City of Saarlouis granted Fairtrade status once more
Saarlouis Becomes a Fairtrade Town: A Commitment to Global Fairness
Saarlouis, a city in the Saarland region, has been recognised as one of the first municipalities in the area to achieve the status of a Fairtrade Town. This title has been held by the city since 2011, and it continues to be one of over 900 Fairtrade Towns in Germany.
The Fairtrade Town campaign aims to enable fair working conditions for producers in the global South. To become a Fairtrade Town, a city must meet five key criteria: the city council must pass a resolution in support of fair trade, a local Fairtrade steering group must be formed to coordinate activities, fair trade products must be readily available in shops and restaurants, educational activities about fair trade must be carried out in the community, and regular media coverage must promote the town’s Fairtrade activities.
In Saarlouis, the steering group includes representatives from the city administration, churches, schools, and local businesses. This group coordinates measures locally and ensures long-term maintenance of standards. The city council's commitment to fair production conditions and sustainable consumption can be traced back to 2009, when it made a commitment to these principles.
The city council's decision was followed by the establishment of a steering group, which has worked diligently to meet the five required criteria of the Fairtrade Town campaign in the current evaluation round. As a result, Saarlouis has been officially recognised as a Fairtrade Town.
Mayor Marc Speicher acknowledges that Saarlouis cannot change the whole world, but believes that every individual and small city can contribute to fair trade and sustainable consumption. He also acknowledges the positive impact of the citizen volunteers who work tirelessly for the cause.
The benefits of becoming a Fairtrade Town are numerous. For the city, it strengthens community engagement through educational events and local steering groups, enhances its reputation for commitment to social and environmental responsibility, and integrates sustainability into municipal procurement policies. For global producers, it ensures protection against exploitative child labor, promotes sustainable, organic, and climate-friendly production, and increases demand for fair trade products driven by consumer awareness in Fairtrade Towns.
The network of Fairtrade Towns spans across various countries, including the UK, Sweden, Brazil, and Lebanon. Worldwide, the Fairtrade Town network includes over 2,000 cities in 36 countries. Saarlouis is proud to be a part of this international network, contributing to global fairness and sustainability.
Mayor Speicher reiterates the city's commitment to fair working and living conditions for producers in the global South, and emphasises the city's continued efforts to maintain its status as a Fairtrade Town. The award for being a Fairtrade Town has been extended for another two years, reflecting the city's dedication to this cause.
For more information about the Fairtrade Town initiative, visit www.fairtrade-towns.de.
[1] Source: Fairtrade International and various city council reports.
"Striving to expand their commitment to fair trade, the steering group in Saarlouis has now set its sights on promoting sustainable living within the community, aiming to create a 'Fairtrade Home-and-Garden' initiative, where households choose eco-friendly and ethically sourced products for their household and gardening needs, aligning with the principles of sustainable-living."
"With the successful establishment of the 'Fairtrade Home-and-Garden' initiative, Saarlouis aspires to become a model for other Fairtrade Towns, demonstrating that sustainable living can be integrated into everyday life, promoting global fairness, and ensuring a lifestyle that benefits both people and the planet."
