Nenagh, Co Tipperary, Eire
Fairtrade Town
Population: 7,415
Declaration date: May 2009
www.nenaghfairtrade.org

Although some retail traders were already selling Fairtrade products in Nenagh the genesis for the Fairtrade Town campaign started in the local schools.  As part of their Civic, Social and Political Education course (CSPE) students were encouraged to develop their understanding of their community, their society and the wider world and this involved learning about Fairtrade, its concept, practical application and objectives.  Fairtrade groups were formed in the CBS and the Convent of Mercy schools who together with teachers organised Fairtrade events in the schools.  In early 2007, members of Thurles Fairtrade Group ( a neighboring community) met with interested people in Nenagh, including teachers and students from the schools and out of that came a Fairtrade group for the town made up of church representatives, businesses, other community groups, interested individuals and supported by the Town Council.   The support provided by local religious and secular groups is crucial to the campaign.  All committee meetings have been held in venues provided by the local Church of Ireland and Catholic Church.  Students and indeed past pupils, remain active in the committee, continuing the strong link between the Fairtrade Committee and local schools that was present from the beginning.

The campaign reaches the community through:
•    Media articles about Fairtrade and the activities of the Fairtrade Town campaign in both local weekly papers – Nenagh Guardian and Tipperary Star.
•    Inserts in church newsletters.
•    Presentations to different groups eg IFA with Thurles, class presentations in primary and secondary schools both to students and also to staff.
•    Stands and displays at various local exhibitions and events – eg Nenagh Craft Fair, Nenagh Agriculture Show and Nenagh Country Market.
•    Regular free competitions to win a Fairtrade hampers at Christmas and Easter.
•    The campaign reaches schools through meetings between steering group members and principals and CSP teachers
•    High profile campaign during Fairtrade Fortnight culminating in major event involving a visit from a Fairtrade producer.
•    Fairtrade Website developed and launched at a public event
•    Fairtrade Guide to Nenagh produced

The campaign reaches businesses through:
•    General awareness raising through the above
•    Follow up to individual businesses to promote Fairtrade
•    Invitations to businesses to Fairtrade events
•    Provide businesses with Fairtrade posters literature and posters
•    Ensure media coverage including photographs of businesses who switch to Fairtrade so they get good publicity and other businesses are encouraged to join the campaign

Top Tips
•    Seek to develop good relationships with key organizations and people, for example local media, local authority both executive and elected representatives.
•    In working with teachers try to identify teachers who are positive to Fairtrade – these may not always be teachers working in a related subject (geography or citizenship) but other teachers with a personal interest.
•    Fairtrade is a ‘good news’ message and will generally be well received.
•    When starting, a community based approach is a huge advantage – try to ensure a broad based representation from schools, other community organizations and religious groups. When approaching people try to ensure that they are positive to the Fairtrade ethos, not only focused on ‘getting Fairtrade status’.
•    At the start, focus on raising awareness about Fairtrade through media articles, church newsletters and Fairtrade stands at various events.  Meeting the criteria to be awarded Fairtrade Town status would be an important milestone in the continuing campaign to promote Fairtrade at local level but only in the context of raising greater awareness and understanding. Getting Fairtrade Town status is a campaign tool to help more people understand and support Fairtrade
•    The Group needs to be familiar and knowledgeable about Fairtrade, especially when speaking to businesses.
•    The Group needs to remain motivated and celebrate ‘successes’, for example e.g. good articles, stands especially in the absence of businesses switching to Fairtrade.
•    A serious Fairtrade event with a visiting producer can be a great boost to a group, reassuring and motivating.
•    Be reasonable with expectations – businesses will not become Fairtrade overnight.  When approaching businesses know the message and make sure you know how they can switch to Fairtrade. Take information about local suppliers of Fairtrade products.
•    Be diplomatic in dealing with businesses, press and other groups. Not everyone may be as enthusiastic or aware of Fairtrade.  Some businesses may have more pressing priorities.  Some that we approached are no longer in business.
•    Draw up achievable plans and assign people to different tasks within a group – set short term achievable objectives that fit into an overall longer term plan.  This helps to keep a clear focus and as each short term objective is achieved it should strengthen the commitment and motivation of the central steering committee.
•    Exploit opportunities to raise awareness – local papers, newsletters, craft fairs and other community gatherings etc.
•    Showcase products – most people have some awareness of Fairtrade teas and coffees, but having a display showing a range of other products available locally heightens awareness and helps generate demand.
•    Website and brochures can be very good projects for the group and help in raising awareness.
•    Work with other local towns.
•    Liaise with Fairtrade HQ – they are a great source of information and are very helpful.
•    Identifying a supplier and letting them have a contact in shops can yield results – we used this approach with Kinsale Distribution.
•    Be patient – businesses are slow to change and may have other priorities.
•    Focus on promoting Fairtrade not ‘getting Fairtrade town status’.