WKCC (Western Kgalagadi Conservation Corridor) Craft Project

DELIVERABLES

The following outputs will be delivered by Montebello Design Centre PROD Programme:

1.      An inception report outlining a detailed project and implementation plan.

2.      A supply agreement with at least one source of raw materials.

3.      A minimum of thirty crafters identified and trained in basic business skills.

4.      A minimum of thirty crafters identified and trained in product development and designs.

5.      A minimum of thirty crafters identified and trained on new ranges of products

6.      A brand developed for the products.

7.      A network of markets established for products in the region, South Africa and overseas.

8.      Relationships formed between crafters:

a.       their intellectual property licensed and

b.      Established links so that crafters can supply a component or part to another established crafter or manufacturers, who will incorporate it into their range of production and marketing.

9.      Development of an exit strategy to ensure independence and sustainability of the crafters beyond the end of this project.

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Clusters as proposed at this point. 

Cluster 1:

Ukwi, Ncaang, Ngwatle, Zutshwa

Custer 2:

Hunhunkwe, Monong, Maake

Cluster 3:

Bere, Kachae

Cluster 4:

Eastern Hanahai, New Xade

 

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PROJECT PLAN OUTLINE

We will do a re-con trip as laid out bellow, grouping the southern two clusters in the one visit, and the Northern Two clusters in another trip.

Process:

Trip 1:

Montebello Design Centre PROD Programme will do an initial trip to Botswana (see calendar bellow for proposed dates). The purpose of this is to establish the following in order to set the project and certain processes in motion:

  1. We will visit all the villages, and with the assistance of CI make contact with the crafters identified to participate.

  2. We will initiate the forming of a network and structure in the clusters, so that over the progress of the project the clusters can be formalised, and so that a communication channel is established between Montebello Design Centre PROD Programme, the clusters and CI.

  3. We will do an assessment on the ground of skills levels, access to materials, concerns about other role-players, and resources, infrastructure and networks for distribution of materials and products in and out of the region.

  4. we will try and identify a few “champions” in the clusters and communities, that have some capacity to maintain and co-ordinate the clusters and the “governing” body and can act as contact people/conduits in and out the region.

  5. We need to collect sample products and raw materials for product development, and establish what practically will be within the skills range of the crafters, so that we introduce products that are most appropriate for the environment, materials and processes.

  6. We need to establish the level of numeracy and literacy so as to adjust our teaching material around business skills accordingly. (we use methodologies that can teach completely illiterate people the concepts of business, costing and pricing, quality control and negotiation.)

  7. We will also establish venues for running the follow up workshops.

  8. we will set tentative dates with the clusters for training in the follow up trips.

  9. we will meet and network wit as many other role-players, service providers, NGO s, and possible local markets and offsets as possible, in order to tune the project in to the existing environment as much as possible to leverage as much advantage from it as we can, to meet our ends.

Between trip 1 and 2, Montebello Design Centre PROD Programme will:

1.      work on product development,

2.      a marketing strategy,

3.      establishing brand concepts to present to the clusters

4.      establish links with  potential craft producers to link to the project

5.      establish links with retail and agents, and formulate design briefs from their market feedback to assist with product development.

6.      we will formulate and submit a progress report to CI and stakeholders on the budget and progress to date.

Trip 2:

Montebello Design Centre PROD Programme will return on the second trip to start intense training:

  1. we will visit the 1st set of clusters and do training in business skills,

  2. transfer the product designs developed,

  3. address manufacturing and quality control issues, including packaging and shipping.

  4. we will continue to foster the relationships with local markets and role-players in Botswana.

  5. we will continue to work with the crafters on defining the brand, name etc.

  6. we will continue the formation of the cluster structures

  7. we will make them aware of their Intellectual Property rights as a culture, and as individual artists, and the possibilities to protect it.

Between trip 2 and 3, Montebello Design Centre PROD Programme will:

  1. continue work on product development,

  2. continue the marketing strategy,

  3. Finalise brand concepts to present to the clusters for final “sign off” on third trip.

  4. Continue to establish links with potential craft producers to link to the project, and formalise the connection/relationship, including IP agreements that would also acknowledge the brad and source of the components/materials down the value chain.

  5. Continue to foster links with markets outside Botswana, retail and agents, and formulate design briefs from their market feedback to assist with product development.

  6. we will formulate and submit a progress report to CI and stakeholders on the budget and progress to date.


Trip 3:

Montebello Design Centre PROD Programme will return on the second trip to start intense training:

  1. we will visit the 2nd set of clusters and do training in business skills,

  2. transfer the product designs developed,

  3. address manufacturing and quality control issues, including packaging and shipping.

  4. we will continue to foster the relationships with local markets and role-players in Botswana.

  5. we will present the final brand to the crafters and explain the use, benefit and rights to it, and how to get the most benefit from it, and how to protect it.

  6. we will finalise the formation of the cluster structures

  7. we will, if we deem it appropriate, bring Mr Roger Chennells, as a representative of the communities rights, to do a small workshop on IP, this will enforce their understanding of their Intellectual Property rights as a culture, and as individual artists, and the possibilities to protect it. It is important that the community has representation from an independent 3rd party, someone in “their camp”. (funding does not allow for consultations beyond this intervention, and CI might want to look at this for the future)

  8. we will finalise work on the ground, and try and assure that communication channels are set up and is as reliable as possible.

After trip 3, till the end of December 2010, Montebello Design Centre PROD Programme will:

  1. continue supporting the marketing strategy,

  2. Continue to support the links with established-craft producers linked to the project, and formalise the connection/relationship, including IP agreements that would also acknowledge the brad and source of the components/materials down the value chain.

  3. Continue to foster links with markets outside Botswana, retail and agents, and assist with market feedback to assist with product development and refinement.

  4. we will formulate and submit a final report to CI and stakeholders on the budget and project.

1st Expedition up:


View Cape Town to Fraserburg in a larger map




View Fraserburg to Mafikeng in a larger map



View Mafikeng to Ganzi in a larger map


1st Expedition Down: 


View Ganzi to Hukunsi via Kang in a larger map



View Gaborone to Cape Town in a larger map


2nd Expedition Up:


View Cape Town to Verda in a larger map



View Verda to Ghanzi in a larger map


2nd Expedition Down: 


View Ganzi to Cape Town trip 2 in a larger map


 
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