Mapping and Quantifying Social Impact in the Handworker Economy

Nest is a nonprofit organization that works with cross-sector collaborators to bring radical transparency, data-driven development, and fair market access to the informal economy of artisan handicrafts. Nest’s new Ethical Compliance certification works to ensure industry-wide compliance for production taking place beyond the four-walled factory. Nest engaged a Capstone team to evaluate the ongoing rollout of this compliance program. The team conducted fieldwork with two artisan businesses in India, mapping the production supply chains and conducting interviews with artisans and producers. Following their research, the team offered recommendations on Nest’s use of supply chain mapping software with artisan partners around the world. The team also prepared a framework for measuring the social impact of compliance certification. These deliverables provide Nest with tools to conduct forecasting and sensitivity analyses and empower Nest with information about human and environmental impact that can be utilized during negotiations with brands and funders.