The city of Leuven is marking a significant achievement: twenty years of continuously holding the title of Fair Trade City. This anniversary was celebrated at the Bib Leuven Tweebronnen, coinciding with the start of the Fair Trade Week, which runs until Saturday, October 17. Since 2006, Leuven has been committed, alongside local organizations, to fair trade, responsible production, and sustainable consumption.
During a festive gathering, alderman for global policy Lies Corneillie reflected with various partners on two decades of fair engagement in the city. Attendees enjoyed a sweet treat made with fairtrade ingredients. Alderman Corneillie highlighted the strong collaboration between residents, schools, associations, entrepreneurs, and volunteers that makes this commitment possible. She emphasized that fair trade is a daily reality and that the Fair Trade Week further highlights this commitment, encouraging Leuven residents to make sustainable choices.
Over the years, Leuven has built a broad fair trade narrative, supported by a growing network of partners from civil society, education, culture, and business. Since its recognition, the city has supported the local working group for the Fair Trade Week through actions, educational projects, and public campaigns. The focus on fair trade has evolved into a broader commitment to sustainable consumption, with initiatives in sectors such as food, fashion, and general conscious consumerism. Notable past examples include the world record attempt with 10,000 sandwiches with fairtrade chocolate (2014), '(H)eerlijk Tafelen' (2017), the publication of the guide ‘Fair trade begins here, in Leuven’ and the website fairtradeinleuven.be (2019), the Night of Fair Trade (2021), the Faire Ronde (2024), and the Flemish Fair Trade City Meeting in Leuven (2025).
Fair trade is strongly present in the daily life of Leuven, with five world shops, several fair fashion stores, hospitality businesses, and supermarkets offering fair products. Internally, the city has made conscious choices for twenty years, participates in Fairtrade@Work, and purchases fair trade and sustainable products where possible, such as coffee, tea, fruit juice, and workwear. The city also collaborates with the cooperative Kort’Om Leuven for daily fruit for city employees. Since 2019, the city has exclusively chosen natural stone manufactured sustainably and with respect for human rights. In 2020, Leuven became the first city in Flanders to commit to fair ICT. Three years later, by signing the Slow Fashion declaration, the city advocated for equal competitive conditions in the textile sector. In September 2025, the Leuven city council approved a human rights clause targeting companies profiting from the genocide in Gaza.
Various activities for all ages are taking place during the Fair Trade Week, including tastings and a quiz night. The full program is available at www.uitinleuven.be/fair. Oxfam-Wereldwinkels Regio Leuven, a regular partner, is focusing on Congolese fair trade coffee this year, organizing activities to highlight how fair trade contributes to better income and future opportunities for coffee producers in Eastern Congo. On October 17, visitors can exchange empty coffee packaging for a free pack of Congo coffee at participating world shops.
Leuven is also calling on its residents to participate in the Sweet Revolution, a campaign by Faire Gemeente that raises awareness for a fair and sustainable sugar chain. The campaign encourages citizens, organizations, schools, and businesses to choose products that guarantee fair prices for producers and contribute to more sustainable food production, demonstrating how small choices can have a significant impact globally. More information is available at sweetrevolution.be.
