Cyprus

Sewing co-operative

By Refugee Support Europe

Registered Charity

Sewing co-operative

Executive Summary

There are over 25,000 refugees in Cyprus with scarce resources and very few opportunities to earn an income. We created a Dignity Centre in June 2019 where they can come and get access to opportunities and resources that will help them rebuild their lives. 

The sewing cooperative grew from a grass roots desire to repair clothes and express themselves. It soon became clear there was a huge amount of talent and desire to create products that people around the world would like to buy. 

And Refumade was born.

Using donated sewing machines, and material that we buy locally, our 30+ co-operative members are carefully hand-making unique and desirable items. Once they pass our rigorous quality control, we buy everything the members produce at about 80% of the sale price.

Impact Indicators

People: Social Impact

Number of Lives Impacted:

100

Gender:

Female

Age:

0-3, 4-11, 12-17, 18-25, 26-40, 41-60

Employment Status:

Self-employed

Accessibility:

-

Location:

Urban


Planet: Environmental Impact

Land:

Urban

Water:

-

Air:

-


Topic and Activity Grid

Topics

 

Migration & Refugees

Education & Training

Community Engagement

Advocacy

Catalysing

Convening

Goods Provision

Infrastructure Provision

Services Provision

Research & Development

Raising Awareness

Training


Geography

Country:

Cyprus


Project Outcome Indicators

Short Term:

— Regular income

All members receive an additional, sustainable source of additional disposable income based on how much they choose to produce

— Sense of purpose and belonging

The cooperative members feel that they have a safe space where they can come, spend time, share with a support group and have a regular activity in their lives that gives them some structure and a sense of purpose

Long Term:

— Secure regular employment

They gain the skills and experience that will enable them to get secure and stable skilled work in Cypriot society

— Improved mental health

The experience of being a member reduces feelings of depression and apathy and increases feelings of hope and optimism


Activities:

People can buy what they produce from our dedicated online shop https://refumade.org/.  We run 3 sewing classes a week in order to improve people’s skills and ensure our products are the best quality. Experienced tailor Ba, a refugee from Guinea Bissau, manages the co-operative and advises members on their technique.

We need investment now to set up the cooperative in a dedicated workshop space with better machinery, bigger stock of raw materials and more efficient shipping.

Partnership


Updates

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Project Budget:

£57,750

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Timeline:

3 years

Direct Commitment Ratio:

91.34%

Project to Org. Size Ratio:

16.84%

Needs Intensity Meter

Global intensity meter
4 0 10
In-country intensity meter
4 0 10

How does this work?

SDGs

Goal 1: No Poverty

This goal focuses on the poor and vulnerable, and aims to: reduce the population living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions, build a policy environment that is supportive of the poor and vulnerable, ensure that the poor and vulnerable have equal rights to economic resources and basic services, land & property, and reduce their exposure to the risks of economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

This goal focuses on all areas of food access, nutrition, agricultural productivity, sustainable production and consumption systems, and fostering a resilient ecosystem to shocks and disasters by promoting the diversity of crops. In addition it promotes investment in rural infrastructure, makes a commitment to addressing trade issues, and to oversee a functioning food commodity market.

Goal 3: Good Health And Wellbeing

This goal covers all aspects of health and wellbeing from infant mortality to effective service provision to those suffering from substance addiction. There are special commitments to ensuring access to affordable healthcare, the development of disease treatment, cure and prevention, and to strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction and management of global health risks.

Goal 4: Quality Education

This goal seeks parity in access to education. There is specific focus on areas of early years development, and throughout the educational landscape, from literacy and numeracy to technical and tertiary education. There is a specific mention of upgrading educational infrastructure to be fully inclusive in terms of gender, disability and culture, offering bursaries and scholarships to address imbalances, and also to ensure high quality training and supply of educators.

Goal 5: Gender Equality

This goal seeks to end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. There is a specific focus on violence, trafficking and other types of exploitation, as well as a recognition of unpaid care work, provision of basic public services, and full reproductive and sexual rights. In the spirit of equality of access and opportunity, there is a workplace leadership and economic element, as well as the creation of an empowering policy environment for women and girls at all levels.

Goal 6: Clean Water And Sanitation

This goal champions universal and equitable access to water and sanitation for all people. There is an element around hygiene promotion, efficiency of use, championing the building and maintenance of appropriate infrastructure and technologies, and building strong international partnerships to ensure equality and sustainability of water and sanitation services worldwide.

Goal 7: Affordable And Clean Energy

This goal focuses on access to energy in a way that is modern, affordable, sustainable and reliable. There is also a commitment to promote and expand the share of energy production by renewable means, championing research and investment into energy efficiency and technologies, and ensuring that the infrastructure and technology has the capacity to support these aims, especially in developing countries.

Goal 8: Decent Work And Economic Growth

This goal covers all aspects of sustainable economic growth and providing full and productive, decent work for all people. The goal is progressive in its promotion of development-oriented policies around entrepreneurship and job creation, resource efficiency, and an end to forced labour and slavery. There’s also a special consideration to reducing the unbanked population, and promoting an integrated strategy around the future of work and the employment of young people.

Goal 9: Industry Innovation And Infrastructure

This goal supports the building of infrastructure and innovations to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. The focus is on equality of access to economic development within countries, regions and across borders. There is specific promotion of research and development of technologies both in country and cross-border, and in turn increase access to connectivity, information and communication through access to the internet.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

This goal seeks to reduce inequality within and among countries, in terms of economic, social, and political inclusion. There is a commitment to achieve and sustain the income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population at a rate higher than a national average, reduce and eliminate discriminatory laws and practices, monitor international financial markets, encourage development assistance and financial flows, from nation states to individuals in the form of remittances.

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities And Communities

This goal pertains to the urban environment in terms of safety, sustainability, respect for heritage, environmental considerations, and the connectivity between urban, peri-urban and rural settlements and areas. Specifically, ensuring that cities are safe, inclusive and of net benefit to its inhabitants, the wider population, and the planet as a whole.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption And Production

This goal promotes the move towards sustainability of consumption and production on a national and global scale, and covers everything from transparency and clarity on consumer choice, to the sustainable management of waste from industrial production. This Goal specifically looks at influencing businesses (through recommendation and policy) to incorporate sustainability into their procurement, staffing, and reporting, such that sustainability is embedded in the consumption and production cycle.

Goal 13: Climate Action

This goal covers all aspects of addressing and combating climate change. From strengthening resilience of populations at risk of natural disasters and climate based hazards, to education at a human and institutional level on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

Goal 14: Life Below Water

This goal encompasses all elements of the protection, restoration and sustainable use of our oceans, seas and marine resources. With an emphasis on reducing marine pollution, increasing the resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems, research on and minimisation of marine acidification, and sustainably managing water-reliant economies to ensure biodiversity while also ensuring fair work and income for those dependent on the oceans.

Goal 15: Life On Land

This goal encompasses all elements of the protection, restoration and sustainable use of our terrestrial ecosystems. This includes a commitment to protecting forests, creating a coherent plan against soil degradation, desertification, and the destruction of habitats of flora and fauna, all of which are critical to biodiversity and sustainable development. This is to be encouraged at a policy level, with a commitment to mobilise resources (financial and non-financial) to enable this conservation.

Goal 16: Peace, Justice And Strong Institutions

This goal focuses on the promotion, development, and maintenance of strong institutions to ensure peace, justice, and inclusion in society. This is detailed as promoting transparency, reducing crime in all forms including terrorism, violent and financial crimes, ensuring every individual is provided a legal identity and has equal and fair access to these institutions.

Goal 17: Partnerships For The Goals

This goal promotes working together, which will strengthen the means of implementation from a local to a global level to achieve sustainable development. Specifically the partnerships are divided into financial, technological, capacity-building, trade, policy and institutional coherence, including multiple stakeholders, and monitoring and accountability. By partnering on any or all of these bases will assist in the reliable achievement of the other 16 Goals.

Five Pillars Graph:

How does this work?

Your project is addressing the following pillars:

People

An end to poverty and hunger in all their forms and dimensions. A world where all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality, and in a healthy environment.

Planet

Protecting the planet from degradation, creating cycles of sustainable consumption and production, management of natural resources and taking action on climate change. This is all to ensure the planet can support the needs of present and future generations.

Prosperity

Fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies that are free from fear and violence. This is a necessary state for sustainable development.

Peace

Ensuring that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives, and that technological, social and economic progress occurs in harmony with nature.

Partnership

To mobilise the means required to achieve the other four impact themes, through including the participation of all countries, stakeholders and people.

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