Schools, colleges,other educational establishments, youth groups

Welcome to the Education Resource pages at The Fair Traders Cooperative.

Based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, we are a co-operative of over 500 members dedicated to fair trade. We know many schools are committed to fair trade so please use our web site for information about fair trade campaigns, events and unique sustainability assessments of amazing fair trade products and suppliers. These show the impact fair trade has on the life chances of children in other countries, and on their local environment.

You can contact us to organise an individual or group visit to The Fair Traders Cooperative in West Yorkshire, or subsribe to our regular Education Fair Trade Newslett er by sending an email to info@thefairtraderscooperative.co.uk.We have a range of themed fair trade packs especially designed to support schools fair trade teaching and enterprise learning. Click to see thefair trade education packs.

A group of volunteers, all with education backgrounds, has produced an information leaflet for schools and Academies - 'Education and The Fair Traders Co-operative'(click to view). This includes ideas on how to make best use of The Fair Traders Co-operative - to reach or maintain Fairtrade School Goals, and the relevance of co-operative values.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2012

To focus on the Fairtrade Foundation's, Fairtrade Fortnight campaign for 2012 (28th February-13th March), we will be 'taking a step for fair trade with a fair trade football' and are inviting schools and youth groups to get involved by doing the 'keepy uppy challenge' For more information visit the Fairtrade Fornight pageand to read more about the Keepy Uppy Challenge for schools clickhere.

Read the amazing stories behind the lives of Fairtrade football stitchers and Fairtrade rubber tappers.

• Fairtrade Football Stories - Secondary Level
• Fairtrade Football Stories - Primary Level
• Fairtrade Football Stories - Plain text, no images version

Click here for a copy of our latest Education Fair Trade newsletter.

Other ways to get involved

Why not join as a corporate member and develop your involvement in supporting fair trade? Schools, Youth Groups, Universities and Colleges can become corporate members and help choose suppliers, contribute to the assessment process, and receive dividend points for purchases. Helping develop fair trade is educational, fun, and can make a real difference to both our lives, and the lives of others less fortunate than us.

There are great resources available from both The Cooperative College and The Fair Trade Foundation and if you want to get involved in trading we can help.

Progression in Fair Trading for colleges, schools and youth groups

1. Form a Young Co-operative for those interested in Fair trade (enquiries to The CooperativeCollege enquiries@youngco-operatives.coop.Resources available at www.youngco-operatives.coop)

• young people take control of their own business
• selecting and pricing stock, researching markets, devising promotional materials, cash management and so on
• some Young Cooperatives produce a business plan to set the agenda for their future development
• through Young Cooperatives young people learn to work with one another. Each member has an equal stake in the business and an equal opportunity to contribute and make decisions. They run their own meetings and learn about the wider cooperative movement.
• the businesses established as Young Cooperatives often focus on supporting Fair Trade and developing awareness of how this can help to alleviate poverty in the world

2. Consider becoming a Fairtrade School/College/University and explore the Cooperative School model

• means the school gets local and national recognition
• supports lots of other initiatives (such as Eco-Schools, International Schools, Healthy Schools and 'Determined to Succeed' (Scotland)
• provides opportunities to enhance many areas of the curriculum and explore citizenship from a global perspective
• gives pupils an opportunity to participate and take responsibility for their decisions
• encourages critical thinking, and offers opportunities for challenge and confidence building
• contributes to 'Every Child Matters' and 'Education for Sustainable Development' (England and Wales), the 'Curriculum for Excellence' and 'Education for Citizenship' (Scotland) and 'Global Citizenship' (Wales)

3. Begin trading-become a member and obtain starter pack from The Fair Traders Cooperative (info@thefairtraderscooperative.co.uk)

• wide range of products-extends trading potential
• every product is systematically assessed in terms of sustainability-social, environmental and economic impacts. Potential links with business studies, geography, RPSE, etc
• small quantities available
• member access to interactive website

4. Establish links with the developing country supplier community or Young Cooperative

• The Fair Traders Cooperative supplier network covers every continent and culture-link with area relevant to local history/culture
• establish joint projects
• exchange correspondence and visits

5. Expand trade by working with suppliers and The Fair Traders Cooperative on design, marketing, and distribution for the UK market

• many products require adaptation to make them successful in the European market but small producers lack the marketing, design and distribution required to achieve this. Schools, Colleges, and youth Groups can contribute here by working with the Fair Traders Cooperative and UK partner companies on new designs, market research, etc
• provides a good foundation for establishing a business to commercialise the idea

6. Start up a UK Business in partnership with the supplier and, if required, UK company

• the Fair Traders Cooperative can suggest possible structures and signpost potential funders and other sources of assistance
• we are working with a number of pioneering UK companies who are supportive of ventures jointly owned by developing world small producers
• the Fair Traders Cooperative can provide business advice and an initial market for the product via our website and shop, and by introduction to our retail partners (other Fair trade shops and retail co-operatives)
• scope for those leaving education to gain business experience
• opportunities to link with local businesses and communities