A university must fulfil five criteria to officially become a Fairtrade University. The first steps, including the university resolution, have already been taken; now a steering group is coordinating the concrete measures on the way to the Fairtrade seal. One approach to raising awareness and strengthening Fairtrade is the conscious selection of products that are offered as part of events. In this context, members of the university will soon be able to help design "their" TUBAF Fairtrade chocolate.
A fair-trade TUBAF chocolate contributes to achieving the goals of our university's sustainability strategy and combines several key aspects of sustainable development. These include
- promoting fair trade and global responsibility,
- raising awareness and strengthening education for sustainable development (ESD),
- promoting a sustainable campus culture
- and making a positive contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof. Dr Karina Sopp, Vice-Rector for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship
Campaign: Fairtrade chocolate tasting at TUBAF
Fairtrade stands for fairer trading conditions, fair prices for producers and a more sustainable organisation of global supply chains. TUBAF is committed to raising awareness of fair trade on campus and making sustainable consumption tangible.
To this end, TUBAF cordially invites all students and employees to a Chocolate Fairtrade Tasting.
When? 16 June 2026, 11:15-14:00
Where? Foyer of the New Canteen
The special thing: Participants will vote to decide which variety will be offered as the official TUBAF chocolate and used as a merchandising item for the university
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On the way to becoming a Fairtrade University
For 10 years now, the city of Freiberg has been certified as a Fairtrade Town and has been working together with the TU Bergakademie Freiberg. In order to visibly expand the university's commitment to sustainability, global responsibility and fair trade, the Prorectorate for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship has decided to launch its own application to become a Fairtrade University. "The award is intended to show that sustainable action is not only practised in research and teaching, but also in everyday university life," says Sopp.
At the same time, the preparatory work for fulfilling the criteria of the seal offers the opportunity to raise awareness among students, employees and partners of the university for topics such as fair supply chains, conscious consumption and social responsibility: "Joint campaigns and events create a sustainable campus culture that invites participation."
In addition, the title "Fairtrade University" strengthens the national and international visibility of the university and opens up new opportunities for networking with other sustainability-oriented universities and initiatives.
More fair trade products on campus
Fairtrade products are already offered by the university and the student union: Certified textiles can be purchased in the Unishop, for example the cotton bags, and the canteen and cafeteria are supplied with fair trade coffee, cocoa, tea and chocolate on behalf of the Studentenwerk. "We want to gradually expand these existing offers on campus with new Fairtrade products and make these fair alternatives easily accessible. That's why we're already looking forward to seeing how the university members react to the fair trade chocolate varieties."
