Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment, Limited
IndustryCrafts
Organisation typeNon-profit organisation
Company Address
P/Bag E891 Box 376
10101, Lusaka
Zambia
Phone number+260-969 484468
Web page https://free-zambia.org/
Company Address office@free-zambia.org
Contact Person
Ms Dawn Close
Economic Empowerment Advisor
Phone+260 969 484468
Email dawnclose@msn.com
OrganisationIntroduced to Finnpartnership by Embassy of Finland in Lusaka, Zambia
Project typeTrade intermediary (distributor, importer, agent, representative); Production, marketing or activity involving transfer of know-how or technology
Project abstractFoundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment (also known as F.R.E.E.), is a Zambian women’s empowerment organisation. F.R.E.E. is facilitating a profit-seeking socially responsible enterprise to produce copper and silver jewellery incorporating Zambia’s semi-precious gemstones. The metalworking skills in copper can be applied to new ventures in home décor.
There are three possible areas of interest for Finnish partners:
1) Finnish designers or retailers for wholesaling and retailing jewellery, or to manufacture Finnish jewellery designs.
2) Finnish designers or retailers for wholesaling and retailing copper home décor or art, or to manufacture Finnish designs in copper.
3) Partnership with a Finnish company to develop new technologies for faceting gemstones.
Project descriptionF.R.E.E. was established in 2010. based in Lusaka, Zambia and currently employs 2 persons in administration with eight young women producing jewellery. The necessary elements are in place to scale up the production by increasing the number of women involved.
F.R.E.E. is an empowerment organisation, working with the disadvantaged in Zambia. They are organised as a non-profit organisation but for the purpose of creating profitable enterprises. They offer opportunity for partnership with Finnish companies looking for a successful corporate social responsibility venture. F.R.E.E. could produce jewellery or corporate gifts for Finnish designers or retailers, according to their specification. Or, if the partner is interested, in wholesaling or retailing F.R.E.E’s designs.
So far F.R.E.E. has sold their jewellery in Finland, Sweden, Germany, Canada, South Africa, Zambia, and the United States with interest and smaller sales from numerous other countries. The jewellery is targeted at both local customers, whose tastes are more of the polished statement piece sold in local shops and boutiques, or international clients who are targeted through trade shows with jewellery tailored to their tastes. For instance, the copper patina pieces have been popular with the more affluent South African buyers as well as the American market.
F.R.E.E. is currently looking for a Finnish partner for marketing and distribution of jewellery. They are interested in working with Finnish designers to create new products. They are ready to branch into other copper products such as home décor and art or corporate gifts.
Gemstone faceting: Zambia is the world’s 2nd largest producer of emeralds but they are exported for faceting. Technologies could be developed to improve the quality of gemstone cutting so that it could be done locally and the stones could compete on the global market. Exportation of raw materials without value addition is a problem inherent in most African nations, inhibiting development of the local economies.
Attachments
Number of employees0-9
Annual turnover in €0 - 0,5 million
Annual balance sheet total0 - 0,5 million
Already engaged in international co-operationYes
Percentage of transnational activities10 to 49 %