Fairtrade Fortnight kicks off on Monday February 22nd once again, this year mainly online. Fairtrade Groups, Businesses, Producers, Schools and Universities all over Scotland and the UK have taken to the web, promoting an extraordinary variety of activities, promotions and presentations, that link Fairtrade with climate justice and positive action for a fairer, more sustainable world. In Orkney, the Buy Fair and Buy Local banners will be out, the cathedral will be lit in blue and green on the night of February 26th, churches will be recording and streaming Fairtrade themed services, the Co-op will be organising a special “Join in Live” event on Wednesday March 3rd, and the Orkney Fair Trade Group will hold a “Fair, Green Gathering” for members on the evening of Tuesday March 2nd.

Throughout the fortnight, Orkney Fair Trade Group will be promoting the Climate Coalition’s Declaration for a healthy, greener, fairer tomorrow. Details will be available on our Facebook page from Monday February 22nd. The full programme with links to national events is available on Orkney Fair Trade Group’s Facebook page and will be updated throughout the fortnight. On https://www.facebook.com/orkneyfairtrade you will also be able to see copies of local entries to the online Youth Exhibition “Share Your Vision of the World You Want to See” organised by the Fairtrade Foundation.

Chair of Orkney Fair Trade Group Lorna Penny said: “there’s a huge range of online events available, catering for different audiences and interests. So while we’ll all be missing the Fairbake challenge this year, we can still buy scrumptious local treats to enjoy at home with a Fairtrade cuppa when we participate in one of these virtual sessions”

Events for Fairtrade Fortnight in Orkney 2021 can be found below.

Monday 22nd February to Sunday 7th March Youth Exhibition Online event organised by the Fairtrade Foundation. Open to all creatives aged 5 to 15: prose writing, poetry, art in any medium, film and photograph. Submit by 1st March for publication UK wide and locally. For more information see; https://schools.fairtrade.org.uk/take-action/share-your-vision-of-the-world-you-want/ or https://www.facebook.com/orkneyfairtrade

Monday 22nd February to Sunday 7th March Online Festival Range of UK wide events organised by the Fairtrade Foundation:
• Farmers and workers from around the world explaining why they need to earn more to survive a climate crisis that is already hurting their communities.
• Discussions between farmers, other experts and famous faces about what we need to do to choose a better future.
• Music, art and entertainment, from all corners of our passionate and talented global Fairtrade community.
• Fun interactive workshops on sustainable living here in the UK.
Sign up at: https://action.fairtrade.org.uk/page/73941/subscribe/1?ea.tracking.id=fthp2021
Events organised by Scottish groups, organisations and businesses:
Sign up at: https://www.scottishfairtradeforum.org.uk/news/fairtrade-fortnight-2021-22-february-to7-march-2021/
Throughout the fortnight, Orkney Fair Trade Group will be promoting the Climate Coalition’s Declaration for a healthy, greener, fairer tomorrow. Details will be available on our Facebook page from Monday February 22nd
.
Friday February 26th St Magnus Cathedral Illumination
The Cathedral will be lit in blue and green to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight.

Saturday February 27th Scotland’s Big Climate Justice Coffee Morning
Online event organised by Scottish Fair Trade Forum. Speakers from Sholi Fairtrade Coffee Cooperative in Rwanda.
Sign up at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wake-up-and-taste-the-coffee-tickets

Sunday February 28th St Olaf’s Episcopal Church, Kirkwall 8.30am
Zoom Fairtrade Breakfast All welcome to join in; contact Catriona Robertson catriona@soligeo.scot to request a link.

Sunday February 28th Kirkwall East, Shapinsay & Moncur Memorial Church Stronsay E-service with a focus on Fairtrade issues. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/kirkwalleastlinkedwithshapinsay or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Yg_uFSQsU7UWDC2SSnyCA You can also hear an audio recording of the service by dialling 01856 404667 (charges for a local phone call apply) Or you can read a script of the service, contact the Minister Julia Meason for this, JMeason@churchofscotland.org.uk

Tuesday March 2nd The Fair, Green Gathering 7.30pm
Online event for Orkney Fair Trade Group members; a friendly and informal opportunity for discussion about Fairtrade, climate change and biodiversity. There will be brief inputs about a few key issues. Bring a Fairtrade drink and an
inquiring mind! For details contact orkneyfairtradegroup@gmail.com

Wednesday March 3rd Fairtrade Uniform, The Climate & Your School
10.00am – 12.00 noon
A free online event organised by Koolskools, to discover how embracing Fairtrade school uniform can support global citizenship education at your school. Register at http://bit.ly/3qNrU2V

Wednesday March 3rd Join in Live Local 10.00am – 11.00am
An online event organised by the Co-op in Orkney, where you can meet some of the local Co-op team, learn about the benefits of choosing Fairtrade products, and hear about some of Orkney’s local causes you are supporting. To register, email Carol.Ridgway@coop.co.uk or go to https://www.co-operate.coop.co.uk

Sunday March 7th St Olaf’s Episcopal Church, Kirkwall 8.00pm
Half hour Evening prayer service on Zoom, with a focus on Fairtrade. All welcome: contact Catriona Robertson catriona@soligeo.scot to request a link.