Handmade by Friendship Bridge® continues to create meaningful change, one artisan, one community, and one beautiful handmade product at a time.

Friendship Bridge is pleased to announce that its handicrafts program, Handmade by Friendship Bridge® , has been certified by the Fair Trade Federation . This accreditation recognizes the program's commitment to fairness, ensuring that artisans and producers receive fair wages, work under ethical conditions, and operate according to principles of sustainability.

The Fair Trade Federation is a community of businesses and organizations committed to ethical, equitable, and sustainable trading practices. Its mission aligns perfectly with that of Handmade by Friendship Bridge® : to empower Guatemalan artisans and preserve textile traditions by creating economic opportunities that strengthen their skills, enabling them to build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.

This certification was obtained after a rigorous process of eight months, during he which he program team crafts He/She fulfilled with standards of transparency, ethics, conditions safe working conditions and respect for the cultural identity of the products, among other key requirements.

“Being part of this federation is a testament to the integrity of our job and of the impact we are achieving. This certification assures our clients, strategic partners, and, most importantly, our artisans, that Handmade by Friendship Bridge® this deeply committed to fair wages, ethical production, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, it reinforces our mission and open new opportunities of growth, visibility and trust

"within the global fair trade movement," said Sussan Hrozek, Senior Coordinator of the Handicrafts Program.

The Handmade by Friendship Bridge® program aims to develop the crafting skills and technical capabilities of women artisans, connecting them with buyers and key organizations, helping them expand their businesses and strengthen the economies of their homes and communities. Currently, this initiative supports 33 women artisans in the departments of Sololá, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, and Quiché .

Between the main advances of the program HE They find:

●      Creation of further of 500 new designs of products.

●      Development of a special collection called Beading Wonders, a project designed to showcase Mayan culture, in which the artisans worked an average of 76 hours on each piece. This project helped to enhance the technical skills, creativity, and sense of innovation among the participating artisans.

●      Sale and shipping of products to markets international, stores and museums that They promote fair trade and cultural preservation.

● + 145 hours of training provided to more than 130 artisans, providing learning on trends, best practices in sewing, jewelry and knitting, finance and legal requirements for entrepreneurs and technical assistance for special projects.

●      Implementation and improvement of processes of sustainable production.

● + 1300 baby hats produced and delivered to babies in need at the Escuintla Regional Hospital in Guatemala, thanks to the support of the Rotary Club of Novato (California).

In 2024, the program produced more than 30,000 pieces for local and international markets. with sales in the United States (primarily), Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Turkey, and Australia . Thanks to this work, more than 1,000 jobs were created during the year, contributing to the economic and social development of the participating communities.