Fibres of Life

Fibres of Life handicrafts are the result of a creative partnership between a local community developer and the Association for Craft Producers (ACP) in Nepal, which supports low income artisans. The organization works with 90% women, and a range of castes in Nepal. There is also targeted support for ethnic minority communities which can face additional economic and social challenges within the country.

ACP is a member of IFAT, the International Fair Trade Association, which links and supports fair trade organizations around the world. Membership in this organization helps to demonstrate that ACP operates with fair trade principles.

Benefits to artisans as a result of Fibres of Life product sales include:

-A fair wage, one which improves personal and community standard of living
-A medical allowance - a 7% addition to the artisan's salary
-A household allowance - a 7% addition to the artisan's salary
-Paid maternity leave of 52 days for one child
-An education allowance with extra emphasis on girl children (who can be disadvantaged in the mainstream education system)
-Training in handicraft skills
-Material sourcing, product development and marketing support
-A producers' alliance which protects artisan's rights
-Financial loans to group producers
-Producer reward schemes
-A foresight fund to assist producers in retirement
-Counselling services for those experiencing hardship
-A subsidized work cafeteria in Kathmandu with healthy food and clean drinking water