Basmeh & Zeitooneh | Made in Lebanon
Stitching resilience, dignity and craftsmanship into every piece.
About Basmeh & Zeitooneh
Basmeh & Zeitooneh, meaning “a smile and an olive,” is a Lebanese relief and development organisation founded in 2012 to support vulnerable and displaced communities. Alongside its humanitarian work, it runs a livelihoods program built around craftsmanship, best known through its embroidery workshop in the Shatila neighbourhood of Beirut, where women create handmade textiles and accessories.
The workshop trains and employs women, many of them refugees and members of host communities, to produce embroidered bags, cushions, garments and accessories that blend traditional stitching with contemporary design. Sales from these artisan goods provide the makers with income and a sense of purpose, turning a humanitarian initiative into a recognised social-enterprise brand.
Business Information
| Name | Basmeh & Zeitooneh |
| Ownership | Lebanese-owned |
| Based In | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Category | Handmade & Artisan Goods |
| Website | basmeh-zeitooneh.org |
| What They Offer | Handmade embroidered bags, accessories and textiles, plus relief and livelihoods programs |
Why Basmeh & Zeitooneh Matters
Basmeh & Zeitooneh transforms craft into empowerment. Its embroidery studio gives marginalised women a safe workplace, skills and independent income, while keeping traditional needlework alive. Each handmade piece carries a human story of survival and creativity, making the organisation a powerful model of how artisanship can drive social change in Lebanon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Basmeh & Zeitooneh do?
It provides relief and development services to vulnerable communities and runs an embroidery workshop where women produce handmade artisan goods for sale.
Is Basmeh & Zeitooneh Lebanese?
Yes. It was founded in Lebanon in 2012 and its flagship craft studio operates in the Shatila area of Beirut.
How can I support their work?
You can buy the workshop’s embroidered products, donate to its programs, or partner with it on livelihood and relief initiatives.
What makes their products distinctive?
Each item is handmade by women artisans and combines traditional Levantine embroidery with modern, wearable designs.
What social mission drives the organisation?
It aims to restore dignity and self-reliance to displaced and vulnerable people through relief, education and income-generating craftsmanship.
Discover More Lebanese Brands
Basmeh & Zeitooneh proves that craft can change lives. Explore more artisan-led social enterprises in our Made in Lebanon directory.
