2026 Fairtrade Limerick School Poster competition ceremony champions sustainability

2026 Fairtrade Limerick School Poster competition ceremony champions sustainability. 1st Prize went to Ola Kakar of Laurel Hill Secondary School; 2nd Prize to Emily Sweeney, Castletroy College; and Joint 3rd Prize for Marie O Connell, Laurel Hill Secondary School, and Farrah Martin, Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Roxborough. Pic. Brian Arthur

Students from Limerick schools added their voices to the Fairtrade initiative through the 2026 Fairtrade Limerick School Poster competition

Limerick schools have been taking an avid interest in the concept of sustainability, which has been showcased during an event hosted by Limerick City and County Council to mark the end of the month of ‘Fairbruary’.

Students from Limerick schools who participated in the Fairbuary 2026 school poster competition, together with those undertaking the Global Citizenship themes of the An Taisce Green Schools programme, have added their voices to demands for a fair global trade system.

The concept of the system is one that puts people, not profit, at the heart of what we place in our shopping baskets.

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As part of the awareness programme, students created posters centred on the Fairtrade message of promoting fair trading practices between Ireland and developing countries.

The intention is to support the Global Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN – in particular Goals 1 No Poverty, 2 Zero Hunger, 5 Gender Equality and 17 Partnerships for the goals.

Fairtrade is co-owned by the farmers’ representatives to ensure Fairtrade is working for farmers in securing fair prices for their produce. Students and their families visited the Limerick City and County Council Chamber in Dooradoyle on Tuesday, 24th February 2026, to continue to promote the Fairtrade message.

Posters, were created by pupils of all ages, ranging from 6 up to 18. The posters are intended to illustrate what Fairtrade means to the pupils.

Cllr Gregory Conway commented, “The passion and enthusiasm we see in young people advocating for Fairtrade today is phenomenal. I want to congratulate all of the winners and thank everyone who participated. Their ongoing work reminds us that fair prices and ethical partnerships are essential to a more equal world. Choosing Fairtrade means that there is care given to how the product was produced, who produced it and what benefit they get as a result.”

Príomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Catherine Slattery said, “The work of the Fairtrade movement supports communities in a sustainable way and it is important to note that many of the farmers representatives who co-own it are women. The work of the Fairtrade movement is now more important than ever as we strive to achieve global sustainability.”

Director General, Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly added, “Limerick has been a Fairtrade city for more than twenty years and that is largely thanks to the work of the volunteers of the Limerick Fairtrade City Committee who are supported by Limerick City and County Council. We intend to continue to promote Fairtrade through initiatives like this competition. The students’ posters reflect a shared belief that fairness and equality must guide our future and I want to thank the students for their dedication to this project.”

Dolores O’Meara, Chairperson Limerick Fairtrade City group, said, “The issue of climate change is becoming more critical every year.  We have seen the devastation in our own county over the last few months from the unrelenting rain.

“Towns have been flooded, houses damaged, furniture destroyed, some losing their workshops, garages and livelihoods.  Farmers and gardeners will be late getting seeds and plants into the ground and this will have an impact on the harvest.  Our government has financial programmes in place to help these people get back on their feet.  

“Imagine what it must be like for the farmers of the developing world where they have this every year – either intense rainfall that floods their fields and washes their coffee bushes and banana trees down the mountain or extreme drought that causes plants to wither in the ground and animals to die from dehydration.  

“We, the consumers, are the only hope they have of getting back on their feet. When we buy a product that is traded fairly, we are supporting these farmers to survive through the hard times.  So look for the product with the FAIRTRADE logo and BUY it.  This Fairbruary, we are calling on people throughout Ireland to shop fair for a month and buy Fairtrade products.”