Fairtrade

GCU has a longstanding commitment to Fairtrade. It was first accredited as a Fairtrade University in 2012, and in partnership with GCU Students' Association has achieved a two-Star Fairtrade University Award in the 2022-24 cohort of the Fairtrade Universities and Colleges Award.

The University and the Students' Association's commitments are set out in our joint Fairtrade Policy. Our Fairtrade plan sets out our objectives for the coming year, while our annual Progress Report outlines our achievements so far.

In March 2024, the Fairtrade Steering Group carried out a Fairtrade Survey to gauge the University students and staff awareness of the presence of Fairtrade on campus. The survey indicated a high level of support for Fairtrade, despite identifying gaps in communicating on Fairtrade to the wider University population. These findings will be used to update the University's Fairtrade Plan.

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. Find out more on the Fairtrade Foundation web pages.

Fairtrade is important for the University as it aligns with our commitment to being the University for the Common Good.

The University promotes Fairtrade through multiple events, campaigns or volunteering opportunities.

The biggest Fairtrade event that takes place annually is the Fairtrade Fortnight. This year it will be celebrated from Monday, 9 September - Friday, 20 September. Join the celebration by visiting the Fairtrade Book display at Sir Alex Ferguson Library, take our Fairtrade Quiz or purchase Fairtrade coffee and other products from the University's catering outlets.

For more details on the event, please visit our Events and campaigns webpage or sign up to our Sustainability Newsletter.

Fairtrade products are currently available primarily through the catering outlets on campus and we are engaging our supply chain to explore opportunities for increasing the range of products that are Fairtrade or have strong ethical trade credentials.

In addition to the University's Fairtrade Policy, our Sustainable Food Implementation Plan sets out commitments to Fairtrade.

The University's annual Fairtrade Progress Reports outline our achievements on Fairtrade:

Fairtrade Progress Report 2022-23

Fairtrade Progress Report 2021-22