CAMBODIA

Artisans Association of Cambodia

In 1999, WRF teamed up with four autonomous groups all supporting the production and sales of artisan products by Cambodians with disabilities To achieve greater participation and AAC extended its mission to include groups working with other economically disadvantaged people, such as widows and rural poor.

Major Milestones

The AAC has grown from its 4 original members to 43.

The combined group sales currently exceeds US$1.8 million-

a marked increase from $442,000 in 2004.

There are over 1100 persons who are employed by these organizations and are benefiting from technical assistance in design, production methods, marketing, pricing and other areas.

The average earnings of the artisans are generally at least twice the national minimum wage.

The AAC currently exports its products to 9 countries outside of Cambodia, including countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Australia/New Zealand.

The AAC is a member of the International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT) and the Asia Fair Trade Forum (AFTF), as well as helping to found the Cambodian Fair Trade Forum.

In December 2007, the AAC reached a major milestone and became an independent entity and is active in Cambodia without any dependence on WRF.

Funding and support for the program was provided by the McKnight Foundation, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Human Security Trust Fund of Japan through UNMAS, United Nations Development Program and TraidCraft.