From humanitarian to successful business project

BHcrafts (since 1995) is the first recognized social entrepreneurship and licensed fair trade producer of handmade garments and fashion accessories in B&H

BHcrafts is an enterprise which unites creative humanitarian business and personal development elements in a balanced and successful manner.

BHcrafts produces handmade clothing and decorative items, which involves women from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Lejla Radoncic started this project in 1995 as the director of a refugee center built by The Norwegian People's Aid after the highly destructive war in Bosnia. It began as a humanitarian enterprise, and today has developed into a successful export-oriented business which is still growing. BHcrafts promotes the cultural heritage of Bosnia while using its traditions to develop products appealing to the modern market.

The way one humanitarian idea developed into a successful business project

BHcrafts is a unique and successful project. Women are among the greatest victims in any war, and thousands in Bosnia lost their men, their families and their homes, leaving them to raise their surviving children any way they could. Relevant research has proven that the best way to confront this trauma is to give the women the skills and opportunity to move forward. BHcrafts has given more than 500 women of all ethnicities the chance to put the past behind them and to work for a better future.

Synthesis of skill and natural materials

All of BHcrafts products, both clothing and household goods have been enthusiastically welcomed around the world. Media praise the superior quality of hand made products which cannot be produced through mass production.

Ecology, business, self-consciousness

BHcrafts are made with domestic raw materials, thus supporting the economy of BiH. Ecological considerations are taken into account at every stage of production, using paper bags and boxes for shipping and wooden looms for weaving. Our products are a mixture of traditional methods and modern design combined to appeal to a world market.

Handicrafts worldwide

Results have acknowledged all of this. BHcrafts has successfully cooperated with Agnes B in France For several years. An even more important business connection has been with Sundance catalog (USA) with whom we have been working for ten years, and on a smaller scale with National Geographic catalog and Nieman Marcus.

Strategic planning

Profits from business income is not shared among stockholders at the end of each year but is entirely used to expand the business. Our purpose has never changed: to improve the lives of Bosnian women and their families. We believe profit will follow as a natural result of that development.

The art of the original

On each product labelled BHcrafts you will find the name of the woman who made it. It will be the name of a Bosnian woman who was first helped to overcome the depression of living in a refugee camp and then was helped to earn money to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

More than ordinary purchase

These are products made with love and care, and if you purchase you will be contributing to the creative and business opportunities open to these women. Our aim has never changed - it will only expand further with your purchase.