Scottish Fair Trade

What Scottish Fair Trade does

Scottish Fair Trade (legally The Scottish Fair Trade Forum) is Scotland's national Fair Trade network organization, operating as a Scottish charity and Company Limited by Guarantee (charity number SC039883; company number SC337384) founded in 2007 and headquartered at Robertson House, 152 Bath Street, Glasgow. The organization promotes Fair Trade through campaigns, membership programmes, advisory services, and grassroots engagement spanning community groups, businesses, public bodies, schools, and young people across Scotland. It convenes the Cross-Party Group on Fair Trade at the Scottish Parliament and was instrumental in securing Scotland's Fair Trade Nation status in 2013, renewed in 2025. A small remote-working team of 1-10 staff delivers these functions, supported by a wholly-owned trading subsidiary, Fair Change Co. (company number SC843484), which provides ethical business consultancy.

The organization's core products and programmes include the Membership Network (connecting campaigners, businesses, public bodies, and supporters), the Youth Collective for 13-25 year-olds, regular Campaigning Together sessions, the Fairer Hotels Guide, the Catherine Newman Youth Bursary, and policy publications. Underlying technology consists of a WordPress-based website integrated with Mailchimp for email newsletters, Eventbrite and Ticket Tailor for event management, Zoom for webinars, Flexi-Grant for Scottish Government grant applications, and an active presence across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and Bluesky. The organization holds Living Wage Employer and Cyber Essentials certifications.

Scottish Fair Trade's revenue model combines recurring membership fees, public donations, grants (with the Scottish Government identified as primary funder), and earned consultancy income via Fair Change Co. on ethical procurement and supply-chain advisory. The customer base spans four primary segments: public sector organizations (NHS, local authorities, government bodies), businesses and social enterprises, young people and youth activists, and small community groups. Notable institutional relationships include Matthew Algie, Rainbow Turtle, True Origin, NHS National Services Scotland, and the University of Edinburgh. Partnerships extend across the World Fair Trade Organization, Fairtrade Foundation, Oxfam GB, Corporate Justice Coalition, SCVO, and producer cooperatives in Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, and Colombia.

Name

Scottish Fair Trade

Legal name

The Scottish Fair Trade Forum

Website

https://scottishfairtrade.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Scottish Fair Trade (The Scottish Fair Trade Forum) is Scotland's national Fair Trade network charity, promoting ethical trade through campaigns, membership programmes, policy advocacy, and consultancy via its Fair Change Co. subsidiary, serving communities, businesses, public bodies, and young people across Scotland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fair Trade Advocacy and Ethical Trade Campaigning

akta.pro primary industry

Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing Certification Services (AFALAMAD)

Keywords

• Fair trade advocacy
• Ethical procurement
• Sustainable trade campaigns
• Trade justice policy
• Ethical business support

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Organizations and individuals join as members of Scotland's Fair Trade network, paying membership fees that support the organization's operations and mission.
2. Donations: Public donations accepted through the website to support organizational activities, campaigns, and youth bursaries.
3. Fair Change Co. consultancy services: Trading subsidiary Fair Change Co. provides light-touch consultancy and advisory activity on ethical business and sustainable procurement, coordinated through the Development & Business Partnerships Officer role.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Scottish Fair Trade Forum (operating as Scottish Fair Trade) is a Scottish charity and Company Limited by Guarantee that serves as Scotland's national Fair Trade network and campaigning organisation. It sells and delivers Fair Trade membership programmes for individuals, businesses, councils, and educational institutions; runs public-facing campaigns (e.g., "Swap the System") and policy advocacy at the Scottish Parliament; and provides paid ethical business advisory services through its trading subsidiary Fair Change Co.

Product overview

Scottish Fair Trade is Scotland's Fair Trade network organization operating as a platform with multiple interconnected products and programs. The core offering centers on the Scottish Fair Trade Network and Membership Program, which connect campaigners, businesses, public bodies and supporters. Fair Change Co. serves as the trading subsidiary providing ethical business support and consultancy services. The organization runs the Youth Collective to engage young people, organizes Campaigning Together sessions for network members, and facilitates the Cross Party Group on Fair Trade at the Scottish Parliament. Additional offerings include the Fairer Hotels Guide for responsible hospitality, Global Solidarity Fund application support, and the Catherine Newman Youth Bursary for youth engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Scottish Fair Trade Membership Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of Scotland's population have heard of Fair Trade
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Fair Change Co.coreOthersTrading subsidiary of Scottish Fair Trade Forum, registered company SC843484. Delivers light-touch consultancy and advisory services on ethical business and sustainable procurement.
• World Fair Trade OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network that Scottish Fair Trade is part of, providing global connections and resources for the Fair Trade movement.
• Scottish GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder of Scottish Fair Trade activities. Minister for Equalities and International Development Simita Kumar MSP expressed support for the organization. Partnership includes Climate Justice team collaboration at COP30.
• Scotland's International Development Alliance (SIDA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitated COP30 observer pass for Scottish Fair Trade Chief Executive Louise Davies to attend climate conference in Brazil.
• Cross-Party Group on Fair TradecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScottish Parliament Cross-Party Group convened by Scottish Fair Trade. Brings together MSPs, campaigners, and Fair Trade advocates for policy discussions.
• Corporate Justice CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition campaigning for Business, Human Rights and Environment Act. Scottish Fair Trade is a proud member working to align business practices with Fair Trade values.
• SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella body for Scotland's voluntary sector. Scottish Fair Trade operates as a member, part of the broader civil society ecosystem.
• Wellbeing Economy AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational alliance promoting economic models that work for people and planet. Scottish Fair Trade is a member aligned with this vision.
• Stop Climate Chaos ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of organisations campaigning on climate change. Scottish Fair Trade participates with 'No Climate Justice Without Trade Justice' messaging.
• Trade Justice MovementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-wide coalition campaigning for trade justice. Scottish Fair Trade participates in collective advocacy.
• Cool EarthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity working to prevent rainforest destruction. Listed as a partner/funding source on Scottish Fair Trade's site.
• Global Justice NowmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaigning organisation working to stop corporate power and trade rules that benefit big business over people and planet. Hosted joint webinar on ISDS and corporate courts with Scottish Fair Trade.
• True OriginminorOthersFair Trade importer in Paisley that supports livelihoods overseas and creates local jobs in warehousing and logistics. Example of best practice in community wealth building.
• Fairtrade FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK charity co-ordinating Fairtrade in Britain. Scottish Fair Trade works with Foundation on campaigns including Brew It Fair tea campaign.
• Oxfam GBmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational charity working on global poverty. Presented at Cross-Party Group on women in global supply chains and Fair Trade issues.
• Colombian EmbassyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian Ambassador Laura Sarabia spoke at Cross-Party Group meeting on Fair Trade as pathway to peace and Colombia's economic strategy.
• Rwenzori Sustainable Trade CentreminorOthersFair Trade cooperative from Uganda producing cotton, cocoa, coffee, and crafts. Representatives visited Scotland during Fair Trade Nation renewal celebration.
• Matthew AlgieminorOthersCoffee roasters in Glasgow, long-time Fairtrade supporters. Trading partner that highlights connections between Scottish consumers and Fair Trade producers.
• Bala SportminorOthersUK-based company offering affordable, quality Fair Trade footballs and rugby balls. Highlighted in Scottish Fair Trade content on sports and ethics.
• KibebeminorOthersSocial enterprise in Malawi creating handcrafted baby products using African textiles. Working towards WFTO guarantee. Scottish Fair Trade featured on World Fair Trade Day.
• Hodmedod'sminorOthersBritish food business achieving high Workers Score. Living Wage and Living Hours accredited. Featured in research on social sustainability.
• Postcard TeasminorOthersSmall tea merchant achieving perfect Workers Score. Sources directly from small-scale farms in Asia, focusing on natural farming and fair wages.
• Ujamaa SpiceminorOthersSocial enterprise start-up led by young social entrepreneurs in Scotland building businesses with responsible supply chains from the outset.
• ASIGEminorOthersSocial enterprise start-up led by young social entrepreneurs in Scotland building businesses with responsible supply chains from the outset.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Fairtrade Foundation: UK-wide charity coordinating Fairtrade certification, licensing, and consumer campaigns across Britain. Scottish Fair Trade partners with the Foundation on campaigns like Brew It Fair and is structurally comparable as a Fair Trade advocacy organization, though Fairtrade Foundation operates at UK scale while Scottish Fair Trade focuses on Scotland.
• World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO): Global network of Fair Trade enterprises and the body that awards Scotland's Fair Trade Nation status. WFTO is a direct upstream partner of Scottish Fair Trade and operates at global scale, sharing the same mission of promoting Fair Trade assurance and producer support.
• Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI): UK alliance of companies, trade unions, and NGOs promoting workers' rights in global supply chains. ETI overlaps with Scottish Fair Trade's ethical procurement advisory work and corporate accountability advocacy but focuses on broader human rights due diligence beyond Fair Trade certification.

Direct peers

• Traidcraft Exchange: UK-based Fair Trade charity focused on campaigning, producer support, and ethical trade advocacy. Traidcraft Exchange shares Scottish Fair Trade's advocacy model and overlapping campaign portfolio (e.g., trade justice), differing mainly in geographic scope and historical retail operations.
• Stop Climate Chaos Scotland: Scottish coalition of climate-focused organizations. Scottish Fair Trade participates with its "No Climate Justice Without Trade Justice" messaging, making it both a member and a peer in Scotland's climate-justice advocacy space.
• Fair Trade Federation: North American trade association of Fair Trade businesses and organizations, paralleling WFTO at regional level. Operates as a peer membership network for Fair Trade enterprises, conceptually similar to Scottish Fair Trade's role as a national network organization.
• Trade Justice Movement: UK-wide coalition of NGOs, trade unions, and campaigners advocating for trade justice policies. Scottish Fair Trade is a member; both organizations share campaign themes (ISDS, corporate courts) and operate as advocacy coalitions, though Trade Justice Movement is broader in scope than Fair Trade alone.
• Corporate Justice Coalition: UK coalition campaigning for a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act. Scottish Fair Trade is a member; both organizations coordinate on policy advocacy aligning corporate practices with Fair Trade principles, making them directly comparable coalition-style campaigners.
• BAFTS (British Association for Fair Trade Shops & Suppliers): UK trade association representing Fair Trade shops and suppliers, focused on WFTO Guarantee System compliance and ethical retail. BAFTS is a direct peer — both organizations mobilize UK/Scotland-based Fair Trade businesses and advocate for ethical sourcing standards.
• Scotland's International Development Alliance (SIDA): Scottish umbrella body for organizations working on international development, including Fair Trade groups. SIDA is a peer in the Scottish civil society ecosystem, providing funding facilitation (e.g., COP30 observer pass) and policy platforms that Scottish Fair Trade leverages.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCe6RECDhjGl4g8ckInfkBfg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ScottishFairTrade
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scottish-fair-trade-forum
• Instagraminstagram.com/scottishfairtrade
• TikToktiktok.com/@scottish.fair.trade

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scottish Fair Trade