Fair trade is an arrangement designed to help producers in growing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. At the University we are committed to purchasing in a way that benefits the communities and economies of producers, and so have a number of initiatives to help us achieve this.

We continue to uphold our Fairtrade status since June 2021, which demonstrates our achievements in making positive changes to support fair trade. 

What are we doing

We have been working to meet the five goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation using a SMART Plan (PDF, 221kB) to achieve Fairtrade status. These include:

• Fairtrade Policy 2024 (PDF, 145kB)
• Stocking and promoting Fairtrade goods across the University (such as all stationery by Lyreco)
• Using Fairtrade products at University and Students' Union meetings
• Organising fair trade campaigns
• Establishing a fair trade steering group. 

What can you do 

• Make conscious purchasing decisions and look out for the various Fairtrade labels that are used to certify Fairtrade products Fair Trade schemes (PDF, 200kB)
• Get involved with campaigns like Fairtrade Fortnight 
• Engage in the purchasing process and start discussions with our Sustainability and Procurement teams.

Fairtrade engagement

Our recent Fairtrade engagement activities included a Fairtrade banana giveaway at Hiatt Baker Hub, a competition to win a Fairtrade tote bag of Fairtrade goodies, our 'Fairtrade Sustainability Cafe' event as part of Green Week and lots more.

If you would like to help spread the word about Fairtrade on campus, please contact sustainability-comms@bristol.ac.uk. 

Fairtrade University Award Audits - Volunteers needed!

Become an auditor for the Fairtrade University & College Award and help us monitor our progress towards Fairtrade University status!  

Volunteer auditors conduct an audit of the university to review the efforts to embed and promote Fairtrade and wider ethical consumption. You will receive full training via Zoom, delivered by SOS-UK and the Fairtrade Foundation, where you will learn about trade justice issues and how they apply to the University, as well as develop professional and analytical skills. You will learn how to conduct an audit, and then get the opportunity to conduct the audit of the university with other volunteer auditors.  

The Zoom training and the audits will take place over two days. This is an 8-hour commitment - you will need to be available for the full two days to take part: 

• Wednesday 30 April, 10 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 3pm 

• Thursday 1 May, 10 to 12 pm and 1 pm to 3 pm 

Find out more and apply through the short form here, on or before the deadline of Wednesday 16 April. You will hear back from us, if chosen, by 21 April.