RISE, was ATA’s first matching grant from USAID, a grant for artisan development in Southern Africa that also enabled ATA to strengthen our programming and to build other sources of funding. The Mozambique program was part of PAED, a grant from USAID designed to help artisans and small and medium-sized enterprises develop local, regional and International markets for craft products from Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa. CEDARTE, a new Mozambican NGO is one of the main focuses of ATA’s transitional year (through December 2007) along with hands on business mentoring to two Mozambican craft exporters, Artes Mondlane Craft Centre and Kissange Artesanato.
Some Accomplishments
- Wood products, especially carved and lathe-turned, were introduced to international markets with outstanding success.
- Conservation of wood resources was emphasized and enabled
- Two exporters were recruited and strengthened to fill the gap in the marketing chain.
- Mozambican artisans and exporters were brought to Markets and Market Readiness Programs in South Africa and in the U.S.
- Extended visits from market-savvy international designers from the US, France and South Africa upgraded and developed products
- ATA supported the creation of and provided mentoring for a new Mozambican NGO, CEDARTE – formed by previous ATA local staff – filling the gap in critical craft-related services for Mozambican artisans.
Communities Benefited
Beyond the capital of Maputo, ATA has also worked in communities in Nampula, Sofala, Manica and Inhambane
ATA would like to thank the following organizations for providing funding
for efforts in Mozambique:
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
The Ford Foundation
The Kellogg Foundation
UNESCO
West Foundation
International Finance Corporation
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
October Hill Foundation
Ewing Family Trust
Other individual donors
