Project

Income Generating Proposal

Home
Resume
Proposal
Pictures
Contact me

Proposal for Small Scale Income Generating Project

About myself and my proposal:

My name is Zeevic and I am an artist. I was born in Israel in 1957. Since 1978, I have volunteered mostly in developing countries (e.g. India, Africa and Mexico) working in different fields including the establishment of Small Scale Income Generating Projects.

I worked with underprivileged groups, training them in manufacturing arts and crafts products using scrap materials and following sustainable development guidelines. I was responsible for the following aspects: design, training, quality control, introducing new products, marketing etc.

In this stage of my life I would like to use my experience in a job by joining an umbrella organization supporting community development projects. Under such an arrangement I would be able to establish self-sufficient ecologically aware Income Generating Projects in different places and countries. If possible, I wish to join the organization as a volunteer for the first year (conditions negotiable), with the option to become a long-term volunteer.

My Proposal:

The proposal and all its aspects are based on my first hand experience.

Objectives:

Establishment of an ongoing self-sufficient small scale income generating projects consisting of local community members.

Rehabilitation and empowerment through maximizing employment.

Maximum Sustainable development production as locally possible.

Improvement of skills and product quality.

Helping achieve economical independency, artistic abilities, initiative, self confidence, integrity and more.

Integrating local traditional designs, techniques and symbols in all stages of process.

Marketing Developmentlocal and overseas.

Practicalities:

In order to establish a long term self-sufficient small scale industry projects I offer to plan and practice the following steps in every place that I’ll be sent to:

A. Survey and Design:

Survey of local arts and crafts production in the area in order to use existing local skills and create attractive new products.

Survey of local available waste materials in order to avoid any dependency on outside supply.

Design and creation of various product samples based on local skills and techniques while using local waste material.

B. Training and Empowerment:

Training the local group in making the aforementioned designed samples; teaching new techniques; introducing new marketable items; an ongoing education for ecological awareness.

Training the group to identify and collect potentially useful waste (e.g. plastics bottles, cans and cardboard). Thus they become self sustained in regard of material supply.

C. Passing on responsibilities:

Gradual expansion of personal and group responsibilities such as preparation of materials, daily arrangement of workshop, cleaning before/after work day, etc.

During training, potential key figures will be appointed to fulfill different aspects of production process (e.g. good painters, talented designers, skillful figure sketcher etc.). Distributing long-term responsibilities among group members.

Appointment of a group member as controller and leader of production once the training is over.

D. Domestic Marketing:

After gathering some good quality samples made by the group the following steps should be followed:

Choosing one or two members to be trained in the marketing process and development. They learn all following steps and aspects.

Survey of local market, focusing on shops and galleries in the high-class tourist range (e.g. 5-stars hotels` souvenir shops, national museum shops, art galleries and resort shops).

All products should carry labels with the group logo along a notice such as "made by disabled", "community development products", "ecological", "environmentally safe", "recycled" etc.

Distributing the products’ samples in target shops.

Follow-up with shopkeepers and distributors regarding products (price, colors, finishing, size, etc.) in order to improve production and product variety.

Establishment of a selling shop either in or attached to the local project’s workshop. Shopkeepers will be recruited out of the producing group. Shoppers will be invited to watch production process in action.

Production planning - based mainly on concrete orders.

Expansion of local market by distributing products in shops of other community development projects in other local regions and exchange of useful marketing information.

E. Overseas Marketing:

Locating outlets and foreign customers such as international charity organizations, churches, and communities’ local initiatives. These will be gathered in various channels (Internet, foreign embassies, churches, bazaars etc.).

Creating an e-catalogue consisting of products’ photos and info (price, size, range, colors and estimated production time).

Shipping procedure: discount for orders above a certain amount; professional packaging (Thick padding if necessary); invoice included with the package contents.

An e-mail message should be sent to the buyer informing delivery of package including an inventory of the contents to be expected.

The shipment should be insured whenever required.

All marketing skills will be acquired either practically or through simulation.

F. Advertisement:

The project’s shop will be advertised in local and international tourist guides, publications and offices (Lonely Planet, local newspapers and tourist booklets, the tourist bureau etc.).

The products will be introduced as a community-based and ecological.

Leaflet:

A designed printed leaflet will include:

1. Information on the origin and history of the group.

2. The rationale for creating the group.

3. Photos of the group working and some of the products.

4. Emphasis on products' uniqueness (recycled, sand painted, disabled artist etc.)

Internet Site:

1. Launching a web site designed and created by either a local or foreign volunteer.

2. Website will include photographed e-catalogue as well as the aforementioned leaflet’s information.

Requirements:

In order to accomplish all the steps mentioned above, the organization needs to responsible for the following measures:

Gathering a group with the need for income generation.

The group must consist of about 16–20 individuals (male, female, young, old, able-bodied, or disabled). The grouping should be done with regard to local cultural standards of gender, age, religion etc.

Minimum 3 months stay and work in order to accomplish all the above mentioned stages.

Fair trade standards and regulations should be explained and maintained.

Explaining the group members the project’s goals as well as importance of commitment to project’s activities, full attendance and collaboration.

Minimal investment in order to purchase of materials such as water-based glue, paint, scissors, brushes etc.

Periodic routine checkups and guidance after completion of workshop.

After 6 months as a volunteer I’d like to sign a contract as a long-term volunteer valid after one year volunteering.

Range of Items:

Followed are Arts and crafts items that I designed and taught how to produce + materials:

Wall hangings - waste cloth and thread.

Mobiles - seeds, waste cloth, plastic, discs etc.

Christmas decorations - cloth, threads, cardboard, paper and mirrors.

Jewelry - pits, coconut shells, seeds, scrap wood, papier-mâché, scrap metal, woven fibers.

Relief pictures - cloth, bark, sand, papier-mâché.

Greeting Cards - cardboard, cloth, sand, bark, wood flakes and sawdust.

Animal souvenirs - papier-mâché, discarded plastic, cardboard

Figures and sculptures - papier-mâché.

Masks - papier-mâché and cardboard.

Rattlespapier-mâché, discarded plastic containers.

Arts and crafts items I designed:

Hand woven TextilesI designed patterns and color combination for hand loom garments (e.g. table cloths, bags and kitchenware) and tapes from which a variety of products are made.

Bags - made of woven natural fibers.

Lamp shades - scrap cloth, woven natural fibers.

Belts - woven natural fibers and coconut shells.

Paper weightsdecorated pebbles and stones.

Cross-culture abilities:

As an artist, Westerner, outsider to local cultures, I can plan and improve the range of items that appeal to Western tourists while still keeping the local cultural authenticity.

I have a very simple life style.

I adapt easily and am flexible as far as food, accommodations, time demands, and routine. I have lived in almost any accommodation and conditions possible in developing countries.

I have lived, successfully worked, volunteered with and trained people of various origins, genders, religions, backgrounds, ages, abilities and disabilities.

I interact with locals and lead them based on friendship and equality.

I have had my share of illnesses (malaria, dysentery, hepatitis A etc.) and am not afraid and partly immune.

I am single and there for free of family obligations.

I have traveled a lot. I move, get oriented and settle easily and quickly.

I speak, read, and write English (with spelling mistakes).

I speak and understand Spanish.

I am quick to catch on to the local language and dialect.

I am a vegetarian, so my food is cheap, and it is usually available and simple.

I have worked with and within conventional institutes and organizations, so I know how to fit in and cooperate.

I have led training and worked with multidisciplinary teams and organizations.

I love nature and appreciate time off apart from work. However, I would rather be away from rainy places and the rainy season if possible. I currently live in the desert, I love the desert, and I can easily stand hot weather.

I dress simply and take into consideration local dress codes and traditional concepts.

I am very honest and direct. I find it difficult to reconcile when cheated.

I have many reference letters that can be sent on request.