Nest provides tailor-made training programs and improved working conditions to artisans and craftspeople in the informal sector of the global fashion industry.
Nest and its partners localise artisan communities in developing countries and provide them with business education, communication classes, and equipment such as computers and looms to improve their working conditions. After identifying and equipping a community with the right tools and training, Nest matches each community with established fashion companies. The organisation oversees the business relationships and formalises the partnerships between artisans and fashion houses, ensuring fair compensation and rights.
Nest is rebuilding the broken systems that hinder the sector’s ability to drive positive global change. By partnering with both artisans as well as with brands directly, we are working with both sides of the supply chain to create meaningful solutions.
Rebecca van Bergen – Founder and Executive Director of Nest
Nest collaborates with brands including Stella McCartney, West Elm, Patagonia and Eileen Fisher. Nest grew from serving 1,528 artisans in 2014 to 5,646 artisans in 2015, and has helped increase production orders by 45% and artisans’ revenues by 76%, according to the company.
Why you should care
An estimated 20 to 60% of garment workers globally work from home and are part of the informal workforce, where there are limited means to monitoring and enforce fair labour practices. By providing tools and tailor-made business development programs, and by matching artisans with established fashion houses, Nest is inspiring the fashion industry to use transparency as a springboard for positive change. Nest calls on brands to play a pro-active role in developing their artisan and homeworker supply chains.
How the Global Goals are addressed
No Poverty
Securing fair opportunities and adequate wages for artisan workers in poor communities can help to lift individuals out of poverty, positively impacting their health and well-being.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
In 2015, artisan businesses receiving Nest programming support realized 45% production and 76% revenue growth on average, showing how skills training transfers directly to productivity.
Reduced Inequalities
Artisans and other homeworkers are often underpaid and unfairly treated. Encouraging global brands to increase their transparency of workforce practices, Nest helps close the pay and inequality gap.
Nest
Nest is committed to the social and economic advancement of global artisans and homeworkers through supply chain transparency, sustainable business development, and widespread industry advocacy.
Global Goals addressed