Partners

Our Partners

ETWA works with the Cooperative for Tais and Cultural Development (CTCD). The purpose of the ETWA-CTCD partnership is to support the socio-economic well-being, self-sustainability and cultural empowerment of East Timorese women through community oriented programs, particularly in the handcrafts industry.

CTCD’s mission is to improve the lives of women and their families and strengthen the socio-economic base of communities through cooperative development in Iliomar and Los Palos.

CTCD is a Cooperative and its members are based in three remote communities in Lautem. It is run and operated by women for women and the main beneficiaries of CTCD activities are women. The Coop draws its membership from three weaving collectives; Feto Kiak Buka Moris (Poor Women Looking for Life) in central Los Palos and Materestu (The Survivors) and Feto Faluk Buka Moris (Widows looking for life) in the mountainous sub-district of Iliomar.

CTCD has 86 female members who come from the poorest and most disadvantaged families in the region; approximately 25% of female members were widowed during the Indonesian occupation, literacy is low and many members have limited access to farmlands.

Political and social challenges in East Timor have caused many changes in the nature of CTCD as an organisation. Between 2003 and 2006, the rural women who now constitute CTCD supplied weavings to a project located in Dili. During the crisis in 2006 the Dili-based project folded and its leaders relocated to the refugee camp in Metinaro. In May 2007 the three weaving collectives were formed in Lautem to coincide with ETWA’s first weaving tour. And between July- Oct, an in-country volunteer supported by ETWA, worked with the Metinaro group instigating new governance and operations procedures. Outcomes of an evaluation undertaken in mid 2008 necessitated new structures and processes to generate greater levels of transparency and deliver a more positive result for rural weavers. In September 2008 a new cooperative structure was adopted to consolidate the three weaving groups and CTCD was formed with endorsement and support from key stakeholders and local political leaders.

The new structure aims to decentralise control and instigate more open and transparent processes, particularly around finances and decision-making. The principles underpinning CTCD operations are based on Fulidai-dai, a social concept unique to the Makalero people of Iliomar which promotes cooperation, honesty, openness, mutuality and equality.

CTCD and ETWA work in reciprocity towards empowerment and sustainability for women in Los Palos and Iliomar. This relationship is a major strength.

CTCD’s main activities are:

· Tais weaving

· Community Development

· Advocacy and education

· Micro-finance

· Cultural Tourism

CTCD has no salaried employees, although there are 86 female members. As a Cooperative, CTCD operates on a profit-sharing/ commission basis.

CTCD is governed by a Cooperative Board consisting of three representatives from each of the three weaving collectives (9 members, selected and appointed by collective members), a field monitor (based in Dili; liaises with ETWA) and a local political representative (village/ aldeia chief or local government rep depending on availability). The Cooperative Board is a forum for transparency and a place where the weaving collectives share ideas, money is exchanged openly and reports are gathered and passed on to ETWA.

A Coop Finance Team- comprised of one member from each weaving collective and the field monitor- is responsible for the collection and distribution of money.

Advisors may be appointed by the CTCD Board when necessary to act as external monitors, oversee processes, mediate conflict, strengthen the role of the Board and report any problems to ETWA.

Local systems of social accountability and financial reporting processes ensure transparency. Separate reports are prepared by each weaving collective, the finance team and the field monitor. The reports are presented, discussed and ratified at each Board meeting then sent on to ETWA.

office@etwa.org.au

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