Made in Bali
In Bali, many small craft producers are missing out to large, well-established, commission-paying craft businesses in the ‘great Bali tourism bonanza’. Without direct access to the Bali transport network, it is difficult for small producers with little working capital to access these tourist markets. Yet the contribution of these artisans to the development of the island is substantial, and their artistic output represents the visible face of Balinese culture, which, ironically, helps to draw tourists and buyers to Bali.

To counter the marginalization of these producers, Mitra Bali works with around 100 small producer groups across the island, marketing their products both locally and internationally, to Fair Trade and commercial buyers. Mitra Bali pays a 50% advance on all orders, and introduces buyers to the producers so they can, if they prefer, work directly together.

In addition, Mitra Bali has set up an open access, free Design Centre for producers that provides a library, design consultants and workshops on new trends, technical production, health and safety, and environmentally sustainable production.

Made Lilik is a talented kite maker who began her career with a small commercial kite company in 1999. The company has suffered from the recent economic crisis, and in 2005, together with some friends, she left and formed her own business, diversifying into other products. With the help of Mitra Bali, she has begun selling a range of mobiles and kites to the Fair Trade market, providing steady employment for the nine artisans in her new workshop.