News

In a special collaboration between designers and weavers in Nepal, STEP Certified Partner Creative Matters’ Art Day bridged the worlds of design and craftsmanship. This hands-on experience allowed artisans to actively participate in the creative process, strengthening the connection between design execution and artistry.

As climate-related risks like floods and heatwaves rise, and with Nepal’s history of major earthquakes, STEP’s training on first aid, fire safety, and earthquake preparedness is strengthening our network’s local resilience, ensuring workers are equipped to handle emergencies and stay safe.

Morocco, home to some of the world’s earliest handmade rug traditions, boasts carpets deeply rooted in the culture of the Amazigh (Berber) peoples and nomadic indigenous tribes. Photographer René Fietzek’s images capture the artistry of Morocco’s artisans, in collaboration with Maison de L'Artisan and STEP.

India is a key hub for handmade rugs. From Bhadohi to Jaipur, STEP works closely with dozens of certified Fair Trade Partners around the world and their local producers to verify fair wages, ethical production, and sustainable practices—preserving the art of rug making for future generations.

Germany’s capital Berlin is one of the world’s most exciting cultural metropolises and a vibrant hub for creativity. Jana Hesse takes us on a city tour to show us how its cultural diversity emerges in the handmade carpet scene—and how local STEP-certified brands are prioritizing sustainability and fair trade.

STEP is excited to have its work featured and acknowledged in the renowned academic publication, the Journal of Fair Trade. In the article “Learning to Weave Through a Digital App: Women’s Empowerment in Artisan Villages of Nepal,” Prasuna Saakha and Dr. Roberta Discetti explore how STEP’s Artisan Villages use