University awarded with Three Star Fairtrade Award

Glasgow Caledonian University has proudly attained the Three Star Fairtrade Award in the national Fairtrade Universities and Colleges Award in June 2026. This marks a significant advancement from our previous Two Star recognition, showcasing our commitment to promoting fair trade practices and sustainability on campus.

The Fairtrade Award audit process takes place every two years, during which the University’s Student Volunteer Auditors assess Fairtrade evidence provided for the Fairtrade Foundation. This includes evidence of the presence of Fairtrade within catering and procurement operations, hospitality, student and staff sustainability events and campaigning as well as academic teaching. Having the opportunity to participate in the audit process proved to be a valuable experience for our university students.

Glory Okonkwo, Student Volunteer from the University said: "Being a MSc Social Innovation student myself, I found the audit process especially relatable to my course. Lots of the topics which Fairtrade touches on ethical sourcing, sustainability, social justice and responsible organisational values, mirror many of the ideas which we discuss under the umbrella of Social Innovation. I enjoyed seeing how these were implemented on a practical level here at GCU.

"I learnt more about Fairtrade as a whole as well as the difficulty in encouraging organisations to implement sustainable and ethical practices. I also feel as though I developed a number of transferable skills through auditing from communication and teamworking to general people skills such as observation, critical thinking and evaluating evidence against set criteria."

The University has a long-standing commitment to Fairtrade by becoming first accredited as a Fairtrade University in 2012. 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. You can read more about the University's Fairtrade efforts here.

Integrating Fairtrade principles into the University’s operations enables staff and students to make informed purchasing choices that support ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility. By increasing awareness of the social and environmental impacts of consumption, Fairtrade encourages more sustainable behaviours. Fairtrade certification helps ensure that producers in lower-income countries receive fair compensation and work under acceptable conditions, supporting livelihoods, reducing inequality, and contributing to sustainable development.

Paulo Cruz, Head of Operational Sustainability, said: "This recognition reflects the collective commitment to sustainability demonstrated across the University. By supporting and promoting Fairtrade through the availability of Fairtrade products on campus, as well as integrating Fairtrade principles into engagement activities and research, Glasgow Caledonian University continues to advance its mission for the Common Good. This achievement has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of colleagues and stakeholders from a range of departments across the University."