Leading the way for artisans

In 2022, artisan marketplace leader NOVICA and the International Trade Centre (ITC; the joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization) partnered to develop an Artisan Empowerment Hub in Central Asia to create opportunities for artisans in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

As a key aspect of this partnership, the Artisans Connect website was born! On these pages it is our honour to transport you on a virtual journey of discovery and enchantment, where you’ll explore the rich cultural heritage of this region and get to know talented artisans who bring ethically handcrafted gifts, jewellery, fashion, and home decor offerings to life. We hope that through this unique experience you'll fall in love with the beauty of Central Asia.

Central Asian handcrafts are a diverse and intricate reflection of the region's cultural heritage, combining elements from the Silk Road, Persian, Chinese, and Russian traditions. The region is particularly renowned for its exquisite textile work, ceramics, metalwork, and jewellery.

Funded by the European Union, the Ready4Trade Central Asia project is implemented by the International Trade Centre. It aims to contribute to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by boosting intra-regional and international trade in the region.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for artisans of the region who currently have limited access to international marketplaces that cater for the European and US markets. It opens up a whole new online sales channel for them and additionally enables them to benefit from NOVICA’s extensive product development and business support services,” explained Annabel Sykes, the ITC’s e-commerce and SME digital transformation expert.