June 21, 2021, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
The U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (“Atameken”) announce today the launch of a joint project “Born Nomad” to support women’s entrepreneurship, promote traditional crafts in foreign markets, and to preserve cultural heritage through the development of the creative industries.
The national contest “Born Nomad – Power Award” aims to revive and popularize Kazakh heritage and inspire modern interpretations of traditional crafts and folk art of Kazakhstan.
The project is sponsored by Chevron and ExxonMobil, partners of the competition are KazTrade, KazPost, the Creative Industries Project Office, the Kazakhstan Creative Council, the Association of Businesswomen of Kazakhstan, the Alliance of Female Power of Kazakhstan, the Council of Businesswomen of Atameken, and the Almaty College of Decorative and Applied Arts.
Creating equal opportunities and strengthening the economic role of women is a foreign policy priority of the United States. “We know that where women prosper, countries thrive,” said Ambassador William Moser.
The project seeks to establish commercial synergies between the United States and Kazakhstan by building an ecosystem where empowered artisans interact and collaborate with tradecrafts experts, online retailers, and stakeholders from the creative industries.
The “Born Nomad” project consists of three components: An online platform for international exposure, educational opportunities, and connections with U.S. online retailers; a nationwide talent contest; and the Forum and Festival to showcase best creations, announce competition winners, and host panels to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the creative economies.
Participants will compete in the following categories: Tradition & Culture, Innovation, Female Master, Young Talent, Crafts in 3D and Creative Collaboration. The selection committee consisting of experts and representatives of professional circles from the United States and Kazakhstan will determine the winners.
“We have a unique opportunity to bring craft entrepreneurship to a new level. This is especially important for women’s businesses, and we are ready to provide all support through the project ’Bastau,’ in which for the last 4 years, more than 150 thousand people, 52% of them women, have learned the basics of micro and small business and more than 2000 handicraft projects have been implemented,” said Chairman of the Board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan “Atameken” Ablay Myrzakhmetov.
To conclude the project, a Forum and Festival will be held in September. Speakers at the event and mentors will include international organizations, American crafts associations, and tradecrafts experts. For more information and terms of participation, please fill out the registration form or contact us at info.bornnomad@gmail.com