Runner up the valley
Holme Valley Fairtrade was named runner-up at the Annual Fairtrade Campaign Awards. The group was awarded second place for Best Media Campaign at the Fairtrade Foundation’s National Supporter Conference in London last weekend.
The group was recognised for their commitment to raising awareness about the principles and values of Fairtrade in their local community during Fairtrade Fortnight 2015, a highlighted campaign for the grassroots movement in the UK.
During Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 Holme Valley Fairtrade members, Social Progress displayed a 5ft inflatable Fairtrade Banana and Mug of Fairtrade Tea outside their Honley Bridge Office. Within 48 hours the banana went missing so they launched the “#MissingBanana” campaign. Through the various channels of social media and a few tongue-in-cheek posters, they called upon the help of the locals as well as Honley High School. Within another 48 hours students from the school spotted the banana in the river! The campaign was an opportunity to turn something negative into something positive. We’re pleased to say that it helped to raise the profile of Fairtrade and Fairtrade Fortnight through the use of the hashtags #FairtradeFortnight and #FairtradeMatters on social media – and the story reached the local press too!
On receiving the award, Helen Robinson from the Holme Valley Fairtrade group said: “We are so proud and excited to be runners up for the award – so much so that you’d think we came first! The best thing to come out of the #MissingBanana campaign is a new partnership with the High School, we’re looking forward to working together in Fairtrade Fortnight 2016, and maybe actually WIN next year!”
Adam Gardner, Communities Campaigns Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We are very grateful to the Holme Valley Fairtrade Group for their valuable support to farmers and workers around the globe who are continuously working hard to bring us the products we love. All too often these communities are not receiving a fair price for their work, but campaigners from the Holme Valley have shown their dedication to this cause. It’s so important for communities to get involved and let their voice be heard.
“Thanks to the ongoing support of campaigners and businesses around the UK, including campaigners from the Holme Valley Fairtrade today reaches millions of vulnerable farmers and workers in over 70 countries.”
The one day conference in London brought together campaigners from across the UK, Fairtrade producers and experts in global development. The day featured a sneak peek into the Fairtrade Foundation’s 2016-2020 strategy, innovative and informative workshops and the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight 2016, among many other items.
Fairtrade has paved the way for sustainable trading by providing a safety net for world’s poorest farmers against volatile market prices, and the Fairtrade Premium to invest in vital community, business and environmental projects.
The UK has one of the most powerful networks of Fairtrade campaigners in the world, including over 600 Fairtrade Towns, 1350 Fairtrade Schools and 170 Fairtrade Universities, and 7,500 Fairtrade places of worship.
