The Rabeha Joint Programme is accelerating international market access for Egyptian women artisans and women-led enterprises, connecting them with buyers in Milan, Amsterdam, and Helsinki. By supporting their integration into sustainable global value chains, the initiative contributes to inclusive economic growth. This aligns with the 2025 International Women’s Day call to "accelerate action," reinforcing the importance of expanding opportunities for women in global trade.

Implemented by UNIDO and UN Women, in partnership with the Government of Egypt and with funding from Global Affairs Canada, the ‘Women’s Economic Empowerment for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Egypt’ programme—known as ‘Rabeha’—creates employment and self-employment opportunities for Egyptian women. Through targeted capacity-building, the programme helps women-led enterprises to navigate the complexities of international markets and meet global standards.

Social procurement has traditionally been a tool for public institutions to drive social impact through their purchasing power. UNIDO is innovating by extending this approach to the private sector, fostering partnerships between skilled artisans and companies prioritizing ethical sourcing, fair trade, and sustainability. This strengthens local industrial ecosystems while ensuring the inclusion of marginalized artisans in global value chains.

By equipping artisans with the necessary skills and knowledge, facilitating certifications, and ensuring social and environmental compliance, UNIDO’s approach guarantees that all actors receive their fair share from their productivity. This model shows that private sector engagement in social procurement is not only possible but also effective. Businesses can integrate ethical sourcing and fair trade into their supply chains while maintaining commercial viability, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable global market.

The results of this initiative are already taking shape. In 2024, UNIDO provided a series of workshops for local producers on sustainable product design, pricing, branding, and market access. These efforts led to the successful launch of the Blue Me Away collection at the 2025 Who’s Next fashion trade show in Paris. Within hours, over EUR 25,000 worth of orders were placed, benefiting more than 50 female artisans from villages across Fayoum, Minya, and Beni-Suef governorates.

Additional partnerships have further expanded the programme’s reach. Mifuko, a Finnish social enterprise that works with over 1,300 artisans worldwide, collaborated with UNIDO through Rabeha to provide fair employment opportunities for Egyptian women artisans. “Through this collaboration, we have been able to enhance the skills of women entrepreneurs, create fair employment, and strengthen social and economic resilience. The programme aligns with our mission to combine contemporary design with ethical production, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on both individuals and communities,” said Mari Martikainen, Mifuko’s co-founder and co-owner.

In Amsterdam, X BANK, a concept store under the Sircle Collection hospitality group, placed pilot orders with Rabeha entrepreneurs. “We chose to work with the Rabeha because craftsmanship and sustainability are core values for XBANK. If you combine this with women empowerment it means you make a difference in the world!”, said Alexander van Dijk, Store manager.

Rabeha supported Egyptian artisans are also currently producing garments for Italian fashion designer Sara Battaglia and her Red Collar project, based in Milan, Italy, which raises awareness about violence against women. “I deeply share the Rabeha programme’s values and its mission of supporting women’s empowerment and promoting sustainable opportunities,” said Battaglia. “I believe that working together can create a positive impact and raise awareness on issues that are particularly close to my heart.”

The social procurement model is proving businesses play a central role in creating equitable and resilient supply chains. As Sarah Alazem, co-founder of Duma, a Rabeha-supported enterprise, explained: “We hope to help women artisans to earn a better income—this is the most important thing, so they can support their families and themselves.”

Manal Mamdouh, Developmental Projects Manager from the Ministry of Industry highlighted the programme’s success: “We did not expect during the initial design of the programme that our women artisans would achieve such success. Seeing Rabeha products showcased in Paris and in demand on the international stage is a major milestone that we must build on. Rabeha is not just creating new opportunities—it is opening doors for a new generation of pioneering businesswomen.”

Rabeha (meaning “winner” in Arabic) has already support the economic empowerment of more than 7,500 women in seven governorates through increased access to employment and self-employment opportunities. The joint programme is implemented by UN Women and UNIDO in partnership with the National Council for Women (NCW), the Ministry of Industry (MoI) and the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), with the generous support of Global Affairs Canada.  

For more information please contact:

Virpi Stucki

Chief

Division of Fair Production, Sustainability standards and Trade

Email