The Hidden Homeworkers project represents a significant initiative in addressing the often-overlooked challenges faced by homeworkers in the garment and cotton sectors. This four-year collaboration, co-funded by the European Union, brought together Transform Trade (formerly Traidcraft Exchange), Homeworkers Worldwide, and HomeNet South Asia. The project’s primary objectives were twofold: extending supply chain transparency beyond the first tier while strengthening homeworkers’ communities through collectivization and improved access to basic services. We were onboarded as consultants to evaluate the impact and success of the Hidden Homeworkers projects.
Snapshot of the Partnership
Our evaluation partnership, spanning from September to December 2023, employed a comprehensive mixed-methods approach to assess the project’s effectiveness. Through extensive desk research, qualitative interviews, and focus group discussions, we engaged with diverse stakeholders including homeworkers, brands, and multi-stakeholder initiatives. This approach allowed us to examine both the quantitative outcomes and qualitative impacts of the project across its implementation regions.
The evaluation process brought together various perspectives from Transform Trade and partner organisations, homeworkers and their communities, brands and retailers, policy makers, and multi-stakeholder initiatives. Through these interactions, we gained valuable insights into the project’s achievements and challenges, particularly in adapting to unexpected circumstances such as the global pandemic and natural disasters.
Our Impact
The project’s reach extended across three countries, five cities, and involved coordination among ten global teams, creating significant impact at multiple levels. Our evaluation revealed substantial progress in increasing recognition of homeworkers within global supply chains, alongside enhanced awareness among workers about their rights, health, and entitlements. The project successfully established effective communication channels across partner organisations and demonstrated remarkable adaptability in response to changing circumstances.
A particularly noteworthy achievement has been the project’s contribution to building momentum for the homeworkers’ rights movement. Through transnational coalitions and networks, the initiative has created lasting infrastructure for continued advocacy and support.
Key Learnings and Takeaways
This journey is not short, there is a long way to go ahead.
– Goma Pandey, Advocacy Manager at CLASS Nepal
Our evaluation revealed that the Hidden Homeworkers project has established itself as a foundational initiative in prioritising homeworkers’ rights, with significant momentum that must be sustained through continued networking and coalition building. This understanding of the project’s long-term nature has highlighted the importance of building lasting transnational coalitions while strengthening operational infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the evaluation uncovered crucial insights about stakeholder engagement and operational efficiency that will shape future initiatives. Kratika Choubey from Transform Trade points to the need for earlier business engagement: “One thing I would’ve done differently is that we’ll include businesses within the consultation process as well to ensure that the project is suitable for them to engage in it.” This perspective is complemented by Sarbani Kattel from Home Net South Asia, who notes, “It is important to engage local stakeholders meaningfully as well, beyond just engaging with the central stakeholders. This requires a strategic rethinking of how we use our resources.”
These learnings provide a framework for future interventions that can more effectively address the complex challenges of supply chain transparency while maintaining focus on homeworkers’ rights.