The European Union’s Committee of the Regions (CoR) has unanimously adopted an opinion calling on local and regional authorities, EU Member States and the European Commission to join forces with the CoR in further supporting Fair Trade.

Specifically, the opinion underlines the need to adopt a European Strategy and action plan for the local and regional level.

One of the key tools for local and regional authorities to support Fair Trade is by promoting Fair Trade Public Procurement. With the partnership of ICLEI, the European Fair Trade Association's (EFTA) Public Affairs Project has put in place a European Observatory that aims at mobilising public authorities to include Fair Trade criteria in their public procurement procedures.

Sergi Corbalán, on behalf of the World Fair Trade Organisation, Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International and EFTA, stated, “The new European Commission should not turn a deaf ear to the clear and loud message from local and regional authorities and also adopt a Fair Trade work plan for the coming years.” ICLEI has also supported Fair Trade and ethical public procurement as co-ordinating partner in the Buy Fair and RESPIRO projects.
For further information on the European Observatory, click here.