Groningen
The Netherlands first Fairtrade Gemeente
Population: 184,500
Declaration date: 9th March 2009
Groningen Fairtrade Gemeente

In 2006 the residents of Groningen suggested that their town should become a Fairtrade Town during a public meeting organized by the council to provide input into the local council programme for 2006-2010. Groen Links (democratic Left Green Party) embraced the initiative and put it onto the local political agenda. The council provided officers and funding for the campaign and a steering group was set up.

The campaign is run by a local Fairtrade steering committee group chaired by a local council official with representatives from local government, the local Fairtrade shop, the Chamber of Commerce, the Groninger City Club, the Local Platform of Socially Responsible Entrepreneurs, the Centre Development Corporation (COS), Horeca North Netherlands (hotels, restaurants and pubs), Rabobank (a Dutch cooperative banking institution with offices all over the world, although primarily in the Netherlands) and the MKB (Middle and Small Businesses).

The many representatives on the steering group have enabled the group to broaden its network. The campaign started with a so called zero-metering. Three students carried out an investigation (surveys and visits to businesses) to find out how many organizations and businesses they had to approach in order to achieve Fairtrade Town status. Businesses are encouraged to sell Fairtrade products through network meetings, trade fairs, advertising, public relations etc and, on the other hand, consumers are encouraged to buy Fairtrade products by using flyers, the local media such as the press and television and the website.  Businesses and organizations are also encouraged to use Fairtrade products on the premises and the steering group is attempting to get Fairtrade articles into their own publications and on their websites. The Mayor or Alderman and successful Fairtrade businesses act as Fairtrade ambassadors.  Events such as a High Tea and meetings for businesspeople are arranged and visits made to ask and check if they sell Fairtrade products. Fairtrade is visible at several great local events and festivals and always a part of sustainability.

In 2009 the focus is to reach schools in Groningen by bringing Fairtrade into popular local events and festivals e.g. the two week long Music Festival Noorderzon held in August each year and the KEI-week, the initiation for 5,000 new students in Groningen each year. A new phenomenon in 2009 is the Sustainability Market where again Fairtrade forms a part. The Fairtrade steering group received 2,500 Euros to celebrate becoming a Fairtrade Town. This money was used to develop an educational Fairtrade programme for schools. Schools are also encouraged to become a Fairtrade school and it is hoped that the first Fairtrade School will be declared in 2009.

Top Tips
•    Give Fairtrade as much attention in the media as you can.
•    Make Fairtrade visible by using the Fairtrade logo wherever you can. In Groningen June 2009 Fairtrade Gemeente road signs will be erected to celebrate Fairtrade status.
•    Meet young people, they have an open mind and fresh ideas.
•    Make personal contact with businesspeople, this is better than sending letters or leaflets. Be practical, businesspeople are busy people and have little time available so keep contacts short.
•    Have Fairtrade ambassadors (like our town mayor)
•    Involve the local council. In Holland Fairtrade campaigns are successful where it is a political issue. It is very difficult to run a Fairtrade campaign without council support as it costs too much time and money and volunteers can be discouraged.
•    Take each step at a time and spread the word by using the power of face to face communication.
•    Don’t be a moralist.
•    Above all: show all your enthusiasm! Be a good model for Fairtrade supporters