The main objective of the project is to develop the crafts as an alternative to poverty reduction.

The region has a mixed population and very high unemployment rate - 18% for 1999. The Muslim women traditionally can weave, knit and embroider. If enriched with new skills and experience, this ability could become an income-generating source. The project aims to revive and preserve the traditional techniques and to expand the self-esteem of the Muslim women.

The target group is the long - term unemployed, badly educated Muslim women, who are willing to acquire new skills.

The main activities include: creating of marketing strategy for crafts development, motivation training, "Start your own business" training, printing of promotional materials (full color catalogue of the crafts), creating a web page and organizing a crafts fair and follow-up activities. The duration of the project is 12 months.

Results:

• Developed a marketing strategy for development of the crafts in the region
• Christmas Handicrafts Fair in Sofia - 6-8.12.2000, participating 20 craftswomen from Gotse Delchev, Bresnitsa, Ablanitsa, Debren, Ribnovo, Ognianovo, Satovcha and presented the products of 60 craftswomen
• Marketing research for the handicrafts products, summary of the results
• Started business training for the women from Bresnitsa, Ribnovo, Dolno Drianovo, Ablanitsa, Satovcha
• 60 women from 4 municipalities trained on starting own business and developing their skills in participation in fairs ·
• Published a color catalog of the crafts in the region
• Developing a crafts web-site · New handicrafts products developed
• Integrating of the Muslim women in the social and economical life in the region
• Revival and development of the traditional handicrafts

The project is supported by the program Phare of the EU through the Civil Society Development Foundation