UNIDO’S YAD PROJECT BREATHES FRESH AIR INTO LEBANESE HANDCRAFTS

A contemporary Lebanese craft collection, titled ‘YAD’ has been launched, featuring the work of more than 20 Lebanese handcrafters. The collection comes under the ‘Supporting Host Communities in Lebanon affected by the high influx of Syrian Refugees’ project, which is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, and designed and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in close coordination with the Ministry of Industry. The initiative, which has been ongoing for over a year, aims to help small producers of handicrafts throughout the country to develop their craft businesses, either by evolving their operational processes or by modernizing their end products to find new clients. Nada Barakat, national project coordinator at UNIDO, said programs that will help maintain cultural heritage with a focus on the handicraft sector are lacking in Lebanon, while a dearth of marketing opportunities is the biggest challenge operators face. “For this reason, UNIDO, through this project, designed creative and innovative tools by creating new lines, concepts and shapes, and by improving the packaging of products all ‘Made in Lebanon’,” she said. According to Barakat, after 18 months of engagement, those involved have begun to believe that by investing in technology and innovation in areas focused on Lebanese traditional culture, communities have the potential to stand on their own feet. “We shouldn’t forget that due to the unprecedented socio-economic challenges that the country has been facing since 2011, micro-industries are struggling to sell their products, which is made even harder by the absence of tourism,” she said. “This new collection will help Lebanese producers compete with more confidence, nationally and internationally.”