Aiding in the production and commercialization of local handicrafts and rural tourism startups

Subject Area: Community Development

Location: Mapuche communities in eastern Patagonia

Description: The Mapuche communities of the area are currently living at subsistence levels, which does not allow them to grow and improve their standards of living. The production of handicrafts constitutes one of the most important sources of family income, in many cases as much as 50% of monthly income. On the other hand, with the grow of the tourism market, and in particular interest and nature and rural culture, this sector shows clear signs of growth. For this reason, and with an eye towards working together for sustainable development, we propose:

- Create market opportunities to complete the productive and commercial circuit of locale Mapuche artisans. Together with La Asociación Civil UNMAY (Amanecer), a Mapuche civil organization, and the artisans in the community, we aim to generate a sustainable project to develop the productive commercial circuit as a source of familial income and promote artisan culture.
- Work concretely in support of rural tourism startups.

Budget: Calculated for one year of work

Item	FCP Contribution	UNMAY Contribution	Donation Sought	TOTAL
1. Aiding artisan groups and workshops designed to increase production, training, distribution and commercialization	AR$ 3,000 / US$ 1,000 (Logistics, training, human resources and vehicles)	AR$ 3,000 / US$ 1,000 (Human resources and vehicles)	AR$ 13,000 / US$ 4,333 (rotating fund for the purchase of inputs, management and commercialization training, trips to the communities and from the communities to elsewhere)	AR$ 19,000 / US$ 6,333
2. Setting in motion artisan yarn circuit and commercialization of wool and weavings	AR $1,000 / US$ 333 (logistics, human resources and vehicles)		AR$ 3,326 / US$ 1,108 (purchase of wool, visits to the artisans, purchase of spinning wheels, spindles)	AR$ 4,326 / US$ 1,442
3. Training in shearing and spinning llama wool	AR$ 500 / US$ 167 (logistics)		AR$ 4,000 / US$ 1,333 (trainer & honorariums)	AR$ 4,500 / US$ 1,500
4. Carry out market research to expand sales foci	AR$ 500 / US$ 167 (logistics and administration)	AR$ 500 / US$ 167 (logistics and admin.)	AR$ 2,000 / US$ 667 (specialist in charge)	AR$ 3,000 / US$ 1,000
5. Open a sale point in the locality	AR$ 2,000 / US$ 667 (artisan contribution towards stock)	AR$ 1,500 / US$ 500 (to rent physical space)	AR$ 6,000 / US$ 2,000 (modification of physical space, purchase of initial stock)	AR$ 9,500 / US$ 3,167
6. Create a "Red de artesanos del la Cordillera" (Andes artisan network) generating a sense of belonging, common identity and the possibility of fair commercialization.	AR$ 1,000 / US$ 333 (human resources, logistics and vehicles)	AR$ 1,000 / US$ 333 (human resources, logistics and vehicles)	AR$ 8,000 / US$ 2,667 (meetings with artisans, training in quality, management, calculation of cost/price, distribution of the initiative, brochure, label)	AR$ 10,000 / US$ 3,333
7. Create a schedule of local, regional and national fares and expositions to evaluate the participation of artisans in the distribution and commercialization of their handicrafts.	AR$ 500 / US$ 167 (human resources and logistics)			AR$ 500 / US$ 167
8. Aid the campground organization improve infrastructure, signage and brochures.	AR $1,500 / US$ 500 (logistics and vehicles)		AR$ 15,000 / US$ 5,000 (construction of bathrooms, creation of signage and brochures, training in tourist service and management, camping materials: sleeping bags, pots, grills, tents, etc., technical assistance)	AR$ 16,500 / US$ 5,500
9. Reception of groups of foreigners in the communities	AR$ 1,000 / US$ 333 (organization of groups, vehicles)		AR$ 4.200 / US$ 1.400 (purchase of cooking utensils for meals offered, training in tourist service and management, transfer of groups to communities)	AR$ 5,200 / US$ 1,733
10. Bank and administrative costs			AR$ 3,626.30 / US$ 1,208.77	AR$ 3,626.30 / US$ 1,208.77
TOTAL	AR$ 11,000 / US$ 3,667	AR$ 6,000 / US$ 2,000	AR$ 59,152.30 / US$ 19,717.43	AR$ 76,152.30 / US$ 25,384.10