Cape Craft & Design Institute

The global craft sector, which can range from the production of ceramics and bead products to wire works, wood sculptures, textiles and much more,  is worth a massive R24 billion worldwide. The Western Cape is eager to grow its slice of this craft and design market and aims to grow the local economy and create jobs through demand-led, private sector-driven government support to this key growth sector.

The CCDI supports craft producers and helps to network all players in the product-to-market chain.  This includes craft producers and designer-makers, retailers, marketing agents, exporters and service providers such as designers, product developers, skills trainers, business development practitioners and mentors.  Government and other funders form a vital part of this collaboration, to build relationships across sectors.
The Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI) is a Section 21 company that was set up in 2001 by the Western Cape provincial government and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Its mission is to be a best practice Institute that develops people to build profitable enterprises, with marketable products for global markets in an enabled environment.

The CCDI has three core programmes which provide support to creative entrepreneurs in the areas of Product, Business and Market.  It provides an environment in which craft producers can further develop their existing products, and prototype new products.  In addition it offers training and learnerships to develop craft producers’ skills in creativity, business management, production and marketing.  There is also mentoring assistance and a referral system for craft enterprises.  It also helps craft producers to define their targeted niche markets and to reach them through channels such as local craft markets and consumer shows, retail outlets and trade show.  The CCDI promotes Cape craft under the brand of Handmade Cape.

In addition it has three programmes that support the development of the sector:
Rural Outreach (ensuring that the CCDI supports craft producers throughout the Western Cape); Communications (such as a monthly newsletter and website to update craft producers on latest news and trends);  and Resource Development.