WHO WE ARE
MATA aims to foster the development of the design and craft sector in Macedonia, facilitating tangible social benefits for designers, artisans, and craft micro-enterprises. We offer support in product development, market access, and capacity-building, emphasizing the importance of soft skills, coaching and mentoring, lifelong learning, and the integration of new technologies. Our initiatives also focus on promoting social entrepreneurship, with a particular emphasis on empowering women entrepreneurs.
Over the years, collaborating closely with local governments, we harness the creative potential of the design and craft sector to invigorate tourism and stimulate overall growth. Through strategic partnerships and targeted initiatives, we champion Macedonian handmade products in both local and international markets, amplifying our cultural heritage while driving economic prosperity. By nurturing design and artisan entrepreneurs, particularly in areas of product innovation, marketing, and sales, we empower local communities and cultivate sustainable businesses. Advocating for progressive changes within the sector and the broader economy, we pave the way for increased opportunities and entrepreneurship. Embracing innovation, we also integrate new technologies to further enhance the sector's competitiveness and relevance in today's dynamic landscape.
Over the past two years, MATA has significantly broadened its scope of work, promoting personal and professional development. Among these initiatives, MATA has implemented a comprehensive Soft Skills Training Program designed to equip participants with the interpersonal and communication skills crucial for success in today's diverse workplaces. Additionally, the organization has provided Career Counseling and Coaching services, guiding individuals toward fulfilling career paths and enhancing their employability. Recognizing the importance of inclusivity and innovation, MATA has also conducted workshops on Social Entrepreneurship specifically tailored for women, encouraging female empowerment and leadership in the entrepreneurial sphere. Furthermore, MATA has facilitated Mentorship programs, connecting aspiring professionals with experienced mentors to provide guidance, support, and invaluable insights.
ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
- Building design and craft businesses and developing the capacity of design and artisan entrepreneurs, especially in areas of product design and development, marketing, and sales.
- Promoting the Macedonian handmade sector in local and export markets.
- Promoting the culture and traditions.
- Strengthening the design and craft sector’s coordination with larger business associations and representation in trade associations.
- Advocating for changes in the design and craft sector and Macedonian economy a large to encourage design and craft business growth.
- Revitalizing traditional craft skills.
- Introducing new technologies
- Cooperating with local governments to use the design and craft sector as a resource for economic, social, and cultural development.
- Soft skills training programme
- Career Counseling and coaching
- Promotion of social entrepreneurship and workshops for women
• Product Development and Design
• Product adaptation for increased marketability
• Design implementation
• Coordination between design and crafts sectors
• Linkage between design and crafts sector with local and international markets
• Product development processes
• Participate in international trade fairs/bazaars and preparation services for participating artisans
• Maintain and develop buyer relations and facilitate buyer visits
• Organize Craft Fairs and promotional events
• Represent handmade products for corporate gift and protocol market
Product Development
• How to prepare successful product collections
• Pricing and Costing
• Trends
• Quality Control
Marketing and sales
• Preparation for Craft Fairs and International Trade Shows
• Design of effective promotional materials
• Business communication, customer satisfaction and quality control
Business, financial and administrative management
• Business plan development and strategic growth
• Management
Technical assistance and guidance
• Conceptualize and implement practical skills training such us: filigree, needlework, weaving, felt making etc.
MATA offers different kind of craft skills and business workshops in its ARTiZAN Centre, Skopje Old Bazaar.
Find out more about our unique workshops on the link bellow
Workshops
| 1. Project Title: | Design competition – Souvenir of City of Skopje |
| Location | Skopje, MK |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
October 2008 – March 2009
City of Skopje, Agens doo |
| Results | 20 designers identified; 3 best designers awarded; 15 designers and souvenir designs were presented and exhibited; 1 catalogue created, presenting the designers and souvenir designs; 1 sale exhibition; 3 winning design collections produced. |
| 2. Project Title: | “ARTiZAN Center, Skopje Old Bazaar – Public Private Partnership Initiative – transferring the jurisdiction to the end users ” |
| Location | Skopje, Macedonia |
| Time Frame | February, 2018 – November, 2018 |
| Funded by | Funded by EU and Preda Plus Foundation
|
| Objectives | Objectives:
1.To improve CSO MATA’s capacity for lobbing and advocacy for the interests of its members, collaborators and users of its services. 2.To straighten CSO MATA’s position/role in the Creative Industries Sector (design, artisans and crafts work), a rethrough creation of opportunities for direct collaboration between the design and crafts sector with the Local Government. 3.To Increase CSO MATA’s visibility in the Creative Industries Sector in front of Local and Central Government, and also in front of the wider audience. |
| Expected Results/Impact | Improved CSO MATA’s capacity for lobbing and advocacy for the interests of its members, collaborators and users of its services.
Straightened CSO MATA’s position/role in the Creative Industries Sector (design, artisans and crafts work), through creation of opportunities for direct collaboration between the design and crafts sector with the Local Government. Increased CSO MATA’s visibility in the Creative Industries Sector in front of Local and Central Government, and also in front of the wider audience |
| 3. Project Title: | “ARTiZAN Center, Skopje Old Bazaar” |
| Location | Skopje, Macedonia |
| Time Frame | 2013 - present |
| Funded by | City of Skopje, MATA, Artisans
|
| Objectives | To Foster development of the Creative Industries Sector in Macedonia through creating opportunities for long-term employment and increased income for creative micro and small enterprises)
|
| Expected Results/Impact | 3 Artisans Workshops established
1 Crafts/Design Skills Workshop established 1 Showroom established |
|
4. Project Title: |
“CraftART Fest – Christmas Bazaar” – |
|
Location |
Skopje, Macedonia |
|
Time Frame |
2005 - present |
|
Funded by |
MATA, Hotel ARKA, Artisans, Ministry of Culture, City of Skopje,
|
|
Objectives |
To create opportunities for promotion and income generation for designers and artisans through direct sale |
|
Expected Results/Impact |
34 participants each year (Yearly Event related to the Christmas Holidays) with improved sales
|
| 5. Project Title: | “Kristal Market” - A Project Related to Christmas Holidays in the framework of the Sister Cities collaboration between Nuremberg and Skopje – Yearly Event |
| Location | Nuremberg, Germany |
| Time Frame | December, 2007 - December, 2018 |
| Funded by | City of Nuremberg, MATA, Artisans
|
| Objectives | To present the creative potential from Skopje and to create opportunities direct sales for artisans. |
| 6. Project Title: | “Handicrafts4u” |
| Location | Skopje, Macedonia |
| Time Frame | June, 2017 - Dec, 2017 |
| Funded by | Funded by Open Society Institute/Mental Health Initiative
|
| Objectives | 1.To create social enterprise under the brand “Handicrafts4u”
2.To create brand identity 3.To develop production capacities of persons with special needs, engaged in the social enterprise 4.To create quality designed products portfolio for direct sale in the market
|
| 7. Project Title: | “Social Enterprenership – means for socialisation” |
| Location | Skopje, Macedonia |
| Time Frame | Oct, 2013 - March, 201 |
| Funded by | Funded by Open Society Institute/Mental Health Initiative |
| Objectives | 1.To improve business capacities of the NGO SOLEM
2.To develop practical production skills of NGO SOLEM’s Staff 3.To develop practical production skills of people with special needs |
| 8. Project Title: | “Creative Businesses Project” |
| Location | Skopje, Macedonia |
| Time Frame | December, 2010 - December, 2012 |
| Funded by | USAID |
| Objectives | Foster the development of the creative industries sector in Macedonia, creating opportunities for long-term employment and increased income for creative micro and small enterprises through the following:
1. Strengthen the “Creative Industries Center (CIC) – Skopje” to extend its business support services to companies; 2. Generate productive employment by working with unemployed persons, youth and women to start their own creative businesses; and 3. Improve the business performance of micro and small enterprises in the creative industries sector to respond successfully to market demands. |
| 10. Project Title: | “European Values in Heritage” (EVAH)
A Project for Awareness-Raising in the Western Balkans |
| Location | Regional: Girokastra (Albania), Metsovo and Ioannina (Greece), Prizren (Kosovo), Skopje and Ohrid (R. Macedonia) |
| Time Frame | December, 2010 - June, 2012 |
| Funded by | European Union |
| Objectives | Foster the development of the creative industries sector in Macedonia, creating opportunities for long-term employment and increased income for creative micro and small enterprises through the following:
1. To raise awareness among the general public about the cultural and economic values of historic cities and handcrafts as a common European heritage 2. To raise awareness and build capacities among decision-makers about the cultural and economic values of historic cities and handcrafts as common European heritage 3. To develop synergies among NGOs working for the preservation of historic cities, based on shared European values and standards. |
| 11. Project Title: | “Mapping of wood processing and furniture industry of Macedonia” |
| Location | Skopje, Macedonia |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
December 31, 2010 - June 30, 2012
SIPPO(Swiss Imports promotion Program) |
| Results | 30 furniture and 50 wood processing companies were presented on CD-Rom as basis for promotion of Macedonian furniture & wood processing industry. |
| 12. Project Title: | “Product Development Process” |
| Location | Shkodra, Gjirokastra, Albania |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
October – November 2010
UN Joint Programme Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development, UNDP-Tirana, Albania |
| Results | 17 producers participated on product development sessions;
59 single products were designed; 48 product collection were implemented; 37 sample products completed 2 sub-sectors were covered (wood, textile). |
| 13. Project Title: | Market Readiness Program for Artisans |
| Location, | Shkodra, Girocastra – Albania, |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
December 2009,
SNV, Albania |
| Results | 35 Participants learned to take steps in developing new products, to discover customer needs and offer the right solutions, to use contemporary tools for market access and to maintain buyers’ relations on global market. |
| 14. Project Title: | Transferring Craft Skills |
| Location | Skopje MK |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
November 2009
Academia Italiana |
| Results | 12 students learned the basics of felt production; 36 product collection made. |
| 15. Project Title: | Design competition – Souvenir of City of Skopje |
| Location | Skopje, MK |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
October 2008 – March 2009
City of Skopje, Agens doo |
| Results | 20 designers identified; 3 best designers awarded; 15 designers and souvenir designs were presented and exhibited; 1 catalogue created, presenting the designers and souvenir designs; 1 sale exhibition; 3 winning design collections produced. |
| 16. Project Title: | “Assessment of Macedonian Hand Craft sector” |
| Location | 30 locations in Macedonia |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
April 2008
SIPPO (Swiss Imports promotion Program) |
| Results | 55 micro handcraft businesses were assessed. |
| 17. Project Title: | Assessment of the Hand Craft sector in Butrint and Gjirokastra - Albania |
| Location | Butrint and Gjirokastra – Albania |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
December 2007
Butrint Foundation, UK London |
| Results | 30 micro handcraft business were assessed. |
| 18. Project Title: | “Mapping of wood processing and furniture industry of Macedonia” |
| Location | 30 locations in Macedonia |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
June – July 2007
SIPPO(Swiss Imports promotion Program) |
| Results | 50 furniture and 20 wood processing companies were presented on CD-Rom as basis for promotion of Macedonian furniture & wood processing industry; The CD-Rom was distributed at “Imm” - Cologne and “Made EXPO” – Milan; 3 contacts were created between European importers and Macedonian producers. |
| 19. Project Title: | “Macedonian Handcraft Sector - Sustainability and Confidence building through Market links” |
| Location | Berovo, Kumanovo, Tetovo, MK |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
January – December 2007
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Results | 40 artisans participated at two Basic Business training sessions; 40 artisans participated at two Advanced Export training sessions; 40 artisans participated at two Preparatory Craft Fair Participation sessions; 12 Product development sessions; 12 New Product collections. |
| 20. Project Title: | Assessment and Marketing Readiness Training for Handcraft sector in Shkodra - Albania in the framework of the project “Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs in N. Albania” |
| Location, | Berovo, Kumanovo, Tetovo, MK, |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
April – June 2006
International Labour Office |
| Results | 28 producers participated in product development and production management training sessions; 22 producer received direct design mentoring and improved the current product collections; 6 producers managed to develop product samples during the consultancy; 46 product collection were implemented; 157 single products were designed. |
| 21. Project Title: | “Marketing Readiness Program” |
| Location | Skopje, MK |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
March - May 2006
Chemonics International (Kosovo Cluster and Business Support) (USAID funded project) |
| Results | The program provided entrepreneurial training in business skills and organizational development for representatives of seven women associations from Kosovo. |
| 22. Project Title: | “Macedonian Handmade Cultural Identity - Tradition/Innovation” |
| Location | Tetovo, Jegunovce, Istibanja MK, |
| Time Frame
Funded by |
January -December 2006
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Results | 9 artisans learned the traditional technique of weaving; 30 women attended basic business training; 60 Macedonian and Albanian women directly impacted by the project activities; 300 individuals benefiting indirectly for the project activities; 4 traditional costumes were produced; 15 product lines were developed. The project achievements were presented in front of approximately 6000 people on several occasions: project promotions, new product lines promotions, craft bazaar, international trade show; 4000 euros were generated from local sales. |
