‘Home Grown’ initiative set in motion to shift people’s focus from consumption to production
CHAIRPERSON of Qatar Museums HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Minister of Social Development and Family HE Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad launched the ‘Home Grown’ initiative on Monday with an exhibition at the Wadi Msheireb Station and M7 building in Msheireb Downtown Doha.
The initiative, which originated from home for diversified production, aims to establish a culture of sustainability, shift individuals from consumption to production, and develop the productive families system within the State of Qatar. The aim is to enhance the efficiency of families, raise their productivity, and develop their skills by providing integrated services starting from the process of producing ideas to facilitating access to markets, in addition to changing the negative stereotype associated with productive families by launching this initiative under a new name and an attractive visual identity.
The production is divided between food, textile and craft products. This initiative came to change the name from productive families to a new name that keeps pace with the development and progress witnessed by the local market.
This initiative was launched at the first point of sale, which was launched in conjunction with the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, through the exhibition, which focuses on highlighting the aesthetics of the Qatari product, as it contributes to enhancing the Qatari identity, and introducing the current generation to the heritage of handicrafts. This is done by integrating traditional designs of handicrafts and presenting them in a modern and contemporary way by a constellation of Qatari artists and designers in a number of artistic fields, including designs, fashion, jewellery, antiques and accessories, in addition to Sadu textiles, besides reviewing valuable art paintings.
More than 53 projects and Qatari designers are participating in artistic fields, in which the originality of the past and the modernity of the present have been combined, with the aim of promoting and encouraging small and micro-entrepreneurs.
The exhibition also includes introductory workshops with the direct education system for Sadu crafts, writing in Arabic calligraphy and the way of making the Misbaha collection, in addition to paper money and pottery.
On this occasion, Minister of Social Development and Family said that the Ministry, represented by the Department of Family Affairs, encourages and supports innovative and creative Qatari youth in all fields. The event is held in the framework of keenness to achieve the Ministry’s vision to direct the efforts of institutions concerned with women and the family economically, encourage them to self-reliance, develop and implement projects to support and develop productive families through training and the provision of support services, as well as providing areas for marketing their products.
HE Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad considered this important initiative as one of the strategies of the Ministry of Social Development and Family to provide protection for some families that produce many local handicrafts and products. She stressed that the success of these projects pushes young entrepreneurs and families to repeat them and look for entrepreneurial ideas to develop them. Considering the participation of the Ministry in various activities during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 a great opportunity for families to showcase their home projects, and introduce guests to the most important products that will carry the identity of “Home Grown”.
The initiative extends to include several participations in various parts of the country, aimed at defining the identity and presenting it to visitors and community members during the World Cup, and increasing the percentage of sales to beneficiaries, and its launch coincides with the Global Entrepreneurship Week, which the world celebrates from November 13 to 19 every year.
In this context, the Ministry of Social Development and Family emphasised the important roles that * young entrepreneurs can play in the development process, in addition to the great benefits of investing in youth initiatives to achieve sustainable development, and aims to motivate Qatari youth to innovate, develop their creative abilities and enable them to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The Ministry also seeks to unite efforts in order to enhance awareness and knowledge among various members of the community and to work on concerted efforts to attract members of the community to participate in such initiatives, raising awareness of social issues and contributing to the revival of authentic Qatari heritage through handicrafts and fine arts.
The Social Development Centre (Nama), a Qatar Foundation partner, participated in the initiative “Home Grown” through organising the “Home Grown” Exhibition in cooperation with M7, Qatar’s new creative hub, established by Qatar Museums under the leadership of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
M7 is committed to accelerating the growth of Qatar’s creative economy by providing guidance and opportunities for designers to build successful local and international businesses. It also helps the fashion and design industry play its role in the growth of Qatar’s creative circular economy system. Its platforms include comprehensive development and mentoring programmes, worldclass exhibitions and events, and public seminars.
Located in the centre of Msheireb Downtown Doha, M7 creates a space for creative people by working closely with the centre’s resident partners, including Cutting Studio, Studio 7, Scale 7, Fromm, Workinton and Profiles restaurant.