Craft has always carried more than technique. In Afghanistan, carpet weaving is a skill passed through generations, and FBMI helps turn that inherited knowledge into sustainable work.

By providing looms, materials, vocational training and fair wages, FBMI gives artisans the resources they need to earn an income from their craft. For many women, including those working from home, weaving offers a way to support their families while remaining connected to their communities.

FBMI has directly employed more than 8,000 Afghan artisans and workers to date, many through handicrafts and agricultural work, alongside the wider communities involved in sourcing, making and design.

That story is now expanding. Through Zuleya’s new chapter in Abu Dhabi, Emirati women are learning the skills behind handmade carpets, continuing a craft tradition shaped by generations of knowledge and practice.

At the upcoming Zuleya Experience Centre, visitors will be able to see the process up close, from raw wool, washing and spinning to designing, dyeing, weaving and finishing. More than a production space, it will be a place where craft becomes visible, educational and alive.

Through this work, FBMI is building a bridge between heritage and contemporary culture: supporting Afghan artisans, creating opportunities for Emirati craftswomen, and keeping traditional skills part of the UAE’s creative future.