Egypt

USAID Handmade in Egypt

 

 Handmade in Egypt, a three-year USAID-funded program that contributed to the alleviation of poverty, particularly among women, through the support of entrepreneurship and income generating activities in the handicraft sector. Empowering low-income artisans by building profitable business inspired by handmade traditions and linking them with export opportunities drove the programmatic activities. The program focused on strengthening existing business associations, exporters, wholesalers and other craft sector service providers to increase their effectiveness in providing marketing and training activities. It works in different fields; ceramics, wood, textiles, rugs, accessories, leather, copper, and glass.

To support the artisan community a select group of business leaders was chosen, along with local USAID staff to attend a five training of trainers (TOT). The workshop focused on facilitation skills, co-facilitation skills, learning styles, learning styles and the fundamentals of giving appropriate feedback. The attendees were able to forge cross country networks as support systems as they moved their organizations towards their goals of exporting to Western Markets.