The Big Issue Shop's latest brand is tackling rural poverty in Romania

’De ce?’ is a question. It means ‘why?’ in Romanian.

DECE is the newest brand to hit The Big Issue Shop and works to educate, employ and empower families living in poverty.

The social enterprise was founded nine years ago in north-west Romania where the Hungarian plain meets the picturesque Zarand mountains.

The team behind DECE started out working alongside the most impoverished families, listened to their stories and that, in turn, inspired them to empower those communities. DECE was born to help people develop the skills they needed to break out of cycles of generational poverty.

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From its humble beginnings selling crochet hats, DECE began producing simple leather products in 2013 and has grown into the holistic community development programme it is today.

In association with non-profit organisation NetWorks, DECE now boasts two small production hubs in north-west Romania where they work to educate, employ and empower the poorest families in those impoverished communities.

Joining The Big Issue Shop, DECE launched ‘The Explorer’, a full-grain handmade leather backpack. Its structured satchel-style design makes it stylish for the workplace yet practical enough to answer the call of adventure. Boasting contrasting colours, adjustable shoulder straps and a double buckle closure, this classic bag will assist you in all your explorations and expeditions!

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The Explorer structured style backpack is handmade from full-grain leather

And to match, there is a a simple wallet handmade from full-grain leather – perfect for housing all your essential cards and a little bit of emergency cash.

Shop the DECE collection here