What you can do

Welcome to the Fair Trade 'Can Do' Section, full of easy things that people can do to help make Scotland a Fair Trade Nation. These 'can dos' have been put together by experienced campaigners, and give an insight into some of the things that can be done to help.

Things you can do:

 

  • Put a Fair Trade product in your basket when you shop. From coffee to clothing, there are lots of high quality items which you can get from a wide range of stores.
  • Make mine Fair Trade. Be proud to ask for a Fair Trade product when you're at a cafe or restaurant. The more you ask for Fair Trade products, the more retailers will want to give you them.
  • Tell your friends and family about it. You can be a positive influence on those around you- let them share in your passion.
  • Join the movement; sign up online. You don't need to be a seasoned campaigner to be involved- your efforts and your opinions count, so make your voice be heard. Email us to ask how you can join the Forum as a member and become a part of the goal to make Scotland a Fair Trade Nation. 
  • Support your local Fair Trade group. They might be organising local events, stalls and activities and may appreciate an extra pair of hands.
  • Become a Traidcraft representative. Buy and sell Fairtrade goods and run a stall in your place of work or worship. Go to http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/get_involved/  to find out more.

 

Things your company can do:

 

  • Become a Fair Trade Workplace. Your company or workplace can gain Fair Trade status-every year more and more obtain it.
  • Make ours Fair Trade. Find out where your company regularly purchases its supplies, and ask them what Fair Trade products they can offer you. If they don't have any, let them know there are others who do!
  • Fair Trade events. Get Fair Trade products on the agenda when putting together an event. While there's much more than coffee out there, if you can put Fair Trade coffee out at a meeting it's a good start.
  • Tell your Partners about it. Companies you trade with or share practice with may not know a great deal about Fair Trade. Show them how smart your company is by telling them about the benefits it brings to your organisation.
  • Make it official. Policy can be a bit daunting, but there's lots of guidance on how you can get your company to make a formal and realistic commitment supporting Fair Trade.
  • Join the Movement. Sign up. Whether you’re a large or small company, be aware that others are at it to! Find out how easy it is to join as a company member of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, and what the benefits are for both your company and some of the world's poorest people.

 

Things your School can do:

 

  • Register to become a Fair  Trade School. Get all the support, resources and ideas you’ll need to become an officially recognized Fair Trade School at www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools.
  • Get support. Contact SCIAF at www.sciafyouth.org.uk to get advice and to find out about school speakers, workshops and resources.
  • Raise awareness. Organize Fair Trade events, shows and stalls and spread the message at parent nights as well as at assemblies.
  • Get in touch with your local authority. Ask them about their commitment to Fair Trade products and about their plans to introduce them into school vending machines, canteens and fruit schemes.
  • Get your local business partners on board. Ask them to consider our tips from the ‘What your company can do’ section.

 

If you have a "Can Do" that you'd like to have posted on this site, please email it to us at info@sftf.org.uk with the subject line 'Can Do.'