How to combine one of the cornerstones of Made in Italy, recognised worldwide as one of our country's excellences, an indistinguishable sign of the talent and style of artisans and creative people, with the sustainable growth of Kenya?
The answer is simple: it takes initiatives like that of Ethical Fashion by its founder Simone Cipriani. From an idea born in the slums of Nairobi, after Cipriani met tailors and designers living on the margins of society but with great talent, the initiative became a United Nations project, through the International Trade Centre.
Now, thanks to the Italian Cooperation, it will connect communities in rural and problematic areas of Kenya with the world of small and medium-sized local businesses, thanks to the concept of ethical fashion and the know-how of Italian designers and entrepreneurs.

'Designing the Future, a Green and Inclusive Fashion Ecosystem', this is the name of the new three-year initiative financed by the Italian government to promote not only sustainable fashion, but the creation of new jobs in Kenya, at least 2,500 to begin with. These will be mainly young people and women, from disadvantaged communities, who will benefit from specialised training with a view to ensuring better working conditions and greater access to the market, thanks to links and fashion companies of international calibre.
The project was launched yesterday at the Don Bosco Technical and Training Institute in Karen, Nairobi, in the presence of Cabinet Secretary Mercy Wanjau and the Permanent Secretary of the Kenyan Department of State for Small and Medium Enterprises, Susan Mang'emi, as well as the Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, Roberto Natali, and the Head of the Regional Headquarters of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. Natali recalled Italy's renewed attention, also through the so-called 'Mattei Plan for Africa', to the African continent, of which this initiative, together with a 'friendly' population like that of Kenya, marks a further milestone.
"Kenyan craftspeople are world-class creatives; what they sometimes lack is access to international markets and systems, which would allow them to take their production to the next level. This initiative will do just that, bringing local skills closer to international ones, bringing mutual benefits to the global fashion system," said the United Nations Representative to Kenya, Stephen Jackson, speaking at the presentation.

"By valuing artisans, small producers and entrepreneurs, we aim to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Employment and business creation represent one of the pillars of Italian Cooperation's commitment in Kenya, and through this initiative we aim to harness the potential offered by Kenya's incredible entrepreneurial drive and its young population" said Giovanni Grandi.
Of note is the presence of one of the female communities involved in the project, the 'Satubo': this is a group of women from the three ethnic groups whose men (because in Africa, and not only in Africa, it is men who wage war) have been in conflict for decades. The Samburu, Turkana and Borana (hence the name Sabutu) have come together and produce artefacts, which will now be promoted and internationalised by the Ethical Fashion Initiative, thanks to Italian support.
"Working with Kenyan small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those that employ women and young people, and enabling them to improve their competitiveness in national, regional and global trade, is a cornerstone for the economic growth of our country," added Susan Mang'eni. "I am delighted that the Ethical Fashion Initiative, which has a solid track record in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the fashion value chain, is launching this project in Kenya, creating new job opportunities and enhancing local creative and productive capacities," the Kenyan government official concluded.