Fairtrade campaigners at Reading Uni. Photo: People & Planet

When big institutions like universities switch to Fairtrade, the impact can be enormous. Just think how much coffee gets guzzled in morning lectures, or how fast the chocolate empties from the vending machines, and you'll get the picture.

The more Fairtrade products we buy, the more developing world farmers benefit from better prices, long-term contracts and opportunities to invest in their own development.

Having Fairtrade products available all over campus will also help to make people more aware of the plight of poor farmers, and the cultures and societies they come from.

That said, persuading your university or college to go Fairtrade might seem pretty daunting. Where do you start? Who do you talk to? How do you write a proposal? Well, it's not as hard as it sounds - although you will need to be dedicated to see it through.

To make it easier to add your university to the Fairtrade list, check out People & Planet's Fairtrade Action Guide (1.24MB PDF). There are tips on how to drum up campus-wide support, ways to refute 'bad excuses' that catering departments might use, case studies and specific goals you need to work towards.

Getting your uni or college to back Fairtrade is a massive step in getting Fairtrade recognised and supported throughout the UK, now the world's largest consumer of Fairtrade products.

Wondering what to do next? Check whether you uni or college already has Fairtrade Status.

If it has find out how to take your Fairtrade campaign further...