Going Green: Creating a greener textile industry in India
With a workforce of over 35 million people, the textiles sector is India’s second-largest employer; yet its contribution to the country’s development is hampered by poor environmental and health and safety practices. Misuse of natural resources is commonplace, and toxic chemicals cause pollution and health problems for artisans, many of whom are economically and socially vulnerable.
Govind dyeing textiles in his shop in Jaipur.
Credit: Traidcraft Exchange/Allison Joyce
Between 2014 and 2018, Traidcraft Exchange supported textile artisans in Northern India to form community-based organisations and associations to enhance their negotiating position and establish a recognised, collective identity. The project linked 13,000 artisans to social security entitlements and provided training on eco-friendly production practices and occupational health and safety.
Project name: Going Green
Where did we work? Northern India; states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh
How long for? January 2014 - December 2018 (4 years)
Who benefited? 15,000 textiles artisans
Project aims:
To directly contribute to economic competitiveness and poverty reduction in India by reducing the economic, social and environmental costs of the textile industry
To build sustainable businesses of textile artisans and improve their working conditions through efficient eco-friendly processes, access to resources and increased demand for ‘green’ products
Who did we work with? Our partner AIACA (All India Artisans and Craftworkers Association) with funding from the European Union.
For more information about this project, please contact programmes@transform-trade.org
To learn more about our work on Sustainable Textiles in India, please have a read of our Programme Briefing which explains the programme’s approaches, achievements and lessons in more depth.