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 has set up a 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.

Batur Bamboo
In Payangan village, under the shadow of Batur volcano in Bali, Soreana grew up in a peasant family of rice growers. He left school early for lack of money, and went to work in Tegallalang, a village famous on the Bali handcraft tourist circuit. Unhappy and poorly paid, he stuck it out till he mastered his craft, and returned home to Rayangan, hoping to build his own business.

In 1995, after marrying Nyoman, a silversmith from the same village, he opened a shop selling the crafts they both made to tourists on the way to the volcano. But the tourist trade was not enough to support them, so he had to sell to local wholesale buyers. As usual in the Bali handcraft business, he generally received inadequate payments or no payment at all, and the future began to look hopeless.

But through his shop he also met Mitra Bali, who recognized the quality of his work, and began working with him. Now he receives steady orders, both for silver and bamboo, from Mitra Bali’s overseas buyers. His business has begun to prosper, the couple now have a daughter, and he has adopted an orphaned nephew.