Industree Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to developing sustainable livelihoods for women artisans, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched today the Bamboo Research Centre in Channapatna, Karnataka, in partnership with the Karnataka Chapter of the National Bamboo Mission.

This Resource Centre is the first step toward setting up women-owned collectives in the bamboo value chain under Industree Foundation’s “Producer-Owned Women Enterprises” (POWER) Project, supported by USAID under the White House Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative launched by Ivanka Trump in 2019.

Highlighting the need to invest in empowering indigenous women artisans, Ramona El Hamzaoui, Acting Mission Director, USAID/India, said: ““Women are important contributors in their communities’ culture, traditions and economy and their skills must be acknowledged and supported. The W-GDP Initiative aims to economically empower women across the globe and we are thankful to the Bamboo Mission in Karnataka for providing this facility for the project to achieve this goal. USAID is confident that these empowered women will spur positive social and economic impacts in their important communities.”

Inaugurating the Resource Centre, Mr. Sanjay Mohan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Forest Department, Government of Karnataka said: “Government shall look into sustained supply of required raw materials for women artisans skilled at this centre. Department is promoting bamboo plantations outside forest areas and on farmer’s fields. These plantations shall ensure sustained supply of bamboo in future.  We are planning to put in a place FSC certification and chain of custody for bamboo products that shall help in getting higher value for the products.”

Ms. Neelam Chibber, Co-Founder and Managing Trustee, Industree Foundation, added: "At a time like this, when we are globally trying to deal with a pandemic, it is heartening to see multiple entities come together to support the creative sector, in particular women. Supported by USAID, the POWER project has helped us initiate a Bamboo Resource Centre in Channapatna and create a platform for the very skilled bamboo Medhar community to reach global buyers and the growing conscious consumer. These are examples of resilience and sustainability that need to grow and get replicated not only across India, but globally if we are to uplift people from poverty while safeguarding the planet."

The Medhars of Karnataka have been an integral part of the bamboo value chain since 1200 A.D. because of their skill and techniques. Yet, they have not benefited economically or socially due to lack of formal and consistent skilling initiatives. The Resource Centre will house a “Livelihoods and Business Incubator” which will help artisans, including Medhars, develop new products well-suited for global and Indian buyers and will showcase their rich and diverse products. This initiative will improve the artisans’ ability to evolve their practice, while empowering them economically and socially through profitable market opportunities.

The POWER project over three years will create 28 women-owned enterprises that will connect 6,800 women producers to commercial supply chains in natural and biodegradable products based on banana fibre, bamboo and non-timber forest products. Overall, the project will indirectly impact 54,560 individuals across craft communities.

Among those also present at the Centre’s launch were Alka Bhargava, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare; R K. Srivastava, Karnataka Chapter, National Bamboo Mission; and Randeep Singh Arora, President - Supply Chain & Quality, FabIndia.

For a virtual tour of the centre, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAWz460fAgY&feature=youtu.be

About Industree Foundation

Industree Foundation is an inspirational social enterprise that has been working with underserved women producers and indigenous tribes for the last 24 years. Industree works with a women-centered approach in communities to equip them with the necessary skills and tools to set up collectively owned enterprises close to their homes and yet a part of mainstream value chains. Industree works extensively in apparel and lifestyle value chains with great potential to herald in supply chains of the future that have positive social and environmental footprints. Industree is currently supported by both funders and investors that include USAID, HSBC, Target Foundation, UNDP, British Asian Trust, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and International Trade Center, Geneva. You can read more about its work on www.industree.org.in.

About USAID

USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. Women’s economic empowerment is the core of USAID’s development agenda.

About The W-GDP Initiative

In February 2019, the White House established the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, the first whole-of-government approach to women’s economic empowerment. W-GDP seeks to reach 50 million women in the developing world by 2025 by focusing on three pillars – Women Prospering in the Workforce, Women Succeeding as Entrepreneurs and Women Enabled in the Economy. W-GDP leverages a new innovative fund, scaling private-public partnerships which address the three pillars. In its first year alone, W-GDP programs reached 12 million women across the globe.

About POWER Project

Industree’s “Producer Owned Women Enterprises” (POWER) project is designed to empower marginalized women in the Indian forestry landscape to build women-owned enterprises and connect them to national and international supply chains for natural and biodegradable fibre products. The program is funded by USAID under the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative. Producers in the proposed units receive tailored professional assistance to grow the skills and networks needed as employees and entrepreneurs.