Fairer festivals guide

Events are powerful. They bring people together, shape culture, influence behaviour and leave a footprint that stretches far beyond the day itself. In Scotland, where commitments to global justice, Fair Trade and climate action are part of our national identity, the events sector has a unique opportunity to lead by example.

From conferences and corporate functions to festivals and community gatherings, every event involves hundreds of decisions about people, products and places. Those decisions can either reinforce harmful supply chains or actively contribute to a fairer and more sustainable world.

That is why Scottish Fair Trade has launched its Fairer Festivals Guide. It is a practical resource designed to support event organisers, venues and suppliers to embed Fair Trade principles into event planning, purchasing and delivery in ways that are innovative and impactful.

What the Fairer Festivals Guide offers

The guide recognises that ethical events are not just about environmental sustainability; fairness is social and economic too. It is about decent work, fair pay, inclusion, transparency and respect for the people behind the products and services that make events possible.

The guide walks organisers through the full event lifecycle. It explores how choices around venues, accommodation, crew, procurement, partnerships, travel and waste can align with Fair Trade principles. It also looks at how events can promote Fair Trade values to audiences through storytelling, programming and engagement rather than treating ethics as an add on.

Importantly, the guide is grounded in real world practice. It includes examples from festivals and events across the UK that are already experimenting with fairer approaches, from ethical trader policies and environmental bonds to inclusive ticketing models and audience travel initiatives.

Why this matters for Edinburgh and its business community

Edinburgh is a global city for culture and events. Decisions made here influence supply chains, visitor behaviour and industry standards far beyond Scotland. For businesses and organisations involved in hosting or supporting events, adopting fairer practices is not only the right thing to do, it also strengthens reputation, builds trust and responds to growing expectations from audiences, partners and staff.

The Fairer Events Guide supports organisations at different stages of their journey. Whether you are planning a small meeting or a large scale festival, the guide helps you identify meaningful actions that fit your context and capacity.

Get involved

Scottish Fair Trade is inviting event organisers across Edinburgh and beyond to use the Fairer Events Guide as a starting point for change. By doing so, you become part of Scotland’s wider commitment to Fair Trade and global justice, helping to ensure that the benefits of our events economy are shared more fairly.

The guide is free to access and can be supported by advice, consultancy and partnership opportunities for organisations that want to go further.

You can access the Fairer Events Guide and find out more about membership and other forms of support available from Scottish Fair Trade here- Home | Scottish Fair Trade

Website links:

Link to guide: https://scottishfairtrade.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Fairer-Festivals-Guide.pdf

Link to Scottish Fair Trade website: Home | Scottish Fair Trade