On Jan. 22, 2010, the USAID Local Investment and National Competitiveness (LINC) project in its Crimean office hosted a meeting with local artisans’ initiative group.  All 13 members of the group signed on to establish Crimea's first Craft Guild in the framework of the nonprofit organization Slow Food.

Craftsmanship is one of the oldest forms of social production and an entrepreneurial activity. Despite the centuries-old roots of this occupation, the legal base for craftspersons in Ukraine is still under development.  Driven by the demand for high-quality souvenirs and the dissatisfaction of tourists with cheap products imported from China, the Crimean craftspersons are taking steps toward entering today’s market and entrenching in it with their handmade goods.

The first harbinger of progress is a logo design “Made in Crimea.”  As soon as the logo is approved by relevant authorities, the Guild members will be able to use it on their products.

USAID LINC Crimea Field Director Daniel Themen welcomed the initiative group and said: "The best souvenirs are those made by local artisans. Therefore, we [USAID LINC project] are very interested in finding a common language with you and learning how we can assist you in growing your businesses."

The meeting participants showed interest in trainings on craftsperson’s legal regulations.  The issue of greatest concern was the status of a craftsperson in Ukraine.  Leather souvenir maker Ekaterina Viktorova highlighted: "Not only should the craftsperson be in a regional network and participate in the experience sharings, but he/she should also be someone.  The legal status is what matters."  The artisans noted the need to find a way to correctly prepare information and present it to entrepreneurs.  The legal form of exercising artisans’ activities was also a subject for clarification: should or should not one register as a private entrepreneur?

The USAID LINC project is planning – as early as the next tourism fair this spring – to unite souvenir and agricultural producers, and involve as many tour operators and travel agents as possible to give them a capacity to enter into contracts with artisans directly.  USAID LINC scheduled a master class on sales and new technologies for souvenir producers working with leather in the Simferopol office for February 15.

Order of the Cabinet of Ministers "On Approval of the Plan of Activities for Craftsmanship Development for the Period till the Year 2015" as of September 9, 2009, No. 1110-p gives hope that the fate of artisans in Ukraine will be determined.  Criteria for an occupation to qualify as craft, entities of craftsmanship and its legal status are expected to be spelled out by the fourth quarter of the year 2010.