Kolkata, April 12th, 2023: The Flipkart Foundation under Flipkart Group has partnered with All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA) to launch the project Greening the Way towards Success - Creating Sustainable Enterprises. The project is aimed at establishing a sustainable and replicable model that can foster green enterprises in the textile and handicraft sector in India. The year-long project would begin with the implementation of an entrepreneurial programme in two textile and handicraft enterprises in Birbhum, West Bengal- Chowhatta Kantha Stitch Cooperative Society Ltd. and Tarasankar Panchagram Seva Samity. This initiative will positively impact 1,265 individuals, comprising 265 direct and 1000 indirect beneficiaries.
The project activities would include design development, capacity building for developing business skills and green practices, brand enhancement through workshops on digital platforms and marketing tools, enhancing social security of artisans and advocacy for sustainable green enterprises.
Commenting on the partnership, Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart and Board of Director, Flipkart Foundation, said, “At the Flipkart Foundation, we aspire to create a bright future for all through an inclusive approach and actively seek opportunities to make a positive social impact. Our partnership with AIACA is a reflection of this very commitment. By promoting eco-friendly means and technologies, we hope to create an environmentally viable growth model that will also empower skilled workers from marginalised communities in the textile handicrafts sector. Through these efforts, we aim to provide more opportunities for the community in Birbhum district. We strongly believe in the potential of community-driven initiatives and look forward to making a significant change through this project.”
Speaking on this association, Meenu Chopra, Executive Director, AIACA, said, "Partnering with the Flipkart Foundation is a step in the right direction for us at AIACA, as we work towards creating a significant advancement for Craft communities, across India. With this programme, our aim is to generate sustainable livelihoods for women artisans working with the two enterprises while introducing a regenerative and sustainable Green model for Textile based enterprises, that can be replicated widely to promote sustainability in all aspects. This collaboration echoes our mutual commitment to building a better future for all, and we look forward to driving this change with the Flipkart Foundation by our side."
The programme also endeavours to create a Hub & Spoke Model for Green Enterprises in India with the prospective purpose of establishing a network of smaller businesses linked to a central hub in Delhi called "National Resource Facility Network (NRFN)”. The enterprises will be assessed for getting certified under Craftmark and advocacy will be carried out with customers and government departments to create a supportive ecosystem, with a focus on scalability and replicability.
