Carndonagh Foróige Club in Co.Donegal is among the first Foróige Clubs in Ireland to receive Fairtrade Status.
The group began a Fairtrade and Sustainable Development Goals project as part of the Aldi Youth Citizenship Challenge, for which they won a Silver Star Award at the Youth Citizenship Awards in Dublin in July.
Volunteer Leader with the Club, Laura Duncan, said: “The Club began the project in November creating a sustainable development video. In February Fairtrade Fortnight took place and we attended the Fairtrade Big Breakfast in Carndonagh, at the event we met with a Fairtrade Banana grower from Dominican Republic.
“On March 12th our Club held our own event, a Fairtrade Coffee morning & Bake Sale. The world Fairtrade Coffee Challenge took place 13th-15th May & we encouraged businesses & organisations around town to get involved. Foróige Clubs around the country were also invited to participate & support Fairtrade through a Facebook event page the club set up. Being part of this Challenge put Carndonagh Foróige on the world map along with everyone else who was taking part.
“Our Club is actively involved in the Carndonagh Fairtrade town committee and uses Fairtrade products. This prompted us to apply for Fairtrade status for our Carndonagh Club.
“Following on from this work we applied to Fairtrade Ireland for Fairtrade status and in June it was granted to us.
"Carndonagh Foróige are the 1st Foróige Club in the country to receive Fairtrade status. The Certificate is valid for 2 years and during this time the club will continue to promote Fairtrade.
“Fairtrade status means recognition of Foróige Carndonagh's commitment to social & economic justice. We are delighted with our achievement,”