Dharavi, Mumbai is home to what is often referred to as one of the largest slums in Asia. Depicted in several films, including Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay and Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, it is a city within a city and home to over 1million people.
Dharavi is often cited for the informal economy and enterprise that exists within its boundaries. In fact, products and goods made from leather, pottery and textiles are produced and sold domestically and internationally.
We were encouraged to learn from an article in Al Jazeera, that an online marketplace has now been created for the artisan community that exists within Dharavi. Started in 2014, the Dharavi Market, is the first online marketplace that sells products produced by artisans from the slum. It is a for-profit initiative that aims to connect the artisans directly with consumers on a local and global scale.
“Business to consumer” seems to be a great way for social businesses and social enterprises to interact and engage both producers and consumer. We’ve definitely noticed a lot of traction with this approach in our sector and look forward to following the Dharavi Market’s success in the years to come.
For more information about the Dharavi Market click here.