Fair Trade

What Fair Trade does

Scottish Fair Trade (legally The Scottish Fair Trade Forum) is a Scottish registered charity (SC039883) and company limited by guarantee (SC337384), founded with recognition of Fair Trade Nation status in 2013. It operates as Scotland's national Fair Trade network organization, convening communities, schools, campaigners, businesses, public sector bodies, and young people to maintain and advance Scotland's status as one of only two Fair Trade Nations globally (alongside Wales). The organization delivers a portfolio of programs including a national membership network, the Youth Collective for ages 13-25, advocacy campaigns (Swap the System, No Climate Justice Without Trade Justice, Election 2026), the Cross Party Group on Fair Trade at Scottish Parliament (where it serves as secretariat), the Fairer Hotels Guide, the Fair Trade Finders crowdsourcing platform, annual Scottish Fair Trade Awards, and the Catherine Newman Youth Bursary.

The organization has no proprietary technology stack; its core infrastructure consists of a WordPress-based website, Mailchimp-managed newsletters, and standard social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky). It operates with a small remote-first team headquartered at Robertson House, 152 Bath Street, Glasgow, with monthly in-person meetings.

Revenue is generated across four streams: membership fees from the national network, public donations (including to the Catherine Newman Youth Bursary), Scottish Government grants via the Global Solidarity Fund and Climate Justice programs, and trading income from its wholly-owned subsidiary Fair Change Co. (SC843484), which delivers ethical business consultancy and advisory services. The organization is led by Chief Executive Louise Davies and governed by a board of trustees.

Name

Fair Trade

Legal name

The Scottish Fair Trade Forum

Website

https://scottishfairtradeforum.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Scottish Fair Trade (The Scottish Fair Trade Forum) is a Scottish charity operating as Scotland's national Fair Trade network, convening communities, businesses, public bodies, and young people to maintain Scotland's Fair Trade Nation status and promote ethical trade practices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fair Trade Advocacy Services

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD), Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing Certification Services (AFALAMAD)

Keywords

• Fair trade advocacy
• Ethical trade campaigns
• Trade justice network
• Sustainable procurement consulting
• Fair trade membership

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Organizations and businesses join as members of Scotland's Fair Trade network, contributing to the organization's operational funding
2. Donations: Public donations accepted through their website shop-support portal, including the Catherine Newman Youth Bursary fund
3. Government funding: Funding received from Scottish Government, including support for Global Solidarity Fund initiatives and international development partnerships
4. Fair Change Co. trading subsidiary: Fair Change Co. (Company SC843484) serves as the trading subsidiary, providing consultancy and advisory services related to ethical business support

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Scottish Fair Trade is Scotland's national Fair Trade network organization, convening and supporting community groups, schools, businesses, public bodies, and young campaigners to advance fair, ethical, and sustainable trade. It operates a membership network, delivers advocacy campaigns (Swap the System, No Climate Justice Without Trade Justice), runs a Youth Collective for young campaigners, and provides ethical business support through its trading subsidiary Fair Change Co.

Product overview

Scottish Fair Trade is a network organization and charity (SC039883) that operates as Scotland's Fair Trade network, supporting grassroots action across Scotland to maintain its status as a Fair Trade Nation. Rather than a traditional software product company, it offers a portfolio of programs, campaigns, and services including: a membership network connecting Fair Trade advocates; the Youth Collective for young campaigners; its trading subsidiary Fair Change Co. for ethical business support; advocacy campaigns (Swap the System, Climate Justice); the Cross Party Group on Fair Trade for parliamentary engagement; Campaigning Together networking sessions; the Fairer Hotels Guide for hospitality sector engagement; Fair Trade Finders crowdsourcing platform; annual Scottish Fair Trade Awards; and the Catherine Newman Youth Bursary. These offerings work together to build connections between campaigners, businesses, public bodies, and international partners around shared commitment to justice and sustainability in trade.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Scottish Fair Trade Network Membership A recurring network membership program for organizations and businesses that joins them to Scotland's Fair Trade network, providing access to resources, networking, recognition as a Fair Trade supporter, and participation in the Fair Trade Nation campaign. For community groups, schools, businesses, and public sector bodies in Scotland.
• Youth Collective An engagement program for young people aged 13-25 in Scotland offering campaign leadership development, climate justice education, and access to international Fair Trade conferences including the International Fair Trade Towns Conference via the Catherine Newman Youth Bursary.
• Fair Change Co. Consultancy Ethical business support, consultancy, and advisory services delivered by Scottish Fair Trade's wholly owned trading subsidiary Fair Change Co. (SC843484). Helps businesses and public sector organizations improve supply chain ethics, achieve Fair Trade credentials, and embed fair and sustainable procurement.
• Campaigning Together Regular online and in-person networking sessions for Fair Trade campaigners across Scotland to share experiences, collaborate on campaign initiatives, and build the Fair Trade movement.
• Fair Trade Finders A crowdsourcing platform enabling individuals to identify and document Fair Trade products available in shops, cafes, restaurants, and cultural venues across Scotland.
• Catherine Newman Youth Bursary A bursary fund launched in 2026 in memory of colleague Catherine Newman to support young people in Scotland to attend the International Fair Trade Towns Conference and engage with the global Fair Trade movement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of Scottish population have heard of Fair Trade
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.

• Matthew AlgiesecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 March 2025Coffee roasters in Glasgow, long-time Fairtrade supporters. Hosted visit from Rwenzori Sustainable Trade Centre representatives, demonstrating positive trading relationship between Scottish business and Fair Trade producers.
• World Fair Trade OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational federation of Fair Trade organizations worldwide. Scottish Fair Trade is a member network, connecting Scottish Fair Trade movement to global Fair Trade community. Provides international conference opportunities including International Fair Trade Towns Conference.
• Scottish GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government funder supporting Scotland's Fair Trade Nation status and global citizenship initiatives. Provides funding through Global Solidarity Fund and Climate Justice programs. Scottish Government Riaghaltas na h-Alba logo displayed on website.
• Fair Change Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrading subsidiary (Company SC843484) of Scottish Fair Trade Forum. Provides consultancy and advisory services for ethical business support. Coordinates with external associates and consultants for specialist support delivery.
• Cross Party Group on Fair TradecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScottish Parliament Cross Party Group where Scottish Fair Trade Forum serves as secretariat. Brings together MSPs, campaigners and Fair Trade advocates for quarterly meetings on trade justice policy. Administered on behalf of elected Convenor MP.
• SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella body for Scotland's voluntary sector. Scottish Fair Trade is a member, connecting to broader third sector network in Scotland.
• Corporate Justice CoalitionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK coalition campaigning for Business, Human Rights and Environment Act. Scottish Fair Trade is a member supporting corporate accountability legislation that would strengthen Fair Trade principles.
• Stop Climate Chaos ScotlandsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of organizations working on climate action in Scotland. Scottish Fair Trade collaborates on climate justice campaigns, including No Climate Justice Without Trade Justice initiative.
• Trade Justice MovementsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-wide coalition campaigning for trade justice. Logo displayed indicating membership/partnership alignment on trade policy advocacy.
• Wellbeing Economy AlliancesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational alliance promoting economic systems that work for people and planet. Scottish Fair Trade logo displayed as member, connecting Fair Trade to broader economic reform movement.
• Scotland's International Development Alliance (SIDA)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of Scottish organizations working in international development. CEO Louise Davies previously employed by SIDA. SIDA arranged COP30 observer pass for Scottish Fair Trade representation.
• Cameron HousesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-star resort at Loch Lomond featured in Fairer Hotels Guide. Demonstrates ethical sourcing, sustainability practices and responsible hospitality. Achieving EarthCheck Silver certification.
• The TorridonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned hotel in north-west Highlands featured in Fairer Hotels Guide. Demonstrates local sourcing, heritage breeds and sustainable operations.
• Hodmedod'ssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish food business achieving high Workers Score on Ethical Consumer rating. Living Wage and Living Hours accredited, demonstrating best practices in worker welfare.
• Postcard TeassecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall tea merchant achieving perfect Workers Score through direct sourcing from small-scale farms under 15 acres in Asia, ensuring fair wages and safe conditions.
• Rwenzori Sustainable Trade CentresecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair Trade cooperative from Uganda working with producers of cotton, cocoa, coffee and crafts. Visited Scotland to celebrate Fair Trade Nation renewal. Maintains trading relationship with Scottish businesses.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fair Trade USA: Largest national Fair Trade certifier in North America, running campaigns and consumer education programmes comparable in scope to Scottish Fair Trade. Provides a national-network analogue in a much larger market and competing brand voice on Fair Trade messaging.
• Fairtrade Foundation: UK-wide Fair Trade organisation licensing the FAIRTRADE Mark and running national campaigns. Most directly comparable national-level Fair Trade body in the UK, serving overlapping business and public-sector audiences and coordinating UK-wide initiatives.
• Fair Trade Wales: The only other Fair Trade Nation network organisation globally, supporting Fair Trade campaigns and member organisations across Wales. Operates an almost identical network/membership model with parallel Youth engagement and parliamentary engagement programmes.
• BAFTS (British Association for Fair Trade Shops & Suppliers): UK trade association for Fair Trade shops and suppliers, providing member services, training and a marketplace directory. Overlaps with the Forum's business support and membership remit for ethical retailers and suppliers across the UK.

Broad incumbents

• Fairtrade International: International umbrella body for Fairtrade labelling across 25+ countries, setting global Fairtrade Standards. Operates a much broader scope than the Forum but is the principal international body governing the Fair Trade movement the Forum advocates for.
• World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO): Global federation of Fair Trade organisations that awards and renews Fair Trade Nation status — including Scotland's. Operates as a broader international umbrella rather than a single-country network, but directly governs the Forum's flagship accreditation.

Regional players

• Fairtrade Africa: Regional Fairtrade organisation representing producers and advocating Fair Trade across Africa — including countries like Uganda, Malawi and Kenya where the Forum runs producer-link programmes. Complements rather than competes with the Forum, but addresses overlapping audiences in international development and trade justice.

Others

• Shared Interest Society: UK-based cooperative providing finance to Fair Trade producers and supporting ethical supply chains. Operates in an adjacent enabling role rather than as a direct competitor, but serves many of the same producer cooperatives that the Forum showcases through its partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 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

Profiles4 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 Fair Trade