BHcrafts, as the first recognized social enterprise and fair-trade nonprofit organization on the Balkans has, since the very beginning, strived towards enabling women all over Bosnia and Herzegovina to use their native skills in handicrafts and produce handmade items, thus generating income. This production, for many of women, is the main source of income that allows them to ensure their family has food on the table. Bosnia and Herzegovina faces problems with decreasing unemployment however, BHcrafts, since 1995, engaged women due to their native skills therefore, lowering unemployment in BiH. BHcrafts organizes regular tailored made training for women that includes improving their skills by educating them on various techniques, focusing on necessary details for the creation of a perfect product, made following all production standards implied by the fair-trade certificate. these training sessions prepare the women for the global market and introduces them to all sorts of market demands. BHcrafts shares their model with a number of nonprofits globally. It has proved to be successful even in difficult working conditions such as the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. BHcrafts wishes to help as many women in Bosnia and Herzegovina as possible however, these training sessions tend to be expensive for the nonprofit, but are completely free for beneficiaries.
The average expense of the training per one beneficiary is $500, and the beneficiary is able to earn around $100 per month (they can earn more or less depending on the amount of work done, which is their decision). Therefore, every donation will allow us, BHcrafts, to train one more woman, and have one more individual generate an income in BiH. You as a donor can play a crucial role in our story and help us reach our long-term goal. BHcrafts is a small nonprofit and social enterprise in a country where there is no law regarding social enterprises, and an environment that lack knowledge in that department. Nevertheless, it succeeded in incredibly difficult time thus, our beneficiaries have always been grateful, knew they can rely on BHcrafts not only for an income, but also for improving skills, educating them further, and reintegrating into society.
Apart form making a direct donation, you as a partner could make an indirect donation by purchasing one of our products form our online store (bhcrafts.shop). All profits made through sales are invested into training for new beneficiaries. This way you are not only buying a lovingly handmade item but you do your "shopping with purpose".
Bhcrafts has an Instagram (bhcrafts_bih) and Facebook (BHcrafts) profile where you can follow our progress, and how your donation is being incorporated into our daily work. You can check results achieved with your donation, and we post weekly updates on how we are progressing, what workshops were organized, new events we're included in, production, etc. We promise to post updates on this platform as well, where all of you donors can ensure that your donation is being invested in the right segments of this nonprofit organization. You will be able to keep up with our beneficiaries, and their progress as well as we will be posting photographs, videos and quotes from beneficiaries.
