COOPA-ROCA in Brazil is similar to Kala Raksha in India in that they combine craft and design to generate income for poor communities.

COOPA-ROCA, Rocinha Seamstress and Craftwork Co-operative Ltd., is a cooperative that trains, manages, and coordinates the work of female residents of Rocinha, who produce artisanal pieces for fashion and design markets.

The Cooperative was established in the early 1980s, with the mission of providing the conditions for its members, female residents of Rocinha, to work from home, thereby contributing to their family budget without having to neglect their childcare and domestic responsibilities.

The work developed at COOPA-ROCA has allowed the craftswomen to improve their quality of life and, indirectly, that of their families. In addition to allowing Artisans to work from home and supplement their family income, COOPA-ROCA contributes to improve their vocational skills, and to foster growth in self-esteem and collective learning.

With a professional approach, COOPA-ROCA values artisanal production based on the continuous improvement of cooperative members. COOPA-ROCA’s vision is to expand the social impact of its experience in Rocinha, becoming a national reference for the social integration of low-income communities. Today the Cooperative includes approximately 100 Artisans.