Proposal

Onbe Craft: Empowering Rural Vietnamese Artisans through Sustainable Exports

1. Problem Statement

What: Limited economic opportunities for rural Vietnamese artisans specializing in traditional crafts made from agricultural products.

Where: Rural communities throughout Vietnam, particularly those heavily reliant on agriculture.

Who: Artisans, often women, who create handcrafted items from locally sourced agricultural materials like bamboo, water hyacinth, coconut shells, and palm leaves.

How Serious:

• Limited access to markets restricts income generation and perpetuates poverty.
• Lack of product diversification reduces overall earning potential.
• Traditional craft skills risk being lost due to declining demand and younger generations pursuing alternative livelihoods.

Urgency:

• Rural communities require sustainable income sources to combat poverty and improve living standards.
• Preserving traditional crafts strengthens cultural heritage and fosters a sense of identity.

2. Proposed Solution: Onbe Craft

Onbe Craft aims to empower rural Vietnamese artisans by creating a sustainable export platform for their handcrafted products made from agricultural byproducts.

How it Works:

• Partnership: We will collaborate with local cooperatives and NGOs working with Vietnamese artisans.
• Product Sourcing: Ethically sourced, high-quality handcrafted items made from sustainable materials will be selected.
• Design Improvement: Working with artisans, we will offer design workshops to enhance product appeal while maintaining traditional techniques.
• Market Access: We will establish partnerships with international fair-trade organizations, online marketplaces, and ethical retailers to export Onbe Craft products overseas.
• Capacity Building: Training programs will equip artisans with business skills like marketing, pricing, and financial management.

3. Contribution to UN Sustainable Goals

Onbe Craft directly addresses several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 1: No Poverty: By creating a profitable export market, Onbe Craft increases income opportunities for rural artisans, alleviating poverty and promoting economic self-sufficiency.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: Women often dominate the artisanal sector. Onbe Craft empowers women by providing financial independence and fostering their entrepreneurial spirit.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Onbe Craft promotes decent work through fair wages and improved working conditions for artisans.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: We prioritize sustainable materials and responsible production practices, minimizing environmental impact.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Onbe Craft fosters collaboration between artisans, cooperatives, NGOs, and international partners to achieve shared goals.

4. Competitive Advantage

Onbe Craft offers a unique value proposition:

• Authentic Vietnamese Crafts: Exquisite, handcrafted products showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam.
• Sustainable Practices: We prioritize eco-friendly production methods and utilize agricultural byproducts, minimizing waste.
• Fair Trade Principles: Onbe Craft ensures fair compensation for artisans and promotes ethical sourcing practices.
• High-Quality Products: We maintain rigorous quality control standards to deliver exceptional products to international markets.

5. Implementation Plan

• Phase 1 (3 months):
  • Partner identification and collaboration agreements with cooperatives and NGOs.
  • Artisan identification and product selection.
  • Market research and identification of potential international buyers.
• Phase 2 (6 months):
  • Design workshops with artisans to refine product aesthetics while maintaining tradition.
  • Development of marketing materials, product catalogs, and online presence.
  • Negotiation and establishment of export partnerships.
• Phase 3 (Ongoing):
  • Order fulfillment and logistics management.
  • Capacity building programs and training for artisans.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of project impact.

6. Conclusion

Onbe Craft offers a sustainable solution to empower rural Vietnamese artisans, promote cultural heritage, and contribute to several UN SDGs. Through ethical export practices and high-quality products, Onbe Craft fosters economic opportunities for artisans while preserving traditional crafts for future generations.

References:

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals