Demand for unique, handmade products is growing fast, worldwide.  The crafts sector represents a huge opportunity for Afghan artisans - most of whom are women.  This is their chance to run their own businesses and to pursue larger markets, while supporting families and communities.  Even those who never went to school can be successful.  Skills are passed down through generations -- from mothers to daughters, from fathers to sons. Still, even talented artisans lack access to buyers. The problem?  Isolation, lack of consumer information, insufficient business knowledge, inadequate product design, and, most crucially, limited credit and financing options.

The majority of Afghan craft businesses are too large for micro-loans and too small for commercial loans.  This leaves them in financial limbo, with no means of obtaining the investment they need to build their businesses.  Your $27,000 will help fill that gap, providing seed funding to kick-start several small – but promising – artisan businesses.

All successful economies are built predominantly on small businesses.  Help us include Afghan artisans in the global economy - give them an opportunity to respond to demand and sell abroad. The money you invest will be used to ensure artisans hurdle a range of barriers to reach new markets.

Meet Far & Wide Collective Founder Hedvig Christine Alexander.  Hedvig spent seven years in International Development in Afghanistan, three of which saw her as Managing Director of Turquoise Mountain, a multi-
million dollar charity supporting the Afghan craft industry.  During her time in Afghanistan, she saw how even the most talented artisans struggled to access markets. Far & Wide Collective is set up to do exactly that, help artisans in emerging economies build their businesses and reach buyers around the world.

Last year, Far & Wide Collective, in partnership with Afghan Organization HARAKAT, began work on the Artisan Toolkit - a roadmap to help artisans build businesses. The Artisan Toolkit is a richly illustrated crafts-business guide for Afghan artisans. It combines theory with locally relevant case studies and exercises to convey a range of beginner and intermediate business concepts, from costing and pricing to sales and marketing. In order to be accessible to people of various background and levels of literacy, the guide will be made available in three languages (English, Dari, and Pashto), and accompanied by an audio and animated video version. We have already put hundreds of hours of pro bono work into making this Toolkit a reality - with your help we can finally launch it!

Help Saleh Muhammad grow his weaving business. Saleh owns a silk weaving workshop in Kabul. He and the artisans he employs are some of the intended recipients of the Artisan Toolkit, but they need more than the business savvy the Artisan Toolkit affords them. Credit opportunities for small business owners in Afghanistan are limited and this has left artisans like Saleh stranded, unable to make the investment they need to grow their small businesses. Saleh has several buyers, both local and international, lined up.

This is where you come in. 

Your contributions will help us make critical investments in small Afghan craft businesses with significant potential.  Under the guidance of the Artisan Toolkit, this investment will be used by the artisans for a range of purposes, including – but not limited to – training employees, purchasing equipment, buying raw materials, streamlining production, marketing and shipping.   With this key investment, artisans will be able to widen both their local and  global revenue streams, increasing product availability at stores like Far & Wide Collective, and many others.

Any funds beyond our $27,000 goal will go toward making further investments in Afghan craft businesses.

With a little help from you, Afghan artisans can prosper.  The crafts industry can - given the growing demand - and with the right kind of support  become a significant driver for the Afghan economy.  The Artisan Toolkit will provide Afghan artisans with the business acumen they need to succeed, and your contributions provide the additional small investments necessary to kick-start and grow a number of small businesses. It is small business growth that ultimately will grow the Afghan economy and make Afghanistan prosper.

Take a look at some of our unique perks! 

Thank You

Our sincerest thanks, on behalf of the entire Far & Wide Collective team and all our partner artisans. 

Signed Picture 

Get a signed photo from one of our Afghan artisans, whose business will be bolstered by your contribution.

Patterned Greeting Cards

Never know what to write in greetings cards?  These stunning cards by Afghan artist Tamim Sahib Zader will more than make up for what’s on the inside. See the cards here. + A handwritten note from our team!

Your Name in Calligraphy

One of Turquoise Mountain's renowned calligraphers will write your name in calligraphy and surround it with some Miniature painting.

Peacock Bookends

Read a lot? Even if you don’t, you’ll want these.  Hand-carved walnut by Afghan artisans sealed in a durable finish.  See them here.

Artisan Toolkit

Get one of a limited number of our printed Artisan Toolkits in English. See what our artisans in Afghanistan are learning for yourself.

Ltd. Edition Print

Tamim Sahib Zader’s art has been seen in contemporary art museums from Doha to London.  Now it can be seen in your house as well. See the print here.

Lapis Studs

These beautiful rough gemstone studs are made of raw lapis lazuli native to Afghanistan, and  were made as a collaboration between the Turquoise Mountain Institute and UK Designer Pippa Small. See them here. 

Lunch with the Team

Meet the Far & Wide Collective team (including founder Hedvig Alexander) over lunch at our offices in Toronto.  We make good company, we promise!

Featured Donor

Your name will be included  in the Artisan Toolkit video series - as well as on the project webpage - as one of our Featured Donors.

Custom Calligraphy Art

Tamim Sahib Zader, whose art has been seen in contemporary art museums from Doha to London, will make a unique calligraphy art piece just for you, with the option to include Arabic verses of your choice. + you will be a Featured Donor.

Tell Us Where to Go

Can't find products from a certain country on our online store?  No worries!  You get to decide which country's artisans we work with next. The first line of products will be named after you. + you will be a Featured Donor.

Spread the word far and wide about the Afghan Small Business Fund.  Post on Facebook, tweet, or if you’re feeling nostalgic, write a letter!

Visit farandwidecollective.com to learn more about our partner artisans.

What does the Artisan Toolkit look like?

If you'd like more information about the Artisan Toolkit or this project, please contact us by emailing info@farandwidecollective.com.
Episode 1 -“Starting a Business”.

Why could this not have been funded by the donors behind the Artisan Toolkit?

HARAKAT, the Afghan Investment Climate Facility Organization, were our partners and the donors behind the Artisan Toolkit Project. As seen here, HARAKAT has been mainly involved in large projects and not in the funding of small businesses.