At your University

How does it work?

Any college or university can be designated a Fair Trade Campus once it has met a series of standards that fall within three distinct categories:

Availability standards focus on the Fair Trade products that can be found on campus. Some are very specific and measurable, setting clear targets for particular products, whereas others are more open and challenge the university push beyond the more specific standards.

One important thing to know is that the availability standards only apply to products purchased by the university/college and the students' association. They don't apply to independent businesses (unless they've been hired to provide catering services), individual departments, student clubs, etc. The reason for this is simple. By seeking Fair Trade Campus status, a university or college is making a commitment to support Fair Trade and, just like with us, this begins with changing our own behaviors.

Visibility criteria are all about ideas - introducing people to the concept of Fair Trade, and providing them with opportunities to find it, learn about it, and discuss it. As with the availability standards, the visibility criteria have both specific targets and more open-ended requirements to allow each campus to express its own creativity.

Committee requirements are simply about keeping the momentum going. They formally bring together members of a Fair Trade Campus community to ensure the standards continue to be met and, more importantly, so each Fair Trade Campus can decide how they will go beyond them.

How to apply:

Once a college or university has met the standards, a representative of the newly formed committee need only contact us, formally apply, and provide supporting documentation.

To get the ball rolling, or just to ask questions, you can contact Fairtrade Canada at communication@fairtrade.ca .