The British Council, a renowned organization dedicated to building cultural connections and educational opportunities worldwide, has established a strong presence in India. Beyond promoting language learning and academic exchange, the Council actively contributes to India's social fabric through various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This interview with TheCSRUniverse focuses on the Council's innovative approach to sustainability, specifically its recently launched New Landscapes India: R&D Grant Scheme.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to propel India's textile industry towards a more sustainable future by fostering collaboration between Indian and UK organizations. By focusing on research and development (R&D) in sustainable fashion, textiles, and technology, the scheme seeks to empower Indian designers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to develop innovative solutions alongside their UK counterparts. This collaborative approach not only fosters knowledge sharing and cross-cultural exchange but also empowers participants to address the environmental and social challenges plaguing the fashion industry, such as pollution and resource consumption.
The interview with Alison Barrett MBE, Director India at the British Council, delves into the scheme's details, including its eligibility criteria, partnership with the University of the Arts London, and anticipated impact. Additionally, the conversation explores the Council's broader commitment to India, encompassing its work in the creative economy, arts and culture, and education. By fostering collaboration and promoting innovation, the British Council's CSR initiatives strive to not only address pressing environmental concerns but also strengthen the cultural bridge between India and the UK. This interview promises insightful revelations into the Council's multifaceted approach to creating a more sustainable and interconnected world.
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Q. Please tell us about New Landscapes India: R&D Grant Scheme - what are the primary objectives around which this scheme has been conceptualised and how does it align with the British Council’s broader mission?
A. The New Landscapes India: R&D Grant Scheme will help nurture and support new ideas shaping the future of sustainable fashion, textiles, and technology. It aims to nudge India's textile industry towards sustainability and innovation by fostering collaborations between Indian and UK organisations. This 3-year scheme hopes to nurture a culture that values sustainability and social responsibility among emerging designers and businesses in India, asking them to address environmental and labour challenges while leveraging India's rich heritage in craftsmanship and creativity. These challenges include pollution and resource consumption particularly in dyeing and finishing processes. The grants are for collaborative projects between Indian SMEs, designers, researchers, and UK counterparts. The partnership with the University of the Arts London presents an exciting opportunity for Indian designers and SMEs to engage in sustainable innovation and contribute to a more eco-conscious future.
Q. What is the duration of this scheme, the number of available grants for collaborative projects between Indian and UK stakeholders, and what are the key eligibility criteria for Indian applicants?
A. This is a three-year initiative. The scheme will offer seven grants of up to £7,000 each for collaborative projects between Indian SMEs, designers, researchers, entrepreneurs, institutions, collectives, or non-profits and their UK counterparts, with support from the British Council and the University of the Arts London (UAL).For Indian applicants, key eligibility criteria include representing an entity with a minimum of three years' experience, engaging in partnerships with UK entities, showcasing robust collaboration and mutual benefits in their proposals, and demonstrating capacity to execute projects between April and September 2024. Additionally, successful applicants are expected to host a public event presenting their project outcomes by late 2024.
Q. In what ways do you foresee this scheme contributing to fostering innovation and research in sustainable fashion, textiles, and technology?
A. The grant is inviting proposals that will focus on innovation and research in sustainable fashion, textiles, and technology. It provides a platform for Indian designers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to join forces with their UK counterparts in developing research and innovative solutions in thematic areas like sustainability, materials, manufacturing and commerce, retail engagement and digital.The aim is to empower stakeholders to implement eco-friendly solutions and reassess their impact on society and the environment. This collaboration, driven by shared values of environmental consciousness and creativity, promises a more sustainable future for the global fashion industry.
Q. Are there any guidelines as to what would be considered as ‘sustainable fashion’ under this scheme?
A. New Landscapes India will fund projects with outputs that align to UAL’s themes. UAL takes a holistic approach to sustainability, focusing on social and financialmpacts in addition to environmental impacts. Examples of project outputs include but are not limited to current practice and lifecycle analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), prototyping, business models and circular economy innovations. Applicants need to execute projects between April and September 2024 and display their findings later that year.Looking ahead, sustainable fashion in India shows promise with a shift towards conscious consumerism and responsible practices. Expect a rise in circular fashion, where upcycling, recycling, and waste reduction take centre stage. More brands will emphasise transparency, local production, and eco-friendly materials, aligning with global trends. This shift also values traditional craftsmanship, contributes to environmental preservation, and empowers local communities.
Q. Please elaborate a little on your collaboration with the University of the Arts London and its role in designing and implementing the scheme.
A. The University of the Arts London (UAL) is a key partner in the New Landscapes India: R&D Grant Scheme. The scheme is led by the Fashion, Textiles, and Technology Institute (FTTI) at UAL, in collaboration with the British Council. FTTI will provide comprehensive support to participants, including mentorship from seasoned academics and FTTI staff, as well as exclusive opportunities for showcasing their work. Successful completion of projects in the first year will provide grantees with an opportunity to secure further funding in the second year. The project is a significant step towards promoting sustainable and ethical fashion while celebrating India's fashion heritage and innovation. UAL is committed to providing comprehensive support to participants and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices in the field, and this initiative promises to be a steppingstone to that.
Q. British Council actively works in the sphere of Arts. India has a rich history of different types of arts although we need to do more towards preservation and promotion of the same. Given your experience, what suggestions would you give to policymakers and other stakeholders in this regard.
A. Preserving and promoting India's diverse artistic heritage is vital and we work continuously with partners and policymakers across India to ensure this. Investing in digitisation efforts—creating digital archives, online exhibitions, and virtual tours—can make these treasures accessible globally. Fostering collaborations between institutions, artists, and communities can be a game-changer.
We collaborated with partners to launch Festivals from India, a unique online platform that showcases India’s cultural festivals and connections with UK festivals and artists to develop new audiences for the festivals sector, both online and offline, through building cultural tourism. Our work in the creative economy focuses on research and thought leadership to help policymakers realise the value of creative industries to the economy.
Q. Please give us a glimpse of your ongoing work in India pertaining to arts and culture and some of the most noteworthy achievements in the recent past.
A. Our work in India regarding arts and culture is intertwined with our focus on education and economic growth. We want to build strong connections between the youth in India and the UK, and seek a shared future through initiatives in arts, culture, education, and English language development. This aligns with the UK-India Roadmap 2030 and NEP 2020.In the past year, we engaged over 30.5 million individuals in India. We recognise that art has a pivotal role in sustainable development. This recognition drives our investments in research, dialogue, and capacity-building to address pressing global challenges. Within arts, our efforts focus on facilitating collaborations between artists and arts professionals in the UK and India, bolstering the creative economies of both nations. We also actively advocate for the integration of arts, culture, and education in discussions on climate change and sustainability, working towards viable solutions. Our initiative, the India/UK Together Season of Culture, to mark India's 75th anniversary, served as a platform for exceptionally talented yet undiscovered artists. Over 51 artistic collaborations involving 1,945 artists reached and captivated over 14 million individuals. A recent milestone includes our collaborative report with Fashion Revolution, India, shedding light on the interconnection between crafts, the climate crisis, and the potential for sustainable fashion.
Q. In what ways does the British Council collaborate with various partners, institutions, organizations and other social sector stakeholders to promote cultural exchange and educational opportunities?
A. We collaborate extensively across a range of partners and sectors to enhance cultural exchange and educational opportunities globally.We work with educational institutions worldwide, forging partnerships that involve teacher training, curriculum development, and facilitating student exchanges and joint research endeavours. Additionally, we collaborate with arts and cultural organisations, supporting artists and creative industries to showcase their work internationally and fostering cultural dialogue through diverse artistic mediums.Our engagements with government bodies facilitate policy dialogues, educational reforms, and cultural diplomacy initiatives to promote understanding between nations. Collaborations with NGOs and civil society groups help us reach marginalised communities, provide educational resources, and conduct social projects, especially in regions with limited access to education and cultural exchange.Moreover, aligning efforts with international organisations such as UNESCO and the UN allows us to share resources and expertise and work towards common global goals related to education and cultural exchange. Engaging with youth and community groups empowers young individuals, providing them with skills, cultural exposure, and platforms for cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.Through initiatives such as our programmes in Tamil Nadu, we have demonstrated our commitment by impacting 50,000 marginalised youth through English upskilling. This aligns with our Global Gateway Programme, reinforcing India's national education policy and fostering quality education and skills enhancements for Indian students.These collaborations take various forms, from joint projects and exchange programmes to co-funded initiatives and shared resources. Our ability to collaborate across such a wide spectrum of partners enables us to have a far-reaching impact, promoting cultural exchange and creating educational opportunities worldwide.
Q. Looking ahead, how do you see British Council growing in India in terms of reach and impact in the near future? Which initiatives/projects do you feel are going to be the highlights of this journey?
A. We are committed to fostering connections and collaborations between India and the UK across various sectors. We are deeply invested in initiatives that support India's climate change goals, aiming to reduce emissions and bolster resilience in alignment with global agreements. Simultaneously, we will work with partners to nurture India's creative sector, encompassing policy development, and empowering local talent to foster international understanding. Our priorities include improving standards in language education, forging impactful partnerships in higher education and creating opportunities for people through collaborations with government bodies and partners. We are dedicated to supporting research and development in critical areas of global concern. Key highlights on our journey include initiatives like strengthening educational partnerships with Indian institutions for skill development and exchanges, organising diverse cultural events to promote dialogue and understanding, enhancing English language programmes for communication and employability, and engaging at the grassroots level to build sustainable community relationships. These endeavours underscore our commitment to growth through partnerships, digital solutions, and enriching exchanges, which we believe will significantly impact individuals and communities across India.
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