In March 2017, IOM finalized the distribution of the carpet toolkits as part of the Handmade Carpet Project. 100 women were assisted to start up their own microbusinesses, while others were assisted in sustaining their businesses within the handmade carpet cooperatives by providing raw materials to their workshops. All the women are trained and equipped to produce carpets in 4 locations in Rural Damascus and 9 locations in the rural suburbs of Lattakia and Tartous governorates.

The traditional handmade carpets cooperatives were established to economically empower the women in the rural areas inside Syria. During an IOM cash-for-work project in rural Lattakia in 2015, the IOM team found out about a business of handmade carpet cooperatives. In coordination with the local partner, the team assessed the impact of the crisis on the carpet business with results demonstrating the negative consequences of the crisis on the affected population, and especially displaced women and their livelihood. This project plans to address the increasing unemployment rate in Syria which reached an estimation of 57% with almost 3 out of 4 Syrians living in poverty. 

Firstly, IOM, in cooperation with local partners, identified 13 localities with cooperatives that are eligible for assistance in Rural Damascus, Lattakia, and Tartous governorates. Secondly, 270 vulnerable women were selected for livelihood support in the targeted localities. Afterwards, IOM organized a business start-up training where the participants received training on micro-business management, the ethics of setting up a micro-business, and how to prepare and draft a business plan. Additionally, IOM supported the vocational training conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs by providing the required training tools: stationary and raw materials necessary for the training. Meanwhile, IOM also organized a workshop for Good Governance Support aiming to enhance the business’s model and infrastructure to maintain the cooperative workers’ rights, performance and dignity.

Out of the 13 cooperatives, the project rehabilitated three in Al Haffeh, Bremanet Al Mashayyek and Al Bahlolya in addition to maintaining the looms and production equipment. Moreover, the cooperatives were all provided with wool and cotton yarns to help 170 women continue producing inside the cooperatives. As for the 100 women who are only able to work at home, they received carpet toolkits including individual looms, raw materials and accessories.

Overall, the Handmade Carpet Project contributes to the recovery of a traditional profession, not only by creating employment opportunities for the participants, but also through linking the newly established microbusinesses and cooperatives with the suppliers of the raw materials and the markets in which the products can be sold through specialized NGOs like Al Rajaa Fund, to ensure deal flow and a sustainable carpet industry.

“I have two children. I am at the vocational training because I want to end the painful grief I’ve been suffering from since I lost my husband. I want to carry on… I want to support my children and provide them with a dignified and righteous life. Participating in this training is helping me recover to stand on my two feet again,” said Bushra, one of the trainees. “This project made me feel alive as I learnt a profession which will enable me to support my family and my community,” added another participant from rural Lattakia. The project utilized all the means necessary for the women to become more resilient and to be active citizens in their communities.

The Handmade Carpet Project was implemented through the generous support from the Government of Kuwait and the Government of Korea.