For the fifth time the Fairtrade Awards for special commitments to fair trade were awarded in Berlin. No small feat for the jurors who had to choose winners in the producers, traders and organizations categories out of many candidates.
“All nominees have committed themselves in an outstanding way to fair trade,” says Dieter Overath, CEO of TransFair and member of the jury. “It was an interesting and intensive process filled with discussions to reach an agreement about the winners.” Beforehand the public could vote online. And for the first time awards were presented to the most dedicated small farmers' organization, the most convincing rewards committee and the largest "Fairtrade supporter" during the ceremony.
Famous German actress Anke Engelke presented the Fairtrade Awards 2016. Photo: Frank Nürnberger
Winner in the category trade: Lidl
Lidl was presented with the award in the category trade. As the first German company, they had home-brand Fairtrade certified products back in 2006. And they continue to expand their Fairtrade range. Furthermore Lidl regularly supports projects in countries of the supplying partners. They were one of the first partners in the Fairtrade-cacao program in 2014. The jury report stated: “The diverse range and wide availability makes Fairtrade products available for a large consumer base. This way Lidl contributes significantly to the improvement of living conditions and working standards of farmers and workers in the world.”
Second place went to Rewe Boppard for a popular customer campaign and the Fairtrade Town action in Boppard.
Third place went to the Swiss Pakka. Pakka works together with nut producers all over the world and brings Fairtrade nuts to the European market. The Pakka online store offers a nutty amount of variety.
International Fairtrade Awards
The International Fairtrade Awards were awarded in Berlin for the first time. The most dedicated small farmers' organizations are in Honduras, Columbia and Malawi. The most convincing rewards committees are in Ethiopia, Sri Lanka and India. And the most online votes for the largest Fairtrade Fan went to Bijumon Kurian from India. The coffee and cacao farmer came first ahead of nine other candidates from eight different countries, and he represents producer organizations as a board member of the Asian Fairtrade producers network NAPP.
Source: Fairtrade Deutschland