2019 WINNER AND SPECIAL MENTIONS
Ghent: EU City for Fair and Ethical Trade 2019
The EU Cities for Fair and Ethical Trade Award recognizes cities that have implemented outstanding policies and initiatives to promote fair and ethical trade.
The city of Ghent was the overall Award winner in 2018 and was awarded the title of “EU City for Fair and Ethical Trade 2019“. Ghent convinced the jury with its all-encompassing city strategy that involves consumers, businesses and the international community. Achievements that stood out in particular include:
- The development of a multilingual toolbox to guide purchasers in sourcing sustainable clothing;
- The public awareness-raising events such as the Fair Fashion Fest;
- The active engagement of public and private stakeholders in the “Ghent Fair Trade” group – a partnership between the city and civil society organisations which is the driving force behind Ghent’s awareness-raising efforts;
- Cross-border collaboration to exchange best practices; and
- Ghent’s status as the first Belgian Fair Trade Town.
In addition to the overall winner, several cities received a ‘Special Mention’ for their achievements in four categories.
“Making the greatest impact through fair and ethical trade requires all-encompassing efforts that involve consumers, businesses, and the international community. This champion of fair and ethical trade actively engages its community through events and multi-stakeholder platforms to spread awareness, collaborates across borders to exchange best practices, and develops and disseminates tools to support businesses in improving their sustainable value chains. Moreover, these efforts are all rooted in a long-standing tradition of fair and ethical trade that not only connects to the city’s past as an import hub but also sets a clear vision in line with the Agenda 2030. Ladies and Gentlemen, the first EU City for Fair and Ethical Trade is…. Ghent!”
– Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Trade
27 June 2018 – Brussels, Belgium
Lyon: Special Mention for Innovation
“One of the goals of the EU Cities for Fair and Ethical Trade Award is to highlight new and innovative practices to help improve our understanding and uptake of sustainable trade. Our first Special Mention winner – in the Innovation category – is a city that has gone above and beyond to develop a monitoring and evaluation system to measure progress in implementing sustainability protocols. The city also created its own fair and sustainable trade label, adopted by over 230 businesses and organizations already…if you haven’t guessed it yet: The Special Mention for Innovation goes to… Lyon!”
– Arancha González, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre
27 June 2018 – Brussels, Belgium
Dortmund: Special Mention for Education and Community Participation
“Engaging the community, especially youth, is key to fostering a culture and future where fair and ethical trade is the norm. In addition to engaging businesses and civil society through large-scale fair and ethical trade awareness events and multi-stakeholder platforms, this city supports the next generation of sustainable consumers through Fair Trade kindergarten certification across more than 100 schools. The Special Mention for Education and Community Participation goes to… Dortmund!”
– Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Trade
27 June 2018 – Brussels, Belgium
Madrid: Special Mention for Global Partnerships
“Global partnerships are the binding force and an essential catalyst to sustainable trade and development. Building on a strong public effort to increase sustainability through procurement and public engagement, this city also works with a large network of cities across the Latin America to spread awareness and uptake of fair and ethical trade practices. The Special Mention for Global Partnerships goes to…Madrid!”
– Arancha González, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre
27 June 2018 – Brussels, Belgium
Saarbrücken: Special Mention for Inspiring Procurement Practice
“Public procurement is, perhaps, one of the clearest and most direct ways that cities can commit to fair and ethical trade. This city implements an extensive sustainable public procurement policy respecting ILO conventions and involving city staff training, which can serve as inspiration to others. The Special Mention for Inspiring Procurement Practice goes to…Saarbrücken!”
– Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Trade
27 June 2018 – Brussels, Belgium
The EU Cities for Fair and Ethical Trade Award is an initiative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade implemented by the International Trade Centre.