Lord Provost Fair Trade awards to be launched today

Lord Provost, Donald Wilson, will  use a visit to the Ethical Christmas Fair in Edinburgh today  to launch the Lord Provost’s Fair Trade Awards 2013.

Now in their seventh year, the awards recognise the difference that residents, businesses and schools make in promoting fair trade in Edinburgh.

The Lord Provost will invite nominations (or in the case of schools, applications) in four categories – Achievement Award; Newcomer Award; Faith Community Award; and Fair Trade Schools Award – before the closing date of 25 January 2013.

The awards will be presented during Edinburgh’s Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from 25 February to 10 March 2013.

Lord Provost, Donald Wilson, said: “I am very proud of Edinburgh’s long-standing commitment to fair trade and these awards provide us with an excellent opportunity to praise the generous contribution individuals and businesses are making to fair trade throughout the city.

“I would encourage people to have a think about where they shop or where they eat and whether that business or organisation promotes fair trade – and, if so, get nominating!”

The capital has seen its fair trade status renewed for the eighth year in a row. The Edinburgh Lord Provost awards were launched in 2006 to promote and publicise Fair Trade across the city.

The Ethical Christmas Fair has been taking place for six years and showcases a mixture of Fair Trade, Ethical and Eco gifts from a range of Scottish and International suppliers. It runs from 8–16 December, 10am-6pm, on Castle Street.

Visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/fairtrade for further information and to make an online nomination.