The European Union is supporting indigenous fashion brand Xe'il in Belize to preserve Mopan Maya cultural heritage while creating economic opportunities for women, according to a press release from the EU Delegation to Jamaica, Belize, and The Bahamas published on 8 July 2026. Through EU funding and partnership with the Sarstoon Temash Institute of Indigenous Management (SATIIM), the brand produces handcrafted pieces using xok'il chuuy (counted-stitch embroidery), a tradition passed down through generations. Women like Melania Salam, Lamberta Sho, Susana Pop, and Incris Marleni have benefited from training sessions that refine their skills and help them generate income from home. The initiative blends tradition with contemporary design, producing totes, shirts, and dresses for the sustainable fashion market.
The press release highlights the far-reaching impact across different experiences, skill levels, and cultures, strengthening women's independence and financial self-sufficiency.