Good news! Social entrepreneurship - businesses with a cause - is rising in Finland. According to 'The association of Finnish Work' social business in Finland has grown from about 150 in 2010 to thousands in 2014. One great example of a Finnish social business is MIFUKO - a fair-trade company designing African-inspired eco-friendly objects made by Kenyan artists.
Mifuko was founded in 2009 by designers Minna Impiö and Mari Martikainen, who runs the business from Nairobi and Helsinki. By being situated on place, Mifuko makes sure the artists receive a regular income and good working conditions. As an example their baskets are made by women groups in rural villages and the wages go to food, education and medicine for their families. Mifuko makes bags, baskets, sandals and jewellery etc. What I like about their products is the mix of African ethnicity and Finnish simplicity.They also strive to use recycled and organic materials when ever possible.
Mifuko was founded in 2009 by designers Minna Impiö and Mari Martikainen, who runs the business from Nairobi and Helsinki. By being situated on place, Mifuko makes sure the artists receive a regular income and good working conditions. As an example their baskets are made by women groups in rural villages and the wages go to food, education and medicine for their families. Mifuko makes bags, baskets, sandals and jewellery etc. What I like about their products is the mix of African ethnicity and Finnish simplicity.They also strive to use recycled and organic materials when ever possible.
Mifuko has recieved the Finnish Social Enterprise Mark, a symbol of certified social entrepreneurs for their fair-trade work. Read more about their business on MIFUKO.FI and visit their web-shop for a taste of Finnish-African design.
photos: Mifuko
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