A new ethical enterprise project has recently been launched involving more than 130 young people from 25 schools across Scotland and Northern England. The young people, aged 13-18, are creating their own co-operative businesses, selling fair trade products.

The scheme, supported by Traidcraft, The Co-operative Group and The Fair-trade Foundation, Young Cooperatives, helps secondary school people and others to become aware of trade justice.

All involved in the projects came together for the first national congress of Young Cooperatives. They heard a first-hand account of fair trade, when Belizean cocoa farmer, Justino Peck, described how the lives of his family and community are being changed radi-cally now that they are supplying their crops on fair trade terms.

“The project ties in perfectly with the global citizenship agenda in schools,” said National Co-ordinator, Kevin McGrother. “Young people get a real buzz out of helping others and making some money for themselves.”