What problem or need did the project address?
During 2004 Traidcraft Exchange implemented a project in Cambodia to help craft enterprises to access European markets. However, during the course of this project, it became clear that many of these enterprises had production processes that were inefficient, costly, and hampering their ability to meet the requirements of buyers.
The Cambodia Efficient Production project was developed to equip these enterprises with the skills, tools and support to improve customer care, quality management, and production efficiency.
What did the project do?
The project had two main objectives:
- To equip small enterprises with skills and methods to make their production units more efficient
- To train three business consultants in the ‘efficient production’ training method and equip them with skills to be able to conduct consultancies with small enterprises in this field
The training for the three local business consultants took place early in 2005. It consisted of technical training in production and business topics as well as training in softer skills such as ‘how to provide training’ and ‘how to counsel businesses’. These local consultants will now be able to work with small enterprises in improving their production processes in the long term.
The training of the 25 enterprises took place in May 2005 and was very successful. It was highly practical, and feedback received from participants was positive. The list of actions that participants planned to undertake after the training showed practical and easy to change/adapt actions. As a follow up, two senior consultants from Europe visited the participants in their workshops and assisted them with looking at practical processes that would make production more efficient.
What impact has the project had?
By the end of the project, 15 of the 25 participating enterprises had shown real progress and had:
- Implemented better quality control systems
- Improved their production planning by keeping records and having regular meetings with production staff
- Improved on health and safety issues
- Improved on systems to understand their customers
A study undertaken four months after the training was completed showed that about 80% of the participants had changed and improved production after the training and some had also saved costs. Most had improved on heath and safety issues, quality control, production planning and costing. All participating enterprises have reported increased sales.
Who was our local partner in the project?
Our local partner in the project was the Artisans Association of Cambodia (AAC). AAC is an association of social enterprises, and aims to facilitate opportunities for its members to gain training, improve their businesses, access new markets, and increase their economic sustainability.
How was this project funded?
This project was funded by the European Commission and grant-making trusts.
