Chemnitz is a Fairtrade city
Chemnitz "Fairtrade Town" for another two years
The city of Chemnitz received the new certificate as a Fairtrade city in April 2024. This means that Chemnitz is now officially a "Fairtrade Town" for another two years.
In 2020, Chemnitz received the award from the non-profit association Fairtrade Deutschland e. V. for the first time for its commitment to fair trade, for which it had to demonstrably fulfil five criteria: A steering group coordinates all activities. Fair trade products are offered and served in shops and catering establishments. Fair trade products such as coffee and tea are also offered at municipal events and catering occasions. Civil society also carries out educational work and the local media report on local activities. Chemnitz once again fulfils all five criteria of the Fairtrade Towns campaign.
In this context, the Fairtrade Town Chemnitz steering group has drawn up an overview map with the participating shops, restaurants and active organisations. The "Shopping and Participation Finder - Fair Trade" can be found in a flyer and at www.chemnitz.de/umweltzentrum. Establishments that would also like to get involved or participate but are not yet shown are welcome to contact the Environmental Centre for the next edition.
Chemnitz once again honoured as a "Fairtrade Town"
On 22 September 2022, the city of Chemnitz was awarded the title of "Fairtrade Town" for another two years.
Lord Mayor Sven Schulze accepted the certificate renewing the title in the City Council Chamber of the Town Hall after a ceremonial address and a laudatory speech by Fairtrade Ambassador of Honour Manfred Holz. The event was accompanied by music from the Chemnitz City Music School.
Title for commitment to fair trade
Chemnitz honoured as a Fairtrade Town for the first time in 2020
After fulfilling all the criteria of the Fairtrade Towns campaign recommended by the city council, Chemnitz has now been awarded the title of Fairtrade City by Transfair e.V. and has been allowed to bear this title since 2 April 2020.
Through the commitment of local retailers, catering businesses, schools, associations, parishes and the media to fair trade, the city of Chemnitz is sending a concrete signal for a fairer world and making an important contribution to improving the living conditions of disadvantaged producer groups in the Global South.
Dieter Overath, Chairman of the Board of Transfair e.V., explains his support for fair trade in times of health and economic challenges: "We can overcome the coronavirus crisis if we keep our distance physically, but stand together as a society in spirit. The current crisis calls for solidarity from all of us. This is what fair trade stands for. We can and should all show solidarity in our everyday actions by protecting ourselves and others and providing support where help is needed. This applies to the people in our immediate neighbourhood. But our solidarity also applies to the people who supply us with products such as coffee, cocoa, bananas or other raw materials and for whom we are also working in this time of crisis."
The Environmental Centre offers advice on how fair trade can be supported in companies, schools and associations. Contact: umweltzentrum(at)stadt-chemnitz.de
Incidentally, anyone can support the FAIREwelt shop as a direct specialised shop and educational provider for fair trade here locally by using the recently established delivery service:
Background
The Fairtrade Town campaign offers the opportunity to set a visible example of municipal values and commitment. Cities play a decisive role in the realisation of global development goals, as this is where fair trade and sustainable consumption can be put into practice. All municipalities worldwide are therefore called upon to fulfil their social, economic and ecological responsibilities.
The Chemnitz city councillors have joined this campaign with a resolution. An alliance of representatives from administration, business, civil society and the population have brought the motto "think globally - act locally" to life and prepared the application.
The title is to be defended again after two years.