The University was the overall, gold winner of the Best Fairtrade University category at the 2019 South West Fairtrade Business Awards.
The awards, which are now in their seventh year, took place on Friday 8 March in Bristol.
The event recognises organisations of all sizes throughout the region, who sell or purchase Fairtrade certified products and promote Fairtrade campaigns and values.
Judges of the Best Fairtrade University or College category looked at:
- The wide range of over 250 Fairtrade products that we use and sell
- How we communicate Fairtrade messages
- How we support Fairtrade throughout the University
How we support Fairtrade events and campaigns. Just a few of the activities that took place during this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight included:
- Fairtrade film, games and cookery session with children at Westwood nursery
- A talk from a Fairtrade producer visiting from Nicaragua
- Fairtrade freebies on social media and at stalls on the Parade
- Students experiencing a Fairtrade coffee farm in Kenya using virtual reality headsets
The Fairtrade Foundation commented, “This was such a hard fought category, but what made University of Bath stand out was the commitment to Fairtrade education and engagement across all sectors of the Uni.
As well as stocking and using an incredibly wide range of Fairtrade products, they have a Fairtrade Steering Group from right across the academic and senior staff team, as well as their own Fairtrade Co-ordinator, ensuring Fairtrade is really embedded in the life of the University.
They organised and funded a two day Fairtrade producer visit, aiming to get the Fairtrade message to as many students and staff as possible. Impressive stuff.”