Artijaan supports artisans

In countries experiencing difficult political and economic situations.
And finding themselves isolated from the international market.

A person using a chisel to carve or engrave a design into a wooden piece.

Two women, one in a white blouse and the other in a yellow hijab, are working on decorative pottery, with a partially painted bowl in their hands. They are seated on a multicolored woven rug.

Gold necklace with a pendant resembling an ancient coin, resting on beige fabric.

A woman wearing a light blue headscarf and a dark blue dress is sitting on a patterned carpet, holding a hoop embroidery project with colorful geometric designs.

9 Ancestrals crafts

Embroidery, Jewelry, Woodcarving, Glass-blowing, Ceramics, Rug-making, Tailoring, Wool-spinning, Beadsworks

Two people's hands working on a wooden loom, weaving fabric with white and yellow threads.

40+ artisans & 20 women’s network

We collaborate with more than 40 artisans across Afghanistan

An elderly person wearing a pink headscarf, working with a hammer and chisel on a piece of wood or stone in a workshop.

A white candle in a decorative ceramic holder with blue and brown patterns, placed on a white surface with gray background.

An elderly woman wearing a black embroidered headscarf and red shawl, standing outdoors near a weathered wall and blue door.

A woman with a teal headscarf and black top is painting a small wooden object with intricate multicolored patterns using a fine brush inside a room filled with wooden shelves and furniture.

A young man wearing green traditional clothing and a blue cap is sitting on the floor, holding a ceramic bowl in one hand and a container in the other. He appears to be making or decorating pottery, with stacks of finished pottery on a shelf behind him in a rustic setting.

Our artisans partners

Contemporary designs

Blue decorative boxes with a lid on a beige fabric surface.

Our shop

1000 indirect beneficiaries

A young boy smiling while riding a brown horse in a mountainous landscape, with a tree on the right side and a few distant people in the background.

A woman and a girl, both wearing colorful traditional clothing and headscarves, sit on the ground inside a tent with a young child lying in front of them. The scene appears to be within a refugee or shelter tent.

Person removing a loose thread from a colorful, patterned rug with a small tool.

A man sitting on the floor of a stone-walled room, heating a piece of glass with a blowpipe used for glassblowing.

Three green glass cups, one taller and narrower in the center, with sunlight casting shadows on a white surface.

A young girl with dark hair, wearing a colorful headscarf with floral patterns, a green floral dress, and a necklace. She has a slight smile and is standing beside a stone wall, with a blurred background.

A man standing indoors holding a tray with teapot, glasses, and bowls, wearing a dark long-sleeve shirt, with sunlight shining on him.

A calm river surrounded by rugged, rocky canyon walls with reflections of the cliffs on the water's surface.

Outline drawing of a dove holding an olive branch.

The origin of the project

A curiosity for exploring cultures and connecting worlds has been a passion for Artijaan co-founder and president Belinda Idriss ever since she was young.

We wanted to highlight the beauty and nuance that craftsmanship brings in countries affected by war or currently experiencing unstable political and economic context.”

– Belinda Idriss, Artijaan President and Co-founder

Three people sitting at a wooden table in front of a bookshelf in a room having a discussion. There are jewelry pieces and a cardboard box on the table.

We connect artisans in developing countries with conscious consumers in more economically developed countries.

In developing countries, the handicraft sector is the second largest employer after agriculture, yet many skilled traditional artisans lack access to markets, visibility and financing to secure their livelihoods.

At the same time, consumers in more economically developed countries are increasingly weary of mass-produced, soulless, environmentally unsustainable and unethically sourced products. Traditional artisans offer an alternative for those looking for unique, ethically-sourced, environmentally sustainable and superior quality products with a story and an individual identity to which they can emotionally connect.

Artijaan is the bridge between these two worlds.

We offer communities of artisans the opportunity to preserve the rich heritage of their traditional practices and be fairly remunerated for their work. And we also offer consumers the chance to connect with the stories and culture of the craftworkers, and the sense of satisfaction that comes from supporting ethical and sustainable production practices with a social impact.

Simple drawing of a dove holding an olive branch in its beak.

Our mission

Supporting artisans in global south countries.
Creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through the preservation and valorization of centuries-old craftsmanship.

Connecting traditional makers from around global south countries with conscious buyers throughout the world.

By creating and curating ethically handcrafted pieces, we want to share artisans’ stories and remarkable talents with you.

What makes Artijaan unique?

Group of women walking along a dirt trail through a mountainous desert landscape with sparse vegetation and utility poles.

On-site presence

Operate in a challenging and remote environment

Artijaan operates in and supports artisans from countries facing challenging political and economic conditions, often isolated from the international market.

A young boy in traditional clothing standing on a rocky hilltop, throwing a paper airplane into the sky over a sprawling city with mountains in the background during dusk.

Clear contribution

Create sustainable livelihood opportunities

Thanks to our partnership with ACTED, Artijaan contributes to support locals through craftsmanship training, providing them with autonomy and a fair income.