By Line Didelot | Co-Founder, Fundraising Manager
In early 2023, ANKAA Project MKO embarked on the design of our new tailoring program. This comprehensive effort involved developing a curriculum in collaboration with potential employers, onboarding experienced teachers, and partnering with organizations that share our vision. The design phase laid the groundwork for a transformative educational experience.
In June 2023, we launched a pilot of the tailoring program to test our methodology and gather feedback. Ten women from diverse backgrounds, including Bangladesh, Benin, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Nigeria, Somalia, and Turkey, participated in the pilot. The pilot provided critical insights and validated our approach, paving the way for the full program rollout. By September 2023, we began another cycle for both beginner and advanced students.
In January 2024, we launched our Crafting Careers Program, incorporating necessary adaptations and adding an in-house paid internship for successful graduates. This program offers intensive sewing courses, coupled with employability sessions and Greek language classes. We saw 24 participants, with 19 successfully completing the program. These participants, from countries including Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DRC, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Greece, Iraq, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Ukraine, benefited from hands-on experience in ANKAA’s sustainable production lab and employability workshops conducted by ANKAA’s partner organizations.
Regular informal follow-up sessions were integral to our approach throughout the programs. These sessions aimed to measure skill acquisition, address challenges, and guide participants toward employment. We collaborated with partners to share job offers and support students in navigating job interviews and understanding their rights and obligations in the workplace. This support system ensured that participants were well-prepared for sustainable employment.
Overall, we have laid a strong foundation for our Crafting Careers Program, fostering social inclusion and sustainable livelihoods through education and ethical manufacturing. We look forward to launching another cycle of our Crafting Careers Program in September 2024, continuing our mission to support those affected by forced migration and unemployment.
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