culture-project:-identity-building-and-sharing-business-initiative

Culture project: Identity Building and Sharing Business Initiative

Aperçu

Résumé

EFI has mobilised consumers and creative skills to leverage a new positioning for artisans from marginalized communities in the international markets of lifestyle and fashion/luxury. EFI has enabled new creative talents to trade internationally and to get access to platforms of e-commerce and promotion that are reshaping the segment of ethical fashion, which is now a mainstream part of the market.

EFI’s experience illustrates how investing in human capital through culture means bringing about change at the level of:

  • Individuals, who become involved in training, capacity building and personal transformation/consciousness raising, workshops and/or business processes, dialogue and encounters;
  • Consumers and citizens, who become mobilized through media and/or action campaigns;
  • Professional development, supply and collaboration networks, who become involved through a series of relationship-building processes, joint efforts and practical programs on substantive problems linked to product development and market responses; and,
  • Communities, where social capital is developed and/ or solidified by connecting new human resources (from the informal sector) to existing formal business and social networks.

Partenaires

Organisme de financement

European Commission, Directorate-General International Partnerships

Organisme de financement

ITC Trust Fund Window 1 – BDF (Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland)

Organisme de financement

ITC Trust Fund Window 1 (Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, India, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland)

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

Ethical Fashion Africa Litd.

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

IkatUz

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

Incub’Ivoire

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

Ozara

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

Aga Khan Foundation Tajikistan

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

Europa House Tashkent (European Union in Uzbekistan)

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

GIE CABES

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

Union craftsmen of Tajikistan

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

Ethical Fashion Artisans EPZ Limited

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

Uzbekistan’s Silk Industry Association

Organisme de mise en oeuvre

Human House (Gallery)

Context

Boosting the creative industries 

Culture reflects a people’s uniqueness, value and heritage. Strengthening a nation’s culture through its art, fashion and design, builds social networks, reinforces identities and creates trade and business opportunities.  

The International Trade Centre’s Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) Culture showcases creativity and talent in art, photography, cinema and music in Côte d’Ivoire, Iran, Kenya, Mali, Tajikistan, Uganda and Uzbekistan. 

We work with the private sector to strengthen these cultural sectors and increase their exports.  

EFI builds on existing skills and creativity, investing in human, productive and marketing capacity to bring intrinsic value to the surface, so people across the world can enjoy it and the communities creating it can thrive.  

The EU supports the EFI Culture Programme as part of “Investing in Culture and Creativity,” launched in 2017. 

When I was a little girl, I liked to sit near my mother and observe her when she was sewing dresses. Later on, I adopted these skills. This knowledge turned into an income-generating activity that has helped cover all of my children’s expenses. I am always working on developing my skills to do my best when completing each order.

When I was a little girl, I liked to sit near my mother and observe her when she was sewing dresses. Later on, I adopted these skills. This knowledge turned into an income-generating activity that has helped cover all of my children’s expenses. I am always working on developing my skills to do my best when completing each order.

Mavjuda Nabieva

Embroiderer, OZARA

Social Enterprise specialised in embroidery, Tajikistan

Social Enterprise specialised in embroidery, Tajikistan

I am happy to be able to stay at home and contribute to my family’s income. We get more money than the workers of the other fields, and I like weaving new motifs of Adras and Velvet with every new project. I would like to thank all the people who bought the woven fabrics for this project.

I am happy to be able to stay at home and contribute to my family’s income. We get more money than the workers of the other fields, and I like weaving new motifs of Adras and Velvet with every new project. I would like to thank all the people who bought the woven fabrics for this project.

Charos

Ikat Uz

Social Enterprise specialised in weaving, Uzbekistan

Social Enterprise specialised in weaving, Uzbekistan

I am still facing many challenges. But I hope that one day soon I might have a chance to get investors or donors interested in my business, so I can sell my fashion locally and internationally.

I am still facing many challenges. But I hope that one day soon I might have a chance to get investors or donors interested in my business, so I can sell my fashion locally and internationally.

Safiatou Kone

Safi Creations

Jewellery Business, Cote D’Ivoire

Jewellery Business, Cote D’Ivoire

The Accelerator has taught me to appreciate and understand my brand and its potential. EFI was able to bring that out. The Accelerator has left me feeling more confident and competitive in the global fashion market and provided me with additional value in what I’m doing.

The Accelerator has taught me to appreciate and understand my brand and its potential. EFI was able to bring that out. The Accelerator has left me feeling more confident and competitive in the global fashion market and provided me with additional value in what I’m doing.

Jennifer Mulli

JIamini Kenya

EFI Designer Accelerator Brand

EFI Designer Accelerator Brand