Middlesbrough became a Fairtrade Town in March 2007 and each year we have to renew our Fairtrade status.  Maintaining our status involves ensuring that we have at least 28 retail and 14 catering outlets selling at least two Fairtrade products.  It also requires us to have good support from businesses, community organisations, the voluntary sector and schools for our campaign. 

Thank you for considering becoming a Fairtrade Partner.  Fairtrade Partners are given a certificate and window sticker and are also included in our database which is available on the Middlesbrough Fairtrade Town web site.  Completing this form is intended to be straight forward and not take more than a couple of minutes.  If you need any help, then please contact the Fairtrade Officer at Middlesbrough Environment City on 01642 811300.

The criteria to be a Fairtrade Partner depend upon the type of organisation you are. 

All organisations are asked to have their commitment to Fairtrade confirmed at a senior level.  This may be for example a management committee, board of directors or parochial church council.  In addition, there are specific requirements for different types of organisation.

 Retail and catering outlets:

• Stock at least two different products carrying the Fairtrade Mark.

 Public sector organisations:

• Show commitment of the Management Board at the highest level to Fairtrade through passing a resolution supporting Fairtrade
• Provide Fairtrade tea and coffee at all meetings where refreshments are served
• Provide at least two Fairtrade products in all catering outlets run by the organisation, including vending machines, staff cafeterias etc

 Private businesses (not retail/catering):

• Provide Fairtrade tea and coffee at all meetings where refreshments are served
• Offer visitors and guests Fairtrade refreshments, where these are usually made available

Constituted Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations:

• Offer at least two Fairtrade products to visitors and at meetings

• Provide at least two Fairtrade products in any catering or retail outlets

Unconstituted community groups:

• Offer at least two Fairtrade products to visitors and at meetings

Schools:

A Fairtrade Schools programme is available, click here to find out more. You do not need to be a Fairtrade School to be a Fairtrade Partner in Middlesbrough, although we would hope that you will work towards it when joining the campaign. However we would like to see schools:

A Fairtrade Schools programme is available, click here to find out more.  You do not need to be a Fairtrade School to be a Fairtrade Partner in Middlesbrough, although we would hope that you will work towards it when joining the campaign.  However, we would like to see schools:

• Show commitment to Fairtrade by the Governors passing a resolution supporting Fairtrade
• Provide Fairtrade tea and coffee at all meetings where refreshments are served
• Provide visitors with at least two Fairtrade alternatives when providing refreshments
• Provide at least two Fairtrade products in all catering outlets run by the organisation, including vending machines, students refreshment provision etc
• See Fairtrade activities integrated into the National Curriculum

All Fairtrade Partners are asked to display their certificate and window sticker prominently.

In addition to these basic criteria, we also encourage all Fairtrade Partners to promote Fairtrade for example through promotional campaigns, supporting other Fairtrade events in Middlesbrough and participating in the annual Fairtrade Fortnight.   

In order to make becoming a Fairtrade Partner as simple as possible, a form is available by clicking the links below.  This shouldn’t take long to complete and can be returned by either email or post. We look forward to welcoming you as a Partner in Middlesbrough’s Fairtrade Town campaign.

Click here to download the Middlesbrough Fairtrade partner guidance notes

Click here to download the Middlesbrough Fairtrade application form