Tag: Social Impact

Providing a platform for local networks

On 15th October, we had the privilege of hosting the inaugural Fair Play Forum in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Convening social businesses, NGOs, artisan producers and fashion students involved in the craft and artisan sector, the Forum provided a platform for each of the stakeholders to engage with each other in meaningful conversation. Leaders from Arayana, DEW, […]

An online marketplace for Dharavi artisans

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 […]

Artesan Profile: Mayamiko, Malawi & UK

Having worked in the two thirds world in developing economies, Paola Masperi founded Mayamiko in 2008 as a charitable project with the aim of turning it into a sustainable business. Patterning with artisans in Malawi, Masperi was keen to take a holistic approach in providing individuals with opportunities through education, skills training and access to […]

Reflections on product development: developing a recycled sari skirt line

Product development takes place in different way, including suggestions from consumers. Meg Gerbrandt-Weibe,Member of the Board of the Fraser Valley Mennonite Central Committee – Canada, recently shared with us her experience of developing a line of recycled sari skits with Sacred Mark Enterprise. I grew up in a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) family in Manitoba. […]

Artesan Profile: Sacred Mark Enterprise, Bangladesh

Guest blogger Ishrat Jahan Deepa, Unit Manager – Sacred Mark Enterprise Established in March 2009, by the Mennonite Central Committee in Bangladesh (MCCB) Sacred Mark Enterprise provides alternative employment for former sex workers. The stories of these women involve abuse, victimization, trauma, and pain. A widow, an orphan, a rape victim, a mother with no […]

Artesan Profile: The Carpet Workshop, Bangladesh

Established in 1997, Protibondhi Community Center (PCC) was set-up to work with people with disabilities and their families. Founded by Taize brothers in Mymensingh, a city 125km north of Dhaka, Bangladesh, PCC provides health, education, medical and skills training through self-help groups and income generating projects, including the Mohila Women’s Club under which the Carpet […]

Artesan Profile: Threadapeutic, Indonesia

A conversation with Threadapeutic founder, Hana  How did the idea for Threadapeutic come about? Threadapeutic first started when I was working for an event, Indonesia Fashion Week 2015. I was assigned to make event souvenirs and souvenirs for the media people who were covering the event. The materials available for upcycling were leftover fabric, old […]

Artesan Profile: Chindi, India

We recently caught up with Tanushri Shukla, founder of Chindi,  a Mumbai based social enterprise working with marginalised women to provide employment through crafts, to learn more about the organization. AG: Tell us about Chindi. What inspired you to work with marginalized women and provide them employment through craft production? C: Chindi is about two […]

Value Chain Thinking

  By Guest Blogger, Nishant Das What is a value chain? A value chain is the entire system of processes that adds value to the customer at each stage, from transforming raw materials into a final product, delivering it to the final consumer, and final disposal after use. This chain is comprised of interdependent actors […]