Empowering vulnerable communities with sustainable livelihoods using art and entrepreneurship.
COLETIVO SABER EM ARTE (“Collective Knowledge in Art”) is a non-profit located in Sao Paulo that works with rural communities facing high levels of unemployment, inadequate housing/sanitation and violence due to poverty.
Location: Campinas City, northwest region of San Paolo, Brazil, in a cluster of neighborhoods called Amarais.
The COLECTIVO provides training, support and incentives to create sustainable livelihoods for the Amarais community through art and entrepreneurship. The COLECTIVO believes that empowering the women with entrepreneurship skills will reduce this region’s economic and social vulnerability, which was exacerbated by the pandemic.
The COLETIVO was formed by passionate community leaders and many local partners, who together developed public programs considering the needs and rights of the Amarais community.
Core activities in COLETIVO’s program:
1. The Solidarity Fair
The Solidary Fair, located in Amarais, gives local entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell their artisanal products to the public. The fair has 50 registered entrepreneurs, and is supported by the Department of Culture because of its immense popularity throughout the community. Many local partners see the fair as a vibrant expression of Amarais culture, and as supportive of the residents’ wellbeing.
The COLETIVO has plans to expand this fair to the outer regions to reach a larger, more diverse market with a higher spendable income to increase the sales potential of the women entrepreneurs. The COLETIVO also has a goal to increase investment in the women’s entrepreneurship training, so they can learn through experience at the fairs and sharpen their business savviness.
2. Sewing Course
The COLETIVO designed a sewing course that trains women with concrete skills, while fostering enthusiasm for financial independence and leadership. By the end of the course, the women will have created a product that they can sell in the market. They will also receive entrepreneurship lessons such as pricing, advertising, customer service and ethics.
The Housing Department made donations to jump start the class — including 13 sewing machines, furniture, supplies, and some instructor compensation for the initial classes.
The COLECTIVO was in need of additional funds to develop the curriculum and execute the course. This is where Mitra Path came in.
“We are deeply grateful for Mitra Path’s support in making this dream-project of ours come true. Because of Mitra’s support we are giving 40 women the opportunity to learn new skills, become more confident, to make part of a network of reliable and welcoming relationships, and to truly believe that they can start generating an income and improving their lives and their families.”
– COLETIVO SABER EM
Mitra Path’s Support
Mitra Path’s funding allowed the COLETIVO to develop a personalized program for the entrepreneurs. This included:
- Development and implementation of each entrepreneur’s business plan
- Providing a small initial amount of “seed funding” for each business
- Mentoring for each entrepreneur
- Enable continuity of the program so new groups can enroll for sewing course by providing instructor pay
Partnership Goals
The goal of Mitra Path’s funding was to increase the generative income of local entrepreneurs who participate in COLECTIVO’s training courses.
COLETIVO initially planned a course for 15 students, but they received so many applications that the course was expanded to 40 students! Once the students complete the sewing courses, they will take entrepreneurship classes. 15 promising candidates will then receive seed funding to start their business.
Graduation & New Ventures
A year later, COLETIVO announced that the women have graduated from the program as a result of Mitra Path’s partnership. Through this experience, 12 enterprising women have created a sewing collective called Maos de Fada Collective, which meets every Wednesday to work on pieces and manage their businesses (covering production, strategic planning, business law, branding and various demands of running a business).
The women drafted their core statement together as follows:
Our Vision:
“To establish our own atelier to produce our pieces, and to gain recognition for the quality of our work”.
Our Mission:
“To work and earn an income through a collective business.”
About Us:
“We are a group of women who sew for themselves and their families, improving our financial
sustainability. We also aim at selling a variety of services, from ready-made garments, to the production
of various, in bulk, commissioned pieces. All in an organized, committed fashion and with excellence in
the quality of service.”
As the Maos de Fada Collective moves forward, a new incoming class of 16 women have enrolled for beginner sewing classes with Mitra Path’s support.
COLETIVO held an event (above) attended by partners and family members for the grant of seed capital of their businesses.
“Sewing is not just a skill; it’s a way of relaxing, getting out the house, and having something new to do, all while looking after the family. Now we want to learn about entepreneurship, make plans and earn money from sewing. Before we only dreamed…now, we are determined to move forward.”
– Message from Collective group
Coletivo Maos de Fadas exhibited their own pieces at the “Abraca a Praca” event. It was their first time to be recognized by the wider community.
“The collective has changed my days…it made me see how capable I am and to have more confidence. I never imagined that. And it showed us that together we can do more. Thank you to everyone involved. Gratitude.”
– Vanessa M, participant