Up-fuse was invited by GIZ Algeria to be part of the conference “Le Role de la Femme Dans une Economie Locale” (The Role of Women in the Local Economy) that’s organized in partnership with the district of Annaba’s Directorate of the Environment. Our Partner and Production Manager, Lama El Khawanky, was representing Up-fuse at the conference, where she gave a workshop and showcased our Up-fuse bags.
The conference took place last week on the 20th of June 2019 in Sheraton Hotel Annaba. The event consisted of presentations, panel discussions and workshops all aimed at driving forward and encouraging female entrepreneurship as an integral part of society’s development. Being a female-lead team, we at Up-fuse were very passionate about the event and the opportunity to shed light on female entrepreneurship as well as that of helping support female entrepreneurs.
Audience at the conference “Role of The Women in Local Economy” at Sheraton Annaba
The conference was sponsored by Algeria’s Minister of the Environment and Renewable Energy as well as the governor of the state of Annaba, Taoufik Mezhoud, who was present at the event. GIZ’s project manager of waste management and circular economy, Ahmed Fekairi, was also present at the event. A main aim of the conference was providing an opportunity for 80 women to learn how to open their own businesses. The workshops provided focused on teaching the women: sewing, marketing, and using leftovers and waste of advertisement banners to make fashion accessories, which was great for Up-fuse to be part of as up-cycling is the core of what we do.
From left to right Annaba’s Wally Taoufik Mezhoud, Ahmed Fekairi GIZ Algeria’s project manager, and Representatives from the Ministry of Environment
Lama talked about Up-fuse’s journey of using up-cycled plastic bags to make fashion accessories as well as the challenges and opportunities that we are facing.
Lama El Khawajky giving a presentation about the work of Up-fuse
She was part of a panel discussion and Q&A along with Waleed Jad from Waste Studio and Hélène de la Moureyre from Bilum. Both of which are also two awesome businesses that use up-cycled materials to produce fashion accessories.
Panel Discussion between event’s speakers
Lama also gave a Production and Design workshop where she shared tips and tricks related to production and using up-cycled materials in the production process.
We were glad to be part of such an event that supports women entrepreneurs to create sustainable jobs out of up-cycling, especially in the MENA region. We’d like to thank Islam Bentahar for organizing the event, and GIZ Algeria and Algeria’s Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy for making such an event happen!