Mercado Global Inc

Programs: Economic empowerment programour economic empowerment program provides fair wage employment to over 300 indigenous women in guatemala by connecting their artisan cooperatives with sales opportunities at major u. S. Companies. We educate women artisans on running community businesses including fair trade wages and rules, filing taxes, calculating costs, and opening bank accounts. We then set up sales orders with major international retailers so the artisans can immediately begin earning an income. Additionally, we provide tools such as floor looms and sewing machines through donor-funded microloans, and teach women how to use these advanced tools in technical training sessions.

women's leadership & well being program programin conjunction with our economic empowerment program, our community-based training program builds leadership skills, goal-setting, self-esteem, and conflict resolution skills among partner artisans. An in-house training coordinator holds recurring classes on these subjects and makes topics accessible for women with very low literacy levels who are learning to navigate business-ownership for the first time.

community partnership programwe seek to build mutual understanding and facilitate cultural exchange between artisan communities in guatemala and our supporter communities in the united states. Through the community partnership program, individuals from the u. S. Visit communities in guatemala to see the impact of their support. Likewise, our current and past staff, volunteers and supporters act as fair trade ambassadors within their communities in the u. S. Through speaking engagements, community events and other awareness-raising functions.

design a difference programas pioneers in the sustainable-sourcing movement within the fashion industry, we educate leading u. S. -based designers about responsible sourcing through our design a difference program. Designers from major u. S. Fashion houses come to our guatemalan office to work alongside our artisans and learn about the impact that sustainable production has in these communities. In turn, the designers extend their expertise in product design and development directly to our artisans. Upon returning to the u. S. , these designers are then able to share their knowledge and adopt sustainable practices within their companies. In this way we are reaching the people and institutions on the cutting edge of industry with first-hand experience empowering communities through responsible sourcing.