Sheinbaum announces program to support artisans in the country

The federal government announced yesterday the launch of a comprehensive program to support artisans, particularly those from indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities. The initiative seeks to strengthen the production and marketing of crafts, as well as preserve traditional techniques and protect the original designs of these communities.

This comprehensive program has to do with direct economic support for the development, conservation of crafts, but also with the commercialization and protection of the designs of indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples. We hope this can even be elevated to law in the future.highlighted President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo in her daily press conference at the National Palace.

María del Rocío Mejía Flores, general director of Financiera para el Bienestar, explained that the program, which will have an initial budget of 500 million pesos, is the result of a consultation and diagnosis process carried out in 10 states of the country, where about a thousand women artisans. The study revealed that 92 percent of those surveyed need support to make crafts, 83 percent face difficulties in obtaining materials and 71 percent consider that their traditional techniques are at risk of disappearing. Furthermore, 56 percent expressed that the real cost of their work is not valued.

The program will provide direct support with amounts ranging from 10 thousand to 50 thousand pesos for individuals and from 50 thousand to 300 thousand pesos for solidarity groups or cooperatives, in addition to training and technical support through financial education, rescue of traditional techniques and strengthening capacities and marketing with the development of local, regional and national points of sale, as well as access to international markets.

The initiative has the participation of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), the Ministry of Culture and the Finance Ministry for Wellbeing. Adelfo Regino Montes, director of INPI, highlighted the importance of combating discrimination and bargaining, as well as registering traditional designs for their preservation.

Claudia Curiel de Icaza, Secretary of Culture, announced the expansion of initiatives such as Original and Fonart to promote the commercialization of crafts. In addition, he mentioned that tourist corridors such as the Mayan Train will facilitate the access of these crafts to global markets.

The dissemination of the program will begin in February through community radio, television and other media. Applications for support will be received starting in March at INPI centers, popular culture units and branches of the Financiera para el Bienestar. Resources will begin to be dispersed in the second quarter of the year.