Local fundraising example:
Palestinian crafts connecting women producers with global solidarity networks

Summary

Many Palestinian women artisans work from their homes or within small groups and have strong skills in embroidery, straw work, and other traditional crafts. However, their access to regular and sustainable markets, especially outside Palestine, remains limited.

Dalia Association developed a model that connects Palestinian women producers with individuals, organisations, and solidarity networks around the world, turning the purchase of Palestinian products into a form of direct economic solidarity.

Dalia currently works with around 15 women producers from across Palestine, many of whom also work with wider groups of women. One example is Abir Brijeh, who works with a network of around 50 women involved in embroidery.

Dalia coordinates orders, collects products, organises payments, communicates with buyers, and manages shipping outside Palestine. During this year, Palestinian crafts reached buyers in the United States, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Canada, generating at least USD 20,000 in sales for women producers and the groups they work with.

One important partnership is with the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) in the United States, which purchases Palestinian crafts and products and sells them through Shop Palestine. Dalia has also developed relationships with individuals and solidarity groups, including the Kinvara Palestine Solidarity Group in Ireland.

Many of these relationships have developed into repeat purchases, helping women plan production more confidently and distribute work among a larger number of women.

Tips and lessons learned

1. Solidarity can go beyond donations. Purchasing Palestinian products can create a fair economic relationship that directly supports women’s income and local livelihoods.
2. Long-term relationships are more valuable than one-time sales. Repeat buyers provide women with more predictable opportunities and help them plan future production.
3. Coordination and logistics matter. Many small producers cannot access international markets alone, so support with communication, payments, order coordination, and shipping is essential.
4. One producer can create opportunities for many others. Working through women who are connected to wider groups can multiply the impact and create income opportunities at community level.
   
   

Review by Wilde Ganzen Foundation

The Dalia Association supports Palestinian women artisans, not only through training but also by providing practical assistance. Among other things, Dalia handles quotations, shipments and payments for the groups they work with. This enables the women artisans to plan their production more effectively and fosters long-term relationships with regular customers. Especially for small producers this type of support is essential.

Details

Short description of the organisation the funds were raised for

Dalia Association is a community foundation that realizes our rights as Palestinians to control our resources for our own durable development for generations to come. Our mission is to mobilise and properly utilise resources necessary to empower a vibrant, independent, and accountable civil society, through community-controlled grant-making. Our community development approach focuses on the ecological, local economy, social and cultural dimensions. 

Results

Accounting details

At least USD 20,000 in sales during the year.