We wish to operate a small grants scheme for schools so they can celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight in September/October. We ran this in 2023 and it was very successful, in fact it was oversubscribed. The schools are able to purchase Fairtrade goods, invite parents and members of the community and promote Fair Trade. As well as benefitting producers through increased Fairtrade sales, this promotion helps Dundee to maintain its Fairtrade Community status.

Requestee

Dundee Fair Trade Forum

Location

North East Ward

Contractor Evidence of Completion

Robertson Tayside selected a project proposed by Dundee Fair-Trade Forum, when selecting their community wish in relation to their Barnhill Phase 4 Small Works Contract. The Fair-Trade Forum Dundee had asked for sponsorship of £500 to help them repeat a previous small grants project they had run in Dundee schools in 2023 to help celebrate Fair Trade Fortnight. Robertsons were so impressed by their proposal that they agreed to provide £1,000 in sponsorship to run the 2025 programme which was also supported by Scotmid. Fairtrade Fortnight 2025 took place between 22 September to 5 October 2025. Primary, secondary, college and youth groups were invited to apply for grants of £50 for Primary and youth groups and £50 plus £50 in Scotmid Vouchers for secondary schools and colleges and universities. Seven Schools participated including Sidlaw View Primary, Harris Academy and St Paul’s. Sally Romily, Secretary of the Fair-Trade Forum said: ‘The message of this project was that making a small switch to Fair Trade supports farmers and producers in protecting the future of some of our most loved food and the planet, we are thankful to Robertsons and Scotmid for supporting us to run this initiative’. A wide range of activities including Fair Trade Themed Scavenger Hunts and a Quiz at Harris Academy, Fair Trade Learning weeks linked to the United Nation Development goals and arrange of fair-trade taster sessions and tuck shops. The financial donation provided by Robertson will also allow the forum to run the project in 2026.