Innovation

ZOCCO’S main goal is to have an impact on women's’ life and their community. They collaborate with organisations both in Morocco and in India, where they make the bags that Zocco sells through its website. Zocco is responsible for paying a "fair salary and corresponding to the work done" They adapt the designs to the Spanish' market demand, so they are attractive to consumers. They want to achieve monthly minimum orders, to be able to offer monthly salaries, in order to give autonomy to these women.

But not only that, Zocco trains its workers in producing , languages and marketing in order to make them able to become autonomous. By that, they support people that are excluded (or in risk for being) from society and makes them aware of the importance of using their own abilities, and that also helps keeping their craft traditions alive as its products represent the essence of the materials and the culture from different countries (India and Morocco so far).

That is not all, as they also give importance to creating a connection among people. How is it possible? When a consumer buys a Zocco's product, he or she can know everything about its producer and how it was made. In other words, they create a link between them.

Inspiration

As Maria Razquin (one of Zocco's CEO) said "We observed how by buying the fabrics in Marrakesh's Medina, we couldn't obtain information about the artisans. We realized that, the percentage of benefit that they got was very low. We wanted to change this reality and in our next steps with Zocco, we tried to get closer and to learn about the origins of the fabric and that is how we met some artisans."

So, "The objective was to produce unique products and, with the benefits that we obtained, reinvest them in the development of their community" María stated.

Specifically, they were inspired by the lives of the women that work producing the fabrics in these countries and, in consequence, they wanted to support them through employment, and creating a space where they could share time and experience with each other.

Women inspired by women.

Overall impact

"Zocco has become a daily challenge, an intense emotion."

The project starts by changing women's life, in order to have a long run impact on the whole community. By training them, they want to rise employment levels, quality life on these countries, and also to create a working force better prepared for the capital globalized world nowadays.

How can this happen? Eventually, learning gives autonomy, training provides empowerment and this leads not only to a powerful economic growth but also to an incredible social development.

Although they can't reach every women on Morocco or India, the woman employed in Zocco can serve as an example for neighbours, family members... creating a chain effect.

Business benefit

The unique link they build between producers and consumers, makes them more authentic. We are living a time where society wants to know where things come from and the process that's behind. This "bridge" built by the bags, makes people believe in what they are doing. They build their business in the confidence of the origin of the products. The authenticity is also the key. The women handcraft the products using their traditional methods. All of these factors, make Zocco a profitable company, because it makes the brand different from other business. This helps Zocco highlight as a brand on the fashion market, and increasing profits.

Also, by showing their products are sustainable with the enviroment, they attract a fixed number of consumers aware of the climate change problems nowadays, and that want to change pollution issues today.

Social and environmental benefit

Zocco focuses its activity on two countries of the world, therefore having impact on both:

MOROCCO

On one hand, the community of artisans with whom Zocco works have learned Kilim's creation techniques from their mothers and grandmothers. They are highly qualified in the technique, but nevertheless they did not have access to a wider market. Zocco introduces them to the market, which creates more jobs, helping the trade to be sustainable and valued as the art it is. In addition, Zocco avoids intermediaries to triple / quadruple the income of an average artisan.

On the other hand, the province is mainly based on the agriculture of potatoes and onions and the creation of handicrafts. With this there is a great concern throughout the region due to the fact that there is a small opportunity for the future for young people and a great dropout from school. The growth of Zocco contributes to the formative and future opportunities for the children of the artisans.

INDIA

A key factor in inequality and social exclusion in India is the well-known caste system. India is a country with extreme levels of poverty, to this is added the social exclusion of women. Zocco employs these excluded women to make visible their role in the family and in the community, providing families with higher incomes contributing to the fight against poverty. The workshop is not only a work space but also a space for meeting, working together and learning. In addition, earning their own money gives women greater autonomy in decision-making and greater self-esteem.

Interview

Maria Razquin, The world behind your handbag