BRISTOL WINS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Bristol has won the Outstanding Achievement Award in this year's Fairtrade Fortnight Awards. We came top in all 3 categories we entered and the judges said we were head and shoulders above other towns and cities in the way we strategically targeted our audience, brought together such a range of partners and attracted huge amounts of media coverage.

The award confirms Bristol as the leading Fairtrade City in the UK, with events such as the Fairwear Fashion Show and Cotton On, and the Fairtrade Purchasing Guide being replicated by other Fairtrade groups around the world.

The Fairtrade Foundation in giving the Award said:

‘Congratulations to everyone in the Bristol Fairtrade Network on a fantastic campaign, and well deserved achievement. For a number of years Fairtrade campaigners in Bristol have built cross-community partnerships, and organized high profile and engaging events to raise awareness of Fairtrade and offer ways for individuals to take action for fairer trade. It’s this type of dedicated community action that has propelled Fairtrade to the UK mainstream, and continues to make a real difference to the lives of producer communities in some of the poorest countries around the world.’

Bristol Fairtrade Co-ordinator, Jenny Foster, is delighted by this recognition of Bristol’s Fairtrade Fortnight output and commented

‘Our events are successful because we partner with so many different organisations and companies around the City. Fairtrade is becoming embedded into Bristol schools, businesses and community groups because it is not only ethical and sustainable but makes good sense. People in Bristol want to trade fairly and to see the difference their purchasing choices can make. We want to recognise the role the local Council and media have played in promoting Fairtrade and helping us win this award.’

The awards, sponsored by the Co-operative Group, celebrate the achievements and creativity of Fairtrade campaigners and supporters during the annual two-week Fairtrade Fortnight campaign, this year held from 28^th February – 13^th March 2011.

Fairtrade Fortnight is promoted by networks around the country including businesses, charities, student groups, churches and other faith-based organisations. Thousands of people organized events all over the country to raise awareness of Fairtrade, and the impact choosing products with the FAIRTRADE Mark has on farming communities in less developed countries.

The Award will be presented to the Bristol Fairtrade Network by Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, at the national Fairtrade Supporters Conference in Birmingham in October.

For more information on Fairtrade in Bristol visit www.bristolfairtrade.org.uk

For more details on this story contact:

Jenny Foster, Bristol Fairtrade Co-ordinator 07970-878337

Christine Storry, Bristol City Council, 0117-922-4336

Adam Gardner, Fairtrade Foundation