Afghanistan

Afghan men and women are rightly proud of their country’s rich history, traditions and cultural heritage, which are vibrantly represented in their artisan crafts. Traditional silk production methods in the region have been refined for centuries, in an organic process that spans both farming and fashion from silkworm rearing to garment making. The silk is sometimes dyed with saffron, a labour-intensive spice in high global demand that grows well in Afghanistan.

EFI supported artisans working in both silk and saffron value chains through the Ethical Lifestyle project, designed specifically to create economic opportunities for returning migrants and displaced people, and more generally to help improve the lives of the Afghan people. With funding support from the European Union, our interventions focused on growing value for artisans by expanding global market access and helping them meet stringent quality, health and safety standards for export.