Developing the skills of a network of women artisans
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A Rede Asta shops in Rio. Handmade objects that enhance the status of artisans and protect the environment. -
The Asta Network logistics center collects handicraft products from 60 producing network member groups throughout Brazil. -
Group of female artisans belonging to the Asta Network. They specialize in cushions design.
The project
Rede Asta was founded in 2005 in Rio de Janeiro. The organization markets and distributes products made by groups of female artisans in disadvantaged regions of the country who would otherwise have difficulty achieving the scale necessary to make their businesses viable. Rede Asta’s mission is to help reduce social inequalities by promote sustainably-produced. handmade objects that enhance the status of artisans and protect the environment.
The support
Fondation CHANEL has been supporting Rede Asta to increase the number of women-led cooperatives belonging to its network, develop the talents of the artisans, and improve the visibility of the organization. The Foundation also helped structure Rede Asta’s monitoring and evaluation tools in order to better measure the social impact of the project.
The results
- This project expanded the number of cooperatives belonging to Rede Asta from 30 to 60 in 10 Brazilian provinces.
- These cooperatives included 800 female artisans who produce handicrafts using recycled materials. Their participation in Rede Asta’s network provides them with access to new markets, improves their production processes, and helps them manage their income.
- The organization expanded its retail network by opening several new stores in Brazil, including one on the famous Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro, to attract new customers and make its products more visible.
- Rede Asta has also diversified its distribution channels by creating an online store and developing gifts for companies.
The partner
Rede Asta aims to reduce social inequality in Brazil by empowering female artisans in low-income regions with access to markets, business knowledge, and networking opportunities.