The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Nest, a non-profit connecting communities of artisans, retailers and philanthropies to build a new handworker economy, and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), have joined forces to launch a refugee artisan accelerator, which will support six impactful artisan enterprises employing refugees.

Made51, a global initiative launched by the U.N. Refugee Agency, offers refugees the opportunity to utilize their artisanal skills to rebuild their livelihoods. The project aims to identify six trailblazing social enterprises that employ refugee artisans, each from a different country of origin, to receive six months of customized business development and market access support.

The CFDA will lead a learning module on design and production that will culminate in a virtual showcase whereby the refugee artisan businesses will be presented to all CFDA member designers to increase awareness and interest in sourcing opportunities. Nest will also facilitate a capsule collection with at least one designer to help elevate and amplify the social impact the business is making.

The program follows an ambitious timeline, with business development support beginning this fall, followed by product development and production for a design collaboration in winter and spring 2025, respectively. The launch of the design collaboration is scheduled for World Refugee Day in summer 2025.

Photo: Saadiya (left), a Sudanese refugee woman in South Sudan who specializes in beadwork.