Engabu Za Tooro initiates a new innovation “TA Inclusion model” to strengthen the artisan sector in Uganda

 

 

Traditional artisans in Africa are not defined nor targeted for capacity support, leading to market exclusion and vulnerability. Their ancient designs are not consolidated and the capacity development models don’t address their unique limitations to product, enterprise, technology and market development. Despite its absolute advantage to reclaim productivity among demographics with severe limitations, the sector remains forgotten in investment.

 TA inclusion, using innovative strategies, recognize traditional artisans, consolidate their ancient designs and unlock product development and technology enabled marketing and hence transforming them into competitive manufacturers.

 The model fills the gap in reaching traditional artisans in concept, programming and operations, builds friendliness with community processes and leverages the universality of crafting as a tradition, source of livelihood and a space of innovation and hence stands out as a unique, clever, impact potential, cost effective and scalable.

Outcomes include; increased productivity , integration into the mainstream  sector, enhanced story diversity and market value of  products, growing business partnerships,  job creation, market access and improved livelihood. US$ 12 million cumulative revenue impacting 2.5 million people to be realized in five years.

Using hybrid revenue model, the innovation leverages the thematic relevancy of craft to a wide range of sectors including creative economy, women empowerment, culture preservation, livelihood improvement, entrepreneurship and business promotion and builds connections. It also leverages the nature of crafts as a global commodity and establish business partnerships for marketing, promotions, capital and business financing. A team of specialists in relevant fields is assembled.  

More about the innovation here