness InverurieIona

Lochwinnoch Longniddry Mid-Formartine Montrose Motherwell Musselburgh North Berwick Oban

Shetland Islands

Prestonpans

Prestwick Queensferry Renfrew Rutherglen Selkirk St Andrews Stirling

Dornoch Dunbar Dundee Dunvegan East Kilbride Edinburgh

Ellon

DunoonDumfries Dunscore

Strathaven

Strathblane & Blanefield Strathpeffer Troon Ullapool Uphall Westray Whitburn Wigtown

2004 Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh are first cities in Scotland to achieve Fair Trade status.

Balfron Balloch Bathgate BishoptonAberdeenAberfeldy Arbroath AyrArranAlford

Brechin Broadford Burntisland Cambuslang Carnoustie

Cupar

Castle DouglasBonnyrigg, Lasswade and Poltonhall

Kilmacolm and Quarriers Kinross-shire Linlithgow Livingston LochgellyKintyre Kirkcudbright

Paisley Papa Westray Peebles and Tweeddale Peterhead and Buchan PortobelloPerth

Scottish Fair Trade Forum

10

Picture perfectQueensferry Fair Trade Group submitted the winning image in last year’s ‘Picture a Fair Trade Scotland Competition’.

The group’s ‘Bridging the World with Fair Trade’ won the panel of judges over particularly as the group’s exuberance shines through. Remarkably, the iconic Forth Rail Bridge in the background has no scaffolding in sight so what perfect timing for the group, who achieved Fairtrade Town status in 2008.

Although the competition is now closed, if anyone would like to submit images of Fair Trade activities, please send them to info@sftf.org.uk.

Tom Morton’s Fairly Long RideBroadcaster and keen amateur cyclist, Tom Morton rode 437 arduous miles in support of the Fair Trade Nation Campaign in summer 2012. Along the route, Tom was impressed with the many active and committed Fair Trade groups he met. People clearly had an enthusiasm for Fair Trade. Initiatives like Tom’s go a long way to enthuse and support campaigners. Martin Meteyard, the Forum’s Chair, presented Tom with a certificate of appreciation at the Belladrum Festival in August, 2012. His contribution meant a great deal to us as we inched ever closer to our own Fair Trade Nation status finish line.

Read Tom’s full account of his journey online: http://mull2muckle.blogspot.co.uk/

2005 The first schools in Scotland achieved Fairtrade status.

11

annual review 2012/13

A good year for Fair Trade nurseriesEast Dunbartonshire became the first local authority in Scotland and the wider UK to launch a Fair Trade Nurseries scheme in 2012. The scheme, which was supported by a Co-operative Community Fund grant, promoted support for Fair Trade across all nurseries in the area.

A Fair Trade Football NationThe Forum worked with Fairpley Ltd to gauge the interest in Fairtrade footballs among local clubs and fans and to raise awareness of working conditions in Sialkot, Pakistan where 70 per cent of the world’s footballs are made. Activities were organised in support, including a friendly kick-about between Humza Yousaf MSP and youngsters from the Quarry Brae Primary School and the Urban Fox programme, from the East End of Glasgow. A Fair Trade five-a-side football tournament was also organised by Neil Bibby MSP in Paisley.

2006 The Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Executive agree a series of criteria for what would constitute a ‘Fair Trade Nation’.

The project was funded by the Big Lottery (Scotland)

Photo: Sylvia Gray

Scottish Fair Trade Forum

12

Producer visits inspire debatesHoward Msukwa, a rice farmer from Karonga, and Henry Kalomba, a Regional Manager from the National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM), visited Scotland in April 2012. The visit was co-organised by the Forum and Just Trading Scotland.

56% of local authority areas have achieved Fairtrade status

During their tour with the Forum, Howard and Henry met with town groups, some of whom were contemplating Fairtrade Town status.

Their presentation explaining the challenges farmers face in Malawi engrossed the audiences. At Dunecht and Echt primary schools in Aberdeenshire, pupils enthusiastically engaged with Howard and Henry and showed off posters they’d made for Fairtrade Fortnight. The visit to Scotland ended with a meeting at the Scottish Parliament chaired by George Adam MSP, Co-Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Fair Trade.

Photo: Just Trading Scotland

2007 The Scottish Fair Trade Forum is established with support from the Scottish Executive and Betsy Reed as its first co-ordinator.

13

annual review 2012/13

Local Groups

2008 Wales declares itself a Fair Trade Nation. 2008 The Scottish Fair Trade Forum becomes a

separate company and registers charitable status.

It’s been wonderful to see the dedication of hundreds of Fair Trade campaigners across the country this year – it is the strength of our movement. They have found creative ways to engage with their local communities. One of the most inspirational campaigners was Fraser Johnston from Larbert, who launched a Fairtrade Town campaign, set up a website and

89 towns in Scotland either have Fairtrade status or have active groups working towards achieving this

social media pages, networked with local media and community organisations and presented to the local Community Council – all at the age of 15! Approximately 40 new campaigning groups were formed during the past year and 17 existing groups were successful in obtaining Fairtrade status:

› Aberdeenshire

› Alford

› Angus

› Arbroath

› Bonnyrigg, Lasswade & Poltonhall

› Carnoustie

› Clackmannanshire

› Dunbar

› Forfar

› Highlands

› Midlothian

› Peterhead and Buchan

› Portobello

› Prestwick

› Renfrew

› South Lanarkshire

› Strathpeffer

Photo: Selkirk Fair Trade group

Scottish Fair Trade Forum

14

Finance 2012/13Incoming resources:Incoming resources from generated funds:Voluntary income: Core grants £155,257 Other grants £10,925 Membership fees and donations £5,912Investment income:Bank interest £91–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Total incoming resources £172,185–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Resources expended:Charitable activities: Staff costs £87,057 Campaign awareness and marketing £20,501 Assessment panel costs £4,735 Producer tours and links £10,982 Events £10,972 Volunteer expenses £5,033 Local groups support £417 Office premises £14,319 Office running costs £8,351 Insurance £478 Miscellaneous expenses £425 Professional support costs £793 Depreciation £906Fundraising costs: Fundraising – website and training £131Governance costs £1,548–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Total resources expended £166,648–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

81% of a representative sample of the population of Scotland report they have heard of Fair Trade in polling undertaken in 2012

2011 Forth Valley College is first college in Scotland to be awarded Fairtrade status.

15

annual review 2012/13

Board members

2013 Fair Trade Nation status for Scotland achieved on 25 February.

Martin Meteyard (Chair)Rachel Farey (Vice Chair)Robin Stewart (Vice Chair)Tracy Mitchell (Treasurer)Graeme ClarkLiz CottonJenny FaussetSylvia GrayLinda Griffiths (until 09/2012)Annie Howie (from 09/2012)Hilary MackayMartin Stepek (until 09/2012)Bruce Stuart

The Scottish Fair Trade Forum’s Board of Trustees is elected by members from four membership categories – small, medium and large businesses and organisations, and individuals. Our Board represents local Fair Trade groups, businesses, NGOs, organisations and individual campaigners from around Scotland. They all work on a voluntary basis, and bring a range of skills and experience to the work of the Forum.

The Forum is grateful to its volunteers over the past year:

Amy Marshall • Andrew Strachan • Angela Oakley • Chao (Alex) Geng • Charles Fulton • Charlie Crerar • Claire Pecot • Elizabeth Barrett • Emma Alken • Frank Geoghegan-Quinn • Gwen Hardy • Helen Twigg • Hisashi Kuboyama • Johanna Inkinen • John Thompson • Lorraine Welsh • Margo Sabella-Marshall • Mariana White • Martina Foniokova • Natalie Reading • Nicola Jamieson • Paula Wills • Rebecca Leach • Richard Skone-James • Robert Ratcliffe • Robin Dyet • Sarah Aldred • Sepideh Kiarsi • Thomas Trimaille

78% of a representative sample of the population reported they buy Fair Trade products at least once a year

62% of a representative sample of the population reported they regularly buy Fair Trade products at least once a month

Get Involved with Fair Trade in Scotland

Why get involved: The Scottish Fair Trade Forum works to help make Scotland a nation which is a global leader in challenging global poverty and recognises the dignity and rights of producers through a commitment to fairness in international trading.

If you’re interested in getting involved, here’s how:

› Buy Fair Trade – think about replacing regular items you buy with Fair Trade ones

› Speak to local business about why Fair Trade can be good for profits

› Speak to local community leaders to encourage wider use of Fair Trade

› Put on an event to engage the public

› Generate publicity – tell us an inspirational story about a Fair Trade shop or campaigner you know

› Form a Fair Trade Group and join other campaigners

› Campaign for trade justice to secure fair deals for producers

If you’d like to receive more information, contact us and we will be happy to help. Let us know if you would also like to be included on our mailing list to receive our regular e-newsletter, information about Fairtrade Fortnight activities and other events.

Email: info@sftf.org.uk, for general enquiries and to ask to be added to our mailing list to get our regular e-newsletter.

Scottish Fair Trade Forum Thistle Court, 1-2 Thistle Street Edinburgh EH2 1DD

Phone: 0131 226 6162 Website: www.sftf.org.uk Twitter: @FairTradeNation Facebook: www.facebook.com/FairTradeNation

Supported by