Back in June, we gave you a taste of what MIF was cooking in the artisan sector in Haiti. Six months ago, we were in the very early stages of defining what it is we wanted to do in the project. Since then, we worked hard, in consultation with the Artisan Business Network, a team of high-level consultants, and feedback from the artisans themselves, to build an initiative that would have an impact on artisans’ incomes and improve their links to the value chain.
So, what is the main problem Haitian artisans face? It is their inability to meet market demand for export-quality products, both in terms of quality and quantity. Why can’t they meet this demand? Because of a variety of challenges, ranging from difficulties in securing the inputs for production, poor business management and marketing skills, and limited access to markets.
How will this new MIF initiative help the artisans?
In four ways.
- First, the project will focus on strengthening the artisans’ access to more affordable input materials through training and exposure. It will also help improving artisans’ access to appropriate financial tools through training, and linking them with interested financial intermediaries.
- Second, the project will work on improving business management and production skills for artisans and small businesses. This will enable them to meet market requirements, and includes training on financial, business and export management and health and safety.
- Third, is expanding the product range of Haitian artisan products, by providing training in identifying market trends, and forming a design board composed by international and local designers for guidance on new product development. The project will also finance training sessions in new finishes and new production techniques to keep the style, technique and design of the artisans up to date with current trends.
- Fourth, facilitating artisans and small businesses access to markets. This includes identifying potential and actual market channels, by supporting buyers’ trade delegations into Haiti, and scouting trade shows with exporters. Also, branding and visibility will be improved through better marketing material.
The project targets 12,000 people - 1,500 artisans and their family members – as well as 22 small businesses in rural and peri-urban areas of Haiti. The beneficiaries are expected to increase their sales from crafts by 70% in 4 years (the end of the project).
The executing agency in charge of the project is the Artisan Business Network, a socially-minded organization based in Port-au-Prince, which was established through a grant from the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, and caters to the needs of 1,500 Haitian artisans. Because MIF has a longstanding commitment to capacity building, the project is specifically focused on strengthening the network’s project management, business and fiduciary skills.