Bazart Kreasion: empowering women through creativity, sustainability and entrepreneurship

Bazart Kreasion was created to empower women. On 12 May 2026, six women completed an entrepreneurship training programme and received their certification. The same day, it was announced that the social enterprise will transition into a cooperative structure led by the women themselves. After fourteen years inside ER Foundation, Bazart Kreasion is passing into the hands of the women who built it.

Launched in 2012 by ER Foundation (formerly ENL Foundation), Bazart Kreasion had a clear mission: to empower women from underserved communities in the Moka and Saint-Pierre regions through literacy training, handicraft workshops, and entrepreneurship development. Today, located at Railway, Telfair, it is a social enterprise where creativity, sustainability, and women's empowerment drive economic and social impact.

Bazart Kreasion forms part of ER Foundation's Youth and Adult Career Development programme and contributes to ER's Inclusive Development and Circular Economy pillars of the Group's Sustainability Framework.

A cooperative led by women

The entrepreneurship training completed on 12 May 2026, led by coach Michael Pompeia, provided the artisans with the tools to operate in today's business environment and the ability to train others and share their expertise. The women are now registered with the National Women Entrepreneur Council (NWEC), further supporting their professional development.

"Becoming a cooperative will allow them to take greater ownership of their activities, strengthen their autonomy, and collectively shape the future of Bazart Kreasion," explains Priscilla Vencatapillay, Women Empowerment Specialist at ER Foundation, who has accompanied the women since 2014.

The artisans will soon share their savoir-faire through training sessions with other women from other regions where ER Group operates, including Bel Ombre, Dagotière, Port Louis, Sainte Catherine, and Telfair. Future collaborations with Fam Unie Foundation, tourism operators, ER Group subsidiaries, and NWEC are underway.

A journey of growth, skills and empowerment

When the initiative first began, around 75 women joined, benefiting from literacy classes alongside hands-on craft training. What started as a small empowerment project gradually grew into a structured platform for personal development, financial autonomy, and social inclusion.

At the heart of Bazart Kreasion are women who transform recycled materials into original handcrafted creations that are both artistic and environmentally responsible. Their creations include decorative bowls, baskets, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and handcrafted candles, among others, and are sold through their craft boutique.

"When Bazart Kreasion started in 2012, the aim was not only to teach women how to create handicrafts, but to help them regain their confidence, develop their talents and achieve autonomy. Over the years, I have witnessed transformations, women who once doubted themselves becoming entrepreneurs, decision-makers and role models within their families and communities", shares Priscilla Vencatapillay.

Strengthening impact through partnerships

In 2017, with financial support from the European Union, ER Foundation expanded its support to an additional 60 women in the Moka region, providing capacity-building programmes, craft training, and sustainable upcycling techniques delivered by specialised coaches.

That support also contributed to the official opening of the Bazart Kreasion boutique in 2018, a dedicated space for women to create and showcase their handcrafted products. In 2020, the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives enabled additional training programmes, consolidating the women's skills and entrepreneurial capacity.

The beneficiaries also have the opportunity to sell their artisanal products to hotels, organise workshops with tourists, and participate in markets, enabling them to achieve financial autonomy and strengthen their self-confidence.

Over the years, Bazart Kreasion has empowered over 150 women, many of whom have either pursued personal projects or launched their own businesses. Today, seven women, namely Encamah, Jessica, Mariam, Oomadevi, Renu, Sangeeta and Umadevi, remain at Bazart Kreasion, driven by their passion for crafting and recycling, and each bringing their own expertise to the enterprise.  

Alignment with ER Group Sustainability Framework

Bazart Kreasion aligns with ER’s Sustainability Framework through its commitment to social inclusion, women empowerment, circular economy principles and community development. The initiative supports the Group’s Inclusive Development and Circular Economy pillars.

Today, many of the women previously or currently involved in the initiative are economically independent and actively contributing to their communities. Beyond the technical skills acquired through handicraft production, the beneficiaries have also strengthened their confidence, autonomy and sense of entrepreneurship.