BGC
MEET
BGC
Pioneering the integration of
handicrafts and agriculture
for development
A Note From Our Director . . .
Over the past 30 years working with artisans across the globe, I have seen firsthand how handicrafts — handmade lifestyle and gift products — can move families out of poverty. Artisan products can generate significant income to help households build homes, pay school fees, send children to university, access quality healthcare, and reinvest in local agriculture.
What has impressed me most about this work is not only its impact, but how often the handicraft sector is undervalued as a driver of development.The basket makers of Senegal or Ghana send hundreds of shipping containers of baskets around the world every year. They support their communities during draughts and poor harvests, and have the funds to fight climate change impacts.
This is why I am shifting our focus to energizing this synergy between agriculture and handicrafts — because it already exists and it works! I have a great team and we are ready to work with you to create income-generating programs that will change lives.
Thank you,
Elaine Bellezza
The artisan sector is the second largest employer
in the developing world after agriculture.
We build artisan strengh through targeted design training, business and export coaching and initiating links to appropriate global markets to foster year-round income.
Collaboration is built across communities and regions to be able to access larger orders and to reach and sustain improved economies of scale.
BGC partners with agriculture programs to create sustainable ecosystems that offer multiple income streams and diversified entrepreneurship opportunities.
Agriculture supplies food.
Handicraft exports generate significant year-round income.
The Resilience Factor
Food production is the backbone of rural communities.
Handicrafts is the driver for economic stability.