Who We Are
We are Gosport Fairtrade Action (GFA), a group of volunteers, who since 2006 have been organising activities to promote Fairtrade in Gosport. Our members include representatives from a range of voluntary organisations, schools, youth organisations, businesses, religious groups, various political parties, and include some local councillors. We work closely with Gosport Borough Council to meet the goals needed to achieve Fairtrade Borough Status. We did this first in January 2008 and have renewed that status regularly since. We are due to apply again in 2026. We have maintained very good relationships with Gosport’s MP and successive Mayors, all of whom have been supportive.
We have worked with local Friends of the Earth, churches, schools, supermarkets and businesses, Women’s Institute, Level Up and Great Big Green Week volunteers. We have embraced the campaigning element of the work of the Fairtrade Foundation – currently with a strong focus on how Fairtrade can help farmers in producer countries adapt to climate change. This is reflected in most of the displays we’ve prepared.
GFA operates on a minimal budget, funded by small donations from members and supporters and through activities at events. We are grateful to the Southern Co operative which gave us a grant to get us started and to various local supermarkets who regularly donate products for raes at events.
What we do
Organise Events
We organise events and promote Fairtrade products in Fairtrade Fortnight, and get involved in local events throughout the year.
Campaign
We campaign on issues like climate change, protecting the environment and international trade - which affect both Fairtrade producers and consumers like us.
Provide Information & Resources
We offer varied ways of finding out more about Fairtrade, its effects, and the difference we can make.
Work Locally
We work in Gosport to introduce Fairtrade to schools, businesses, organisations, places of worship, and more.
Our Aims
We want everyone to know that by choosing Fairtrade products they can change people’s lives. So we want to increase awareness of Fairtrade, encourage more people and organisations to use Fairtrade goods, and more retailers and catering establishments to sell them. We seek to promote Fairtrade in community organisations and workplaces of the borough. We are committed to raising awareness in our community that when we choose Fairtrade products, good things happen:
Producers can earn enough from Fairtrade prices to provide for their families
Farmers and workers receive a Fairtrade Premium, which is an extra sum of money paid by companies on top of the Fairtrade Minimum Price. The members choose how to use it to benefit their communities by improving facilities and services.
They can get training and support to invest in their business, adapt to climate change, farm their land sustainably, take better care of their environment.
Fairtrade certifications requires decent working conditions, gender equality and a ban on discrimination, forced labour and child labour.
During the Covid19 pandemic Fairtrade Co operatives provided members of their communities with sanitary equipment, advice and emergency food supplies.
Fairtrade is unique in that farmers and workers have an equal say in how Fairtrade is run – they have representation at all levels of governance, including 50 percent of decision-making power in the general assembly.
Latest News
GFA Activities in 2020
A Year That Began Normally — and Changed Dramatically 2020 started with optimism and face-to-face action — but quickly shifted as the COVID-19 pandemic brought events to a halt.We held a successful Fairtrade Fortnight before lockdown, but the rest of the year became...
Looking Ahead
If Fairtrade is to maintain a strong profile here and if Gosport is to continue to be a Fairtrade Town, then it needs new faces, fresh ideas and energy.
Fairtrade
Fortnight
The key task for GFA will be to discuss, plan, organise and deliver events in Fairtrade Fortnight (September 22 – October 5, 2025). Displays and events which involve contact with the Gosport public (at stalls, in schools, in the Town Hall…) are generally the most enjoyable part of our action.
Collaborate
Additional Fairtrade events can take place at any time through the year, but there are various occasions that offer opportunities to link up with other organisations, such as Big Brew – March 3-15; Great Big Green Week June 7-15; Michaelmas Fair; November Christmas FT products stalls.
Renew
New members bring new ideas or new twists to old ideas such as Fairtrade product tastings; Fairtrade meals; a film evening; a quiz or playing Fairtrade games … Do you have any ideas for once-off or longer term activities to promote Fairtrade? Please contact us – We’d love to hear from you.
Get Involved
Contact us today and let us know how you could help or support Gosport Fairtrade Action!