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From August to December 2025, 38 young aspiring artisans took part in an intensive bag production training programme delivered by Assopellettieri, in partnership with MITA – Made in Italy Tuscany Academy – and implemented with ITC’s Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The programme is part of the newly launched MITA and Assopellettieri–Alliance, a long-term partnership created to place training at the heart of the leather goods sector’s future, in Italy and abroad. Through custom-made courses and innovative training models, the collaboration aims to encourage the growth of specialist skills in the leather goods fashion system – guaranteeing concrete opportunities for employment while helping companies find qualified resources. The Nairobi training is their first international programme, implemented with the generous material donations of Vivienne Westwood and the support of the Salesian Houses in Nairobi, collaborations that made the training possible on the ground.
EFI’s activites in Kenya are funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
Four months at the bench
Conceived and coordinated by Assopellettieri, the project’s technical and educational management was entrusted to MITA, whose team designed the course, selected the trainers and managed its logistics while also supervising placement within companies.
The workshop was designed to respond directly to the needs of the global leather goods sector while remaining rooted in the Kenyan context. With a long-standing tradition of craftsmanship and access to raw materials through local livestock industries, Kenyan leather production offers opportunities for youth and women to build careers, create businesses, and participate in global markets.
Over four months, participants developed technical and creative competencies across the full bag production process. The 13 course modules covered everything from models and drawings analysis, to leather cutting, skiving, splitting, colouring, embossing and quality control. By December, each participant had produced three different types of high-quality bags meeting professional standards. By combining traditional techniques with international design and quality standards, the training aims to position leather as a driver of inclusive economic growth and professional empowerment within Kenya’s fashion sector.
This ambition was reflected in the personal trajectories already taking shape among the trainees. For many, the programme opened new professional horizons. Buyinza Joshua Joel describes confidence as one of its most tangible outcomes:
“The skills that I have been taught give me the confidence to start my own business. They have provided me with the creativity to design my own products and practical skills that can open more channels for future career opportunities in fashion and craftsmanship.”
Community and collaboration
Beyond technical skills, the programme created space for learning how to work collectively, through the early introduction of teamwork and team leader roles to help manage the workflow.
Twenty-two-year-old trainee Esther Ruharara, a former Congolese refugee who has lived in Kenya for seven years, points to collaboration as one of the most transformative dimensions of the programme. Initially challenged by working with peers from diverse backgrounds, she progressively developed stronger communication and problem-solving skills through structured teamwork, learning to focus her objectives and recognise collaboration as a professional strength rather than an obstacle.
For others, the impact extends into community and artistic life. Veronica Achieng describes the training as part of a broader creative and social vision. “I will integrate leather into my creative practice, from functional design to wearable art,” she shares. “I would love to build a sustainable business with my husband, teach others, and create opportunities in my community. This adds depth to my identity as an artist and expands how I tell stories through craft.”
The beginning of a professional journey
From the trainers’ perspective, the pace of learning stood out. Beyond technical progress, the programme also marked the beginning of a longer-term exchange between Kenya and the Italian leather goods sector.
Reflecting on the programme’s broader significance and its next phase, Past President and Special Member of the General Council of AssoPellettieri, Riccardo Braccialini, describes the Kenyan training as an inspiring and deeply enriching first chapter for everyone involved. He highlights the value of transferring skills to motivated young people and notes how powerful education can be when it creates real opportunities while fostering exchange between contexts.
“The training experience in Kenya has been inspiring and deeply enriching for everyone involved. We are now preparing for the next step of the project: the training placements in Italy. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Vivienne Westwood, whose generous material donations made the courses possible, to the Salesian Houses for their hospitality, and to ITC and EFI for their essential role in launching this project. A special acknowledgement also goes to MITA – Made in Italy Tuscany Academy, our training partner, whose expertise ensured an excellent learning programme and a strong, continuous collaboration throughout all phases of the project. The experience in Kenya represents an innovative and valuable model, showing how leather craftsmanship can drive sustainable development and cultural exchange.”
Speaking as an entrepreneur, MITA instructor Filippo Migliacci adds that the trainees are already operating at a level where they could support a professional workshop environment. “If I were to open a workshop in Nairobi today, I could rely on them to start the operation.” At the conclusion of the programme, three top-performing trainees were selected for a three-week advanced training placement at the premises of an Assopellettieri member company in Europe — a valuable opportunity to apply their skills in a professional production setting and strengthen international exchange.
As Antonella Vitiello, General Director of the ITS MITA Foundation, underlines, this type of programme plays a vital role in building a sustainable fashion ecosystem that supports local talent, strengthens skills, and connects cultural heritage with innovation:
“The Ethical Fashion Initiative exemplifies the significant impact that a well-structured programme can have on Kenya's fashion industry. By providing a platform for local talent, promoting cultural heritage, fostering skill development, and advocating for sustainability, the programme has transformed the landscape of fashion in Kenya, enabling it to thrive and gain international recognition.”
ABOUT
ASSOPELLETTIERI is the Italian association representing manufacturers of leather goods. Its mission is to promote, protect and support the interests of Italy’s leading leather goods companies. Founded in 1966, the association has long been the voice of a strategic national industry worth approximately €12 billion, comprising highly skilled small and medium-sized enterprises, luxury brands and manufacturing companies. The association promotes internationalisation, protects the value of Made in Italy worldwide, and provides regular insights into fashion trends and key economic data for the sector.
ASSOPELLETTIERI also organises MIPEL, the leading international trade fair for leather goods and fashion accessories, held twice a year in Milan. For more than 60 years, MIPEL has served as a key meeting point for Italian and international companies, global buyers and the international press. Alongside its promotional activities, ASSOPELLETTIERI places strong emphasis on training and education, with the aim of safeguarding and passing on Italy’s renowned craftsmanship. Investing in young talent and specialised training is seen as essential to ensuring generational renewal and the long-term vitality of a sector that plays a significant role in Italy’s trade balance.
Mita, Made in Italy Tuscany Academy, is a professional Higher Technological Institute, an excellent school that promotes entry into the professional world and provides top-level education, supporting both students and companies in the fashion sector. Mita is an exclusive entity that supports the excellence of “Made in Italy,” the cultivation of Italian mastery, and Tuscany’s heritage on a national and international level. It trains cutting-edge professionals capable of entering a dynamic and ever-evolving industry.
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The Ethical Fashion Initiative is a programme of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
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