Sauda - Norway’s first Fairtrade-kommune
Population: 4,800
Declaration date: 23rd August 2006
Sauda Fairtrade-kommune

The campaign started as a result of a seminar in Oslo in March 2006, which was jointly arranged by Stiftelsen Idebanken and Fairtrade Max Havelaar Norway. The seminar explored whether Norway was ready to start a Fairtrade Town campaign. Bruce Crowther had come from England to tell the story of Garstang and the UK Fairtrade Towns initiative. Ståle Pedersen representing the municipality of Sauda at the seminar was so inspired that he returned to Sauda and started the campaign to make it the first Fairtrade-kommune in Norway, which was a success.

The Sauda campaign is run by a large steering group (17 members at the time of writing) that represents all sectors within the community i.e. the local authority, the church, trade unions, farmers, teachers, a retailer, a hotel manager etc. A large group makes it easier to designate various tasks. The steering group organises many different activities such as:
•    stalls in shops, markets and festivals etc.,
•    articles in the local and regional press,
•    mailing information leaflets in Sauda,
•    meetings at schools,
•    meetings with other community organisations such as trade unions, sports clubs, pensioner groups, relief operations/organizations etc.
•    arranging the national conference of Fairtrade and ethical trade which is the biggest event.

Top Tip:
It is important to have committed volunteers who are prepared to really get involved and give time and energy to the campaign.