WEAN Multipurpose Co-operative

It supports women entrepreneurs by engaging them in the value chain of business through economic activities. Woman Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (WEAN) Multipurpose Co-operative was established in 1991 under the Co-operative Act of Government of Nepal, by a group of passionate enterprising women who wanted to support the economic and social empowerment of Nepalese women. Thus WEAN Multipurpose Co-operative was established as the first organization in Nepal to market merchandise produced by Nepalese women living in the urban and rural areas. Since its initiation the Co-operative has been assisting women to come to the forefront of economic activities by supporting the establishment of small- and micro-level industries and other entrepreneurial ventures. It also extends support services through professional development and training. The Co-operative currently has a total of two hundred forty members from various districts of Nepal. Members of WEAN Multipurpose Co-operative produce a wide range of handicraft and food products that are sold both locally and internationally in Germany, England, the Netherlands, Australia, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Members have the flexibility to develop new products based on customer’s specifications and requests. In order to help its members enhance their skills and knowledge the Co-operative created Woman Power, a group that works in partnership with European designers to develop products according to the demand and trends of the international market.