Who are we?


MARA Philanthropy is a charitable organization registered in France.
Our mission extends beyond providing relief to artisan communities affected by economic challenges, now also focusing on empowering the children of artisans.

We strive to offer recognition to artisans worldwide, fostering a sense of pride and stability within their families.

We bridge cultural and geographical divides by facilitating collaborations between designers, skilled craftsmen, and discerning buyers. MARA Philanthropy stands as a beacon of creative learning and heritage conservation, promoting cross-cultural understanding through conscientious consumption.

Our partnership with Arturo Erbsman Studio and Dreamlamp ensures that all funds received, whether through purchases or donations, directly support our projects. Together, we pave the way for a brighter future for artisans and their children, nurturing talent and preserving traditions for generations to come.

 
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Why now?

Largely self-organized, artisans in developing countries are part of a huge informal sector that is characterized by exploitation, low wages, and income insecurity. There is an urgent need to support the artisans, educate their children and ‘promote the handmade’ as a global call to action.

It is time to start rebuilding a more resilient creative economy, one where artisans can operate as partners.

« It is necessary because it encourages an intentional and actionable shift that transfers agency, power, and capital to local and indigenous communities and represents a slower, pro-people, and pro-nature approach that transcends geographies and definitions. » - British Council Creative Economy

  • Vision

    Artisan communities prosper by benefiting from the economic opportunities that sustained creative collaborations can provide.

  • Mission

    Supporting and enabling artisans via collaborations to preserve and strengthen their techniques, realize the value of their tradition and ensure their skills survive for the next generation.

  • Approach

    We work through a network of trusted on the ground partners who work with highly talented low-income artisan communities. Your purchase and donation will go towards sustaining their livelihood and encourage creative thinking in their children.

How we work?

We are set up to make funding available to high-impact community development projects. We drive philanthropic capital into creative projects offering long-term solutions that allow artisans to thrive. We currently focus on project areas - the Omo Valley (Ethiopia), Maasai Mara (Kenya), Aswan (Egypt), and Jaipur (India) - while supporting a broader portfolio of local partners.