Partner Organisation
HCL Foundation
Status
done
Category
Livelihoods
Location
, Uttar Pradesh, India
Participants
2043+
The "Women Empowerment Through Livelihood and Leadership Development (WELL)" project, a collaborative initiative between Jaipur Rugs Foundation (JRF) and other CSR partners. This extension focused on providing comprehensive, market-linked livelihood opportunities through rug-weaving skill development, coupled with leadership training aimed at fostering financial independence, enhancing self-esteem, and empowering women within their communities.
Skill Development and Training: This is a core service. The Foundation conducts intensive training programs to
teach the art of hand-knotted rug weaving, including specific skills like carding and spinning. These are not just
technical lessons; they are designed to turn unskilled individuals, especially women, into proficient artisans.
Livelihood Generation: The most direct solution is the provision of a sustainable, dignified livelihood.
The Foundation connects the newly trained weavers and artisans directly to the Jaipur Rugs supply chain, providing
them with looms, raw materials, and a steady stream of work. This enables them to earn a regular income
without having to migrate from their villages.
Social and Community Development: The Foundation understands that economic upliftment is only part of the
solution. They run several social programs, including:
• Financial Inclusion: Educating weavers and artisans about banking services and helping them access
government welfare schemes.
• Health and Well-being: Organizing door-to-door healthcare services, conducting health and eye camps,
and providing awareness on topics like menstrual hygiene.
• Alternative Education: Providing functional literacy programs that teach beneficiaries how to read,
write, and perform basic calculations.
Artistic Empowerment: A unique solution offered is the Manchaha program, which means "expression of my
heart." This initiative allows weavers to design their own rugs for the first time, transforming them from
laborers into artists. This creative outlet empowers them, instils confidence, and connects their unique
personal stories to the global market.
The intervention serves to address the underneath purpuses:
• Women Empowerment through financial independence
• Comprehensive market-linked value-chain development
• Market-linked Livelihood at the doorstep to Artisans
• Self-employment through advanced skill development
• Fair and timely wages and well being
• Reduction in Migration
• Development of leadership skills in weavers, especially women
• Direct Domestic and International Market linkages
In Hardoi district, with support from HCL Foundation, JRF trained more than 2400 artisans. The initiative enhanced local livelihoods and promoted economic resilience among women, fostering long-term sustainability and community development.
The skill development programme goes beyond technical training and actively nurtures grassroots leadership through a Train the Trainer model that creates Bunkar Sakhis. Bunkar Sakhis are women artisans who emerge as leaders within their communities. A Bunkar Sakhi takes ownership of the entire training cycle and acts as a mentor and guide for fellow artisans. She is responsible for maintaining quality standards, coordinating production processes, and supporting continuous skill upgradation. By placing leadership within the community, the programme strengthens peer learning, builds accountability, and fosters a positive and collaborative work culture among artisans.
Alongside skill training, a range of social development initiatives run parallel to the training sessions to support holistic well being and long term sustainability. These include the distribution of Artisan Cards for formal recognition and access to benefits, financial literacy and financial inclusion programmes that promote savings, banking, and informed decision making, and linkages with relevant government welfare schemes. Regular eye and health camps address critical healthcare needs, while exposure visits broaden artisans’ perspectives by introducing them to best practices, new markets, and successful models beyond their own villages. Together, these integrated efforts ensure that skill development is reinforced by leadership, social security, and well being, leading to stronger and more resilient artisan communities.
Dhapha Ji began weaving carpets out of necessity rather than passion, finding the craft initially challenging. However, through dedicated learning and support, she developed into a skilled innovator and award-winning artist.
Though she believed her lack of formal education was a barrier to success, Chelu Ji's powerful determination earned her the role of a warehouse in-charge with Jaipur Rugs. With her earnings, she has since transformed her life, replacing her long daily walk with a bike and turning her humble hut into a solid brick house.
Shanti Devi turned deep suffering into a powerful weaving movement. Her compassionate leadership now uplifts an entire community of artisans.
It is the story of Krishna Ji of Manpura whose life transformed when Jaipur Rugs recognized her talent and provided fair opportunities, opening doors to travel, financial security, and a deep sense of pride in her craft.
Though she believed her lack of formal education was a barrier to success, Chelu Ji's powerful determination earned her the role of a warehouse in-charge with Jaipur Rugs. With her earnings, she has since transformed her life, replacing her long daily walk with a bike and turning her humble hut into a solid brick house.
You invest in people, skills, healthcare, heritage and hope. From every home we reach to every loom we light up, your participation creates ripples of change that last generations.