Fundación URDIR continues to promote the empowerment of Wichí women artisans in Alto La Sierra through a project that combines organizational training, product design, and cultural outreach. With a total of 40 artisans actively participating in the workshops, the impact of this initiative reaches over 200 people, and in some cases up to 400 indirect beneficiaries, thanks to the family ties of each participant.

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Organizational Strengthening: Enhancing the Group’s Management Capacity

 

One of the project’s first achievements was holding two sessions of the Organizational Strengthening workshop, where artisans worked to improve their organizational skills and promote collective work. These sessions explored the women’s development as a group of workers, analyzing their current strengths and challenges.

 

The goal was to create a space for dialogue and reflection on their evolution as a collective, helping them build a shared vision of their next steps and key priorities. Additionally, the sessions promoted the strengthening of collective practices and agreements around organizing their production processes.

 

Knowledge Exchange and Design: An Alliance to Share and Celebrate Cultural Identity

 

Another key milestone in the project was the Knowledge Exchange Sessions, where artisans worked with designers to blend aspects of their cultural identity with elements of contemporary design. The aim was to improve the marketability of their pieces and to plan an exhibition in Buenos Aires that would showcase the artisanal work and the stories of the territories inhabited by Wichí women.

 

This collaborative work improved product functionality and resulted in pieces that reflect the deep cultural value of the artisans’ ancestral knowledge. The project also helped raise awareness of the economic hardship these women face—especially in times of crisis—highlighting the importance of developing new ways to market and promote their work.

 

Fundación URDIR’s project represents a significant step toward the economic and social advancement of Wichí women while promoting the preservation of their traditions and the strengthening of their organizational capacities. With the goal of improving the quality of life for the artisans and their families, the foundation continues working to create spaces for empowerment and visibility for these collectives.

 

For more information:
Fundación URDIR
📧 infourdir@gmail.com