Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Commune Fabrics is a platform that connects designers and creatives to sustainable textile solutions

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Commune Fabric is driven by a commitment to addressing the challenges brought on by fast fashion and climate change. Our innovative approach involves using plant-based substances and textile waste to create unique and sustainable fashion products. One of our most innovative techniques involves transforming and weaving of banana waste into sustainable fabrics, which are then used to make clothing, bags, and footwear. This not only helps reduce waste but also creates a unique and eco-friendly fashion statement. In addition, we also infuse textile waste, such as secondhand clothing and fabric offcuts, with new value in the market. By doing so, we help mitigate the environmental impact of fashion waste.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

We are addressing a growing concern about the fashion industry as a major contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for 10% of the annual total, According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, about 114 million tons of banana waste are generated annually worldwide, posing a threat to the environment and human health due to the emission of greenhouse gases and the spread of diseases. By utilizing this waste as a raw material for textile production, banana fiber can reduce the carbon footprint of the fashion industry by up to 30% per product.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Being that our innovative fabric is made from banana waste we look at reducing banana biomass and textile waste and promoting sustainable & ethical practices. To promote Sustainable practices with the use of weaving loom technology. We looking at connecting creatives and designers whom interested in use of eco friendly textile materials

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our target market is the growing number of; Eco-conscious fashionistas Designers, and Textile Business, Fashion Stores who seek to make a positive impact through their fashion choices with value sustainability, ethical production, and a unique style. The ethical fashion market was valued at nearly $7,548.2 million in 2022, With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% since 2017 Market The market is expected to grow upto $11,122.2 million in 2027 at a rate 8.1%. 2032 the market is expected to reach $16,819.0 million at a CAGR of 8.6%

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-09-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

10

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Mawejje Creations: Social Business revolutionizing the fashion industry, they carry 5+ experience in banana fiber extraction & production, weaving technology, and community & youth empowerment. Banana Growing Community, a community of skilled farmers who are providing us with banana waste( stems)

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://ug.linkedin.com/showcase/commune-fabric/

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Sustainable and Circular Fashion

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Our startup is on a mission to employ 200,000 people in all sectors of industry, cutting edge from agriculture, processing, manufacturing, and designing. To date, we have been able to work closely with 100+ people in the process of developing our product. with this poverty in all angels will be dealt with.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

being that we are using banana biomass, we anticipate an increase in banana production in the coming years than never before in our country, even though our food security is great in our country and we believe that zero hunger will be our top priority through feeding programs we ought to start in future

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

2

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

With Informal education on the increase, we specialize in supporting young people and teen mothers in exploring learning opportunities through forging partnerships we have established.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Being that our business is centered around gender equality, where young boys and girls plus women in the community work with us in production, marketing, and distributing.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Our solution's major focus and priority is using less water in production while promoting WASH projects in the community.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

With new ideas in place for our business idea, we opt to work 4 days a week and 8 hours per day, providing 200,000 jobs in formal and informal setting, with this we believe in growth of economic status

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

We are promoting sustainable production by using wasted/ discarded materials from the community which later are transformed into valuable fashionable products. with this business, we anticipate repurposing over 5tonnes of banana waste in the next 10 years.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

With issues of unattended biomass on land which are contributing to GHEs, we believe that using these materials we shall be in position to save off all these.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

3

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

4

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

4

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

3

05.08 Justification

We are driven by a commitment to addressing the challenges brought on by fast fashion and climate change. Our innovative approach involves using plant-based substances and textile waste to create unique and sustainable fashion products. One of our most innovative techniques involves transforming banana waste into Commune fabrics, which are then used to make clothing and bags. This not only helps reduce waste but also creates a unique and eco-friendly fashion statement. In addition, we also infuse textile waste, such as secondhand clothing and fabric offcuts, with new value in the market. By doing so, we help mitigate the environmental impact of fashion waste.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Our main competitor's are Banatex from Switzerland and TEXFAD from Uganda, we are the first in Uganda to develop a fabric which has been used in bag production in the country and also research in footwear

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes i do and most of everyone i work with is female