Vceela’s COVID-19 Response
By: Akeel Khalid
Tags: Sustainability, Artisan, Sustainable Development, Covid 19, Craft

Vceela’s Response

We, at Vceela, believe that If we take the right steps and plan in the right direction, the signs of despondency for artisans will make way for resilience. Artisans will slowly adapt to the new normal and find positivity and new growth opportunities amid the crisis.

Our online sales at Vceela.com have been on a rise and we are getting an amazing response through digital channels. But since the future is unknown, we believe that there has to be a holistic strategy aimed at providing the work security for artisans across Pakistan.

We have been working closely with artisans from different product categories and different regions of Pakistan, and have devised a comprehensive 8 month plan with one aim — No one from our family of artisans goes out of work. Vceela is allocating Rs 10.4 million in support package to implement this plan and to ensure that these artisans are able to keep their small businesses afloat in these difficult times.

Salient Features of the Plan

The plan has been drawn up with one fundamental objective: No artisan goes out of work

Direct Cash Support: We are giving direct cash support to artisans where required. Though we feel that most of the artisans would not be needing cash support if they are able to make and sell their products, yet the cash support is being provided in case there is no immediate business relief.

We are giving direct cash support to artisans where required. Though we feel that most of the artisans would not be needing cash support if they are able to make and sell their products, yet the cash support is being provided in case there is no immediate business relief. Direct Purchase of products: Lock-downs and cancellation of exhibitions across Pakistan have severely affected sales for these artisans across different product categories. Many of these artisans prepare their stock for exhibitions. Retailers, wholesalers and fashions designers have also cancelled their orders. In this situation, we feel it is important to invest in purchasing the products directly from these artisans, so that they can continue with their work.

Lock-downs and cancellation of exhibitions across Pakistan have severely affected sales for these artisans across different product categories. Many of these artisans prepare their stock for exhibitions. Retailers, wholesalers and fashions designers have also cancelled their orders. In this situation, we feel it is important to invest in purchasing the products directly from these artisans, so that they can continue with their work. Digitalising the entire value chain: Since digital is the only channel available for these artisans to sell their products in current circumstances, and the future is still unknown, team Vceela is working to get artisans across Pakistan to access digital channels. We have quadrupled our capacity for digitizing the products and processes for these artisans and are investing heavily to speed up the entire process.

Since digital is the only channel available for these artisans to sell their products in current circumstances, and the future is still unknown, team Vceela is working to get artisans across Pakistan to access digital channels. We have quadrupled our capacity for digitizing the products and processes for these artisans and are investing heavily to speed up the entire process. Free marketing Support: Realizing that many of these micro entrepreneurs are not in a position to market their products, we are multiplying our efforts to get their brands and products in front of their target audience and are investing in helping them market their brands through various digital channels.

Realizing that many of these micro entrepreneurs are not in a position to market their products, we are multiplying our efforts to get their brands and products in front of their target audience and are investing in helping them market their brands through various digital channels. Digital exhibitions: As a replacement for physical exhibitions, which have been a major source of earning for many of these artisans, we ‘ll be doing digital exhibitions and helping them sell their products to local and international consumers.

As a replacement for physical exhibitions, which have been a major source of earning for many of these artisans, we ‘ll be doing digital exhibitions and helping them sell their products to local and international consumers. Access to raw material : Artisans are finding it really difficult to access raw materials to manufacture their products. We are helping them in getting access to these raw materials through our partners.

Artisans are finding it really difficult to access raw materials to manufacture their products. We are helping them in getting access to these raw materials through our partners. Micro finance / Access to credit: To purchase raw materials and to keep a minimum stock, we are giving these artisans access to small and micro loans. We are also keeping credit history for these artisans so that they can access the funds to keep their businesses up and running, whenever they are in need of such funds.

To purchase raw materials and to keep a minimum stock, we are giving these artisans access to small and micro loans. We are also keeping credit history for these artisans so that they can access the funds to keep their businesses up and running, whenever they are in need of such funds. Legal Identity : Since many of these artisans do not have a legal identity, they are usually not included in different government schemes and programmes. We are starting a legal campaign to get them their legal identity as formal workers. Recognition of home-based workers, through policies and laws, will be key in protecting them during adverse situations like the coronavirus pandemic.

Partnerships for progress

There’s only so much we can do alone. We strongly believe that partnerships are a key to helping us scale the impact of our solution. Therefore, we invite Government institutions, Mobile Network Operators, Microfinance institutions, Legal fraternity, Product designers, NGOs, Vocational Institutions, Multilateral Organisations and anyone who can relate to this cause, to join hands and become a part of our mission and help us scale the impact of our solution.

We would suggest that instead of giving cash handouts, the government should invest in the value added products these artisans are making. This will keep their businesses up and running. Government will get the investment back when these products are sold. It’ll be helpful in increasing the exports of Pakistan and putting Brand Pakistan on the map of the world. This will also help create thousands of new jobs and retain the old ones. Vceela can help in selling these products in local and international markets and give a data based insight to the government for doing so.

For Microfinance institutions, this is the right time to invest in the skill of these artisans. Access to credit can go a long way in helping these artisans stand on their own feet.

Mobile Network Operators can join hands with us to help us scale our movement aimed at rapid digitization of products and processes for these artisans.

One result of worldwide self-isolation will be a major increase in online buying instead of hands-on retail. Few craftspeople have the technical and economic resources or know-how to go online; those of us in the craft sector have to equip ourselves to help them.

NGOs and civil society initiatives will be able to absorb risks of slowdown, but for only some time. So, a holistic strategy is required to ensure that these artisans don’t go out of work

But, if this has to sustain, the ecosystem must act together. All the relevant stakeholders should come together to provide access to infrastructure, capacity building, providing liquidity and data intelligence to galvanize mass entrepreneurship and ensure that artisans do not go out of work.