Some Earlier Projects


Design & Technological development in Dokra Cluster of Bikna, Bankura:
The project was completed in July 2005 that introduced new design concepts and a new product range, improved quality of material, introduced fuel efficient furnace systems adopted by the community. Moreover products were promoted to the international market, along with the community being benefited through new and improved products produced in a cost effective manner leading to better income and employment opportunity.

Leather project in Habra, North 24-parganas: Identities of artisans-embossed on leather-from tradition to modern functionality……Read More

Strengthening Textiles artisan groups at Kolkata
Sasha Textiles Artisans Association is a collective of dyers, printers, weavers and textile producer groups of more than 25 groups, mostly women’s groups. EDF assisted Artisan Association (AA) in:
• Strengthening its planning, order monitoring and reporting systems
• Renovating and expanding infrastructure of some small women groups
• Providing some production tools and machinery to some other textiles groups

It has so far benefited 6 groups directly.
Read more about our Kantha project....

Skill & product development of SHGS at Dattapulia, Nadia
SMS, a leading micro Finance organization approached EDF to impart trainings to its beneficiary Women’s SHGs. After a skill assessment, SASHA resource persons started imparting skill development and product development trainings thereafter leading to creation of product prototypes. This is a fee-based program of EDF.

Improving SASHA supply chain by integrated computerization
EDF is working on a 18-month project for integrating & computerizing SASHA business operations and linking it to producers and customers, as far as possible.

Food processing unit at Birnagar, Nadia
EDF undertook setting up a women’s food processing unit in partnership with Ushagram Trust- Lokosikshaniketan, starting with gourmet spices, and subsequently other food products. The program has been successful in launching a new unit with basic machineries; people and mostly women have been trained for spice making and hygienic production, sourcing of certified organic/ bio-farming ingredients is done to the extent of 80%, from Orissa, Kerala, West Bengal etc, basic systems of production planning, stock control, trace ability are put in place. Moreover these products have been included in RASA (Ruro Agro Services Association) range and promoted to international buyers, resulting in reasonable orders, leading to income and employment opportunities for some rural women.

Dyeing & Printing Unit at Parbatpur, Burdwan
EDF undertook scaling up of an existing unit by setting up new work-shed and installing additional screen tables, hot tables, boiler systems and effluent treatment plant. This project is financially supported by SASHA.

Developing supply chain of Cane & Bamboo at Tripura & West Bengal
EDF is working to create a complete product value chain where organic bamboos of Tripura are to be processes as finished products at Midnapur and marketed through SASHA. The other two partner organizations are BENU (Tripura) and CSWS (Midnapur). The organic certification of the bamboo is almost completed, the product line has been identified through artisans of Tripura (BENU), a common facility center has been put up at Midnapur (CSWS) and the artisans of Midnapur have been trained to assemble and supply finished prototypes to SASHA for market testing and promotion.

An external senior designer and EDF team along with the two partners BENU and CSWS are working in the project. The project aims to introduce new product range based on organic bamboo and other combination products, which will lead to employment & income opportunities both at Tripura and Midnapur.

Technical Helpline for crafts community & grassroots producers