Center for African Women Economic Empowerment (CAWEE)

“Connecting 100 Traditional Weavers to the Export Market”

In Ethiopia, hand weaving is an important sub-sector and a significant employer of rural families. The sub-sector plays a strategic role in the overall economic development of the country with its strong linkage to the agricultural sector through the sourcing of raw cotton. There is a growing demand in Ethiopia for hand-woven textile products in both domestic and international markets. Unfortunately, many of the small scale weavers are not able to produce products that meet the demands of the export market. The weavers have little or no information about high end market opportunities. Consequently, these weavers do not get continuous orders or consistent income to improve their livelihood.

Under the COMPETE grant, CAWEE endeavors to improve the production capacity of 100 traditional weavers in the textile value-chain through sustainable access to modern techniques, appropriate technologies, quality support and enhanced access to export markets. The targeted 100 traditional weavers will become qualified weavers capable of producing export focused products for their own entrepreneurship initiatives or as valued employees of existing companies that export hand-woven products. CAWEE aims to increase the income level of the targeted 100 weavers by 75%.

Country: Ethiopia

Grant Timeline: April 1^st, 2012 to December 31^st, 2012

Total Amount: $218,570

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