CLINTON BUSH HAITI FUND AWARDS ATA GRANT

With its Haitian Business Growth Fund, Aid to Artisans is rekindling the struggling handcraft industry…rebuilding the sector one artisan and one retailer at a time.

In Haiti, artisans are 11% of the national labor force. In their heyday during the 1970s and 80s, Haitian artisans brought $20 million of export funds into the nation’s economy.

Now, with a Clinton Bush Haiti Fund grant, Aid to Artisans is revitalizing the artisan sector, supporting its comeback after years of embargo and the devastating effects of the January 2010 earthquake.

The focus of the Haitian Business Growth Program is to revitalize the Haitian artisan sector through market-driven strategies to increase income, support business development, and create jobs.

In July 2010 – February 2011, ATA seeks to have quick impact in the three areas of demand creation, job creation, and local retail income growth. This will be accomplished through ATA’s holistic approach to economic develop that includes product development and design, business training, and providing links to the market.

Specifically, Aid to Artisans will:

  • Help to re-establish and create more than 3,000 artisan production jobs;
  • * Expand local retail revenues for artisan products by 10-15%, generating orders of more than $400,000;
  • Support Haiti’s artisans with product development and design consulting;
  • Arrange buyer trips in areas capable of production and delivery;
  • Showcase Haiti’s artisan goods at international gift fairs.
  • Provide retail training that stimulates demand for Haiti’s artisan products.