Women artisans in Elbasan preserve traditional crafts, recycle materials and repurpose confiscated assets

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Women artisans in Elbasan preserve traditional crafts, recycle materials and repurpose confiscated assets

© EU Delegation to Albania

"This is the first time I've had the opportunity to work within a community, which is important for socialization. I've always worked alone, focusing on spending as much time as possible with my daughter. Here, I work just four hours a day and can go home whenever necessary, adjusting my schedule to suit her needs," says Flutura Duraku, a woman in her 50s who started working seven months ago at My Tradition-Artisanal in Elbasan. This social enterprise preserves cultural heritage while employing women from vulnerable or marginalized groups, especially those from rural areas. Duraku, the mother of a blind daughter, is among the 16 women employed through the EU-funded project TWIST-Towards a New Social Entrepreneurship Model in Confiscated Assets in Albania.

The women artisans at My Tradition are trained and then employed to produce handcrafted items such as carpets, tablecloths, crochet bags, wallets, hats, gloves, and socks. Using traditional looms and local materials like sheep's wool, they have created a brand that appeals to both Albanian and international clients. Their products incorporate traditional Albanian motifs from Elbasan and other regions, as well as national symbols and seasonal designs like Santa Claus, aiming to cater to various audiences. Their workspace has been renovated and customized to provide the necessary working conditions.

With a sparkle in her blue eyes as she works on a small bag, Duraku shares that she and her daughter recently graduated together with degrees in Economics, overcoming their challenges and empowering themselves through education.

Daniela Shabani, age 27, is one of the newer recruits who has just learned to work with the loom. "I've learned different techniques, and I really enjoy being able to do what the experienced artisans do and getting to know this ancient tradition. At first, I saw it as a job opportunity, but now, it's so much more. It requires commitment and attention, but I have both," Shabani says enthusiastically.

For another employee, Flutura Shtami, the first day at work was daunting. "I thought it would be very difficult to learn, but within a week, I was confident and could complete several steps almost independently. We received great help from the experienced artisans who shared the secrets of the craft. When I see the final product, I feel proud and think to myself, 'I did it,'" says Shtami, who also cares for her brother, who suffers from physical limitations due to an accident as an emigrant.

Women from diverse backgrounds have come together here to preserve traditional crafts while supporting their families, despite the challenges they face. Smiling and sharing their stories of resilience, they teach us not to give up. The social enterprise is more than a workplace; it's a space for conversation, reflection, and the continuation of tradition, while also promoting environmental awareness.

"This is a place that supports disadvantaged groups, but we also strive to be environmentally conscious. We collect and recycle old clothes, turning them into bags or carpets. We've organized sessions with school children to raise awareness about recycling, and some of them have even brought us their old clothes," says Saimir Bakalli from Joscelyn, the foundation managing the enterprise, which focuses on youth, education, child protection, and empowerment.

The enterprise's motto, "Support a woman in need and empower a child," captures the essence of their work. By preserving traditions, recycling materials, and producing handmade goods, they create opportunities for those facing greater challenges, and by purchasing these products, the community can help support families in need.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

"TWIST-Towards a new social entrepreneurship model in confiscated assets in Albania", is a three-year project funded by EU, which aims to contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of social entrepreneurship as a potential practice for increasing social reuse of confiscated assets from organized crime and as an effective model of inclusive economy/social business to provide services, skills, employment, and support to vulnerable groups, such as victims of organized crime. It is trying to enhance CSOs capacities to an effective engagement in the decision-making process with local and national institutions and as a civic tool to prevent and fight organized crime at local, national and European level.