The Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI), a flagship program of the International Trade Centre (a joint agency of the UN and WTO), connects international brands in fashion, interiors, fine foods, culture, and the arts with talented designers, artisans, and micro-producers in emerging economies. By fostering social enterprises and production hubs, EFI enables sustainable livelihoods and dignified work, appealing to mindful consumers and impact investors.

In Tajikistan, EFI collaborated with the social enterprise Ozara to support artisans skilled in embroidery, knife-making, woodwork, and carpet-making. Traditional embroidery techniques such as bosma and chain stitch, passed down through generations, are applied to furniture, clothing, and decorative items.

In Uzbekistan, EFI collaborated with a number of local communities to build export capacity and create local employment through skills such as abr-bandi (ikat weaving) and ceramics. Ikat UZ, EFI’s social enterprise partners in Margilan, serve as an open platform for creating opportunities for artisans to introduce their products to new markets while preserving traditional craftsmanship and cultural values.