Erlangen remains a Fairtrade town

The city of Erlangen continues to fulfill all five criteria of the Fairtrade Towns campaign. It will therefore continue to hold the title of Fairtrade Town for another two years. Since the first award more than ten years ago by the association Fairtrade Deutschland e. V., Erlangen has continuously expanded its commitment and set new accents. Environmental and climate protection officer Sabine Bock emphasized on February 7, 2025: "The renewed confirmation of the award is a visible sign of the strong commitment of our city society in the field of fair trade. We would like to thank everyone involved and look forward to continuing to be part of the global Fairtrade Towns network with our projects."

Erlangen once again provided strong impetus for fair trade in 2024: the third edition of the alternative city map "Stattplan" shows where sustainable consumption is practised in Erlangen (offers at: www.fairlangen.org/stattplan/). Over 2,000 fairly traded gingerbread cookies found enthusiastic buyers over the Christmas period. And Erlangen's city chocolate impressed with its creative designs and is an example of local fair trade.

Attracting more people to fair trade

The steering group is looking for new members to anchor Fairtrade more firmly in everyday consumer practices and implement even more projects. The aim is to create sustainable structures and get more and more people involved in fair trade. "Whether companies, associations, schools or individuals, everyone can play an active role in establishing Fairtrade as a natural part of everyday life," explains Verena Fiedler, spokesperson for the steering group from the city's Office for Environmental Protection and Energy. She can be contacted by e-mail at verena.fiedler@stadt.erlangen.de.

fairtrade-town Erlangen

The confirmation of the award underlines the sustainable anchoring of fair trade in Erlangen. Fair trade refers to all products and productions that meet the guidelines of the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International. Fair trade products are now offered in many Erlangen companies, stores and restaurants. Local players from politics, civil society and business are working closely together towards a common goal.

Erlangen was first awarded the "Fairtrade Town" award by FAIRTRADE DEUTSCHLAND in 2012 for this outstanding and sustainable commitment. This title has now been awarded for a further two years. Because the commitment to fair trade continues.

The commitment in Erlangen is multifaceted: the "Stattplan" shows where you can shop fairly in Erlangen; the Friedrich-Alexander University has now been awarded the title "Fair Trade University"; gift baskets with fair products for various occasions are on offer and schools and municipal facilities are only to purchase fairly produced balls following a city council resolution.

The Fairtrade Towns campaign also offers Erlangen concrete options for action to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted in 2015. Under the motto "think globally, act locally", the city is making an important contribution to this with its commitment.