Program for the Eradication of Informality Among Artisans

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Template:Project HELP Program for the Eradication of Informality Among Artisans
Community Name:	Benin
Country:	Benin
Volunteer(s) Name:	S Schwartz
Volunteer(s) Homestate:	Washington
Funds community contributed:	855
PPCP #:	680-168
Year of project approval:	2008
Projects started in Benin 2008 (3).
Library and Computer Center, Program for the Eradication of Informality Among Artisans, Small Enterprise Development - Benin
Other Projects in Benin (21).
Abomey Secondary School Renovation and Addition, Ballin' in Benin, Construction of Food Processing Center, Craft Workshop for Women's Local Language Literacy School, Girl's Leadership Camp, Girls Leadership Camp, Girls' Internships, Gouka Well Construction, Library Book Project, Library and Computer Center, Literacy Initiative, Malanville Sports Center, Program for the Eradication of Informality Among Artisans, Rent the Books, Revitalizing Agricultural - Animal Husbandry Training Center … further results
Other Projects by Volunteers from Washington (16).
Zane Baldwin, John Brown, Camp GLOW South Africa 2004, Camp Unity: Promoting Diversity and Tolerance in Ukraine, Captain Planet Ecological and Education Fair Panama, Chiundaponde Construction of Library and Resource Center, Mozambique volunteers, Volunteers who served in Mozambique, Garden Irrigation System, Athena Glubrecht-Sartin, Tom Graham, Grain Bank (Niger), Kirovograd Oblast Resource Center, Nancy Maynard, Ron Newark … further results
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Info about the Program for the Eradication of Informality Among Artisans

Citing the lack of access amongst local artisans to pre-existing artisan support services, this request for funding will help just over 100—approximately half the membership of the eight trade associations and one-third of the total number of artisans in the district—obtain the simple government-issued identification card needed to formalize and expand their respective businesses. Possession of an ID card opens up access to a variety of artisan support organizations and ministerial programs including equipment loan programs, export-import development opportunities, reasonably priced short and long-term credit options, and continuing technical education.

Over the course of the volunteer’s service, he has encountered numerous artisans who have sufficient understanding of business fundamentals including accounting, marketing, business planning and credit management. What they lack is access to the types of business services that normally motivate one to execute on these competencies and move past the informal way things have always been done.

This program provides bridge financing to break the cycle of informality, and relies on very public group administrative activity to streamline and expedite the process. The goal of this project is to provide equal access to artisan support programs for all artisan trade association members in the district.