At a Glance
Location: Colombia
Impact Areas: Employment Generation, Environment, Gender
People Supported:
Small Producers & Artisans, Indigenous Peoples, Women
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2024
Overview
Fundación Hilo Sagrado is a non-profit enterprise that preserves the knowledge, culture, and traditions of Indigenous communities in La Guajira, Colombia. It works to improve the livelihoods of 183 artisans, 150 of whom are women, increasing their income and improving their living and working conditions.
The northern province of La Guajira is the poorest region in Colombia, where over 60% of the population lives in poverty. Indigenous communities, notably the Wayúu group, are disproportionately affected. Many face limited access to basic needs including food, health care, and education.
After agriculture, making and selling crafts is the most significant economic activity in the Wayúu community and the primary means of livelihood for many Indigenous women. Indigenous women play a crucial role in preserving the Wayúu culture and protecting Indigenous territories that safeguard over 80% of the country's biodiversity and natural forests. Their craft is not just a means of livelihood but a profound connection to the earth and their cosmology.
By positioning their quality handcrafted products as conscious Indigenous art, Hilo Sagrado has been able to secure partnerships with high-end international companies and increase local producers’ net income up to six times what they were previously earning. The profits made from the sale of these products are directed to various community development projects within the Wayúu communities. These initiatives include water filters, sustainable energy, dignified menstruation products, education for children, and bioconstruction.
Additionally, Hilo Sagrado partners with community leaders to offer workshops and training to support the empowerment of rural individuals, especially women. Workshops on pricing strategies and financial management ensure that local artisans are equipped with the knowledge to secure fair compensation for their work. Other training topics include fashion trends, branding, and heritage preservation.
Results & Impact
+1,000
Indigenous Peoples’ lives improved
up to 600%
increase in net income of Indigenous small producers
250
Indigenous small producers expected to be trained by 2026
““As a NESsT portfolio enterprise, Hilo Sagrado has the necessary resources to launch projects and activities and support the empowerment of Indigenous communities, giving them the autonomy needed to direct their own path toward economic and social development. This is our aim: to contribute to gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth.””
NESsT Investment
In the upcoming three years, the Hilo Sagrado team aims to further increase the economic stability of Indigenous communities in Colombia, while advancing the conservation of their heritage. It plans to extend its impact to Santa Marta and the Amazon to improve the livelihoods of over 500 Indigenous people across 10 communities.
To reach this goal, the foundation will launch the social enterprise DELZUR to promote and export conscious Indigenous art that highlights the invaluable contribution of Indigenous communities to protecting the planet. The new brand will target customers in the US and Europe who seek unique, authentic, and sustainable products.
Through one-on-one mentoring and business assistance, NESsT and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship will support Hilo Sagrado to establish the DELZUR social enterprise model, with a focus on key areas such as strategic planning, investment readiness, and branding.
NESsT’s investment will allow Fundación Hilo Sagrado to continue to source artisan products from Indigenous communities and to provide training workshops that address the role of women in the community, supporting women to conduct professional activities and earn their own income.