Honduran artisans catalyzing economic revitalization (HACER) : final report and project evaluation -- [April 2001-September 2003]

Over its 2.5 year duration, HACER contributed to an increase in sales in handcrafted products of approximately US$614,000 for Honduran artisans, while generating 802 jobs in the artisan sector. Originally designed to be a 3-year project, HACER"s work is expected to generate an additional US$200,000 in sales in the 3-6 months remaining in that time frame, thus meeting or surpassing the original project goal of US$800,000. In addition, HACER worked with entrepreneurs, designers, exporters, artisans, and institutions working in the sector, strengthening the craft enterprises that will continue to generate jobs and incomes for Honduran artisans, while increasing sector coordination and awareness of Honduras as a source of innovative craft products. Through activities such as product design and development, trade show participation, buyer trips, market- readiness training, production management and quality control workshops, and ongoing mentoring through the design and commercializing processes, HACER can be credited with providing much-needed support to catalyze the sector, surpassing all of the remaining project indicators originally established for the project. In total, the activities completed through HACER have benefitted more than 2,000 artisans in approximately 60 micro, small, and medium craft enterprises. This final report and project evaluation summarizes the work done in the HACER program, outlines constraints, as well as key success factors and lessons learned during the project, and evaluates the progress made toward stated project objectives. The report also outlines the needs that remain in the area of artisan enterprise development.