DigiKargha
Digitally empowering handloom clusters and weaver communities of India since 2007
India’s craft traditions and living craft skills, passed on from generation to generation, are not just an important part of its cultural identity but a crucial means of sustenance for numerous communities. According to official figures, there are about 70 lakh artisans engaged in craft production for their livelihood. As per unofficial figures, there are about 20 crore artisans who form the backbone of India’s non-farm rural economy.
Keeping this in mind and inspired by the Chanderiyaan model, Digital Empowerment Foundation in partnership with various CSR groups initiated a number of projects under the Digital Cluster Development Programme (DCDP) that primarily involves inclusive and decentralised use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and other digital tools in critical aspects of cluster development, especially improving and scaling up weaving skills, designs, marketing and entrepreneurship, besides creating sustainable livelihood options for the youth in the clusters.
Since 2015, DEF has adopted the handloom clusters of Saidanpur in Uttar Pradesh in partnership with Ericsson; Barpali & Nuapatna in Odisha, Kollegal in Karnataka, and Pochampalli in Telangana in partnership with Microsoft; Musiri in Tamil Nadu in partnership with Mphasis; Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu in partnership with Nokia; Warli in Maharashtra with UNDP; and more handloom clusters are in the pipeline.
In 2017, DEF established DigiKargha Foundation (North), a Section 8 company, to support its cluster under the Digital Cluster Development Programme (DCDP) in an effort to lead them towards maturity and sustainability through digital empowerment and socio-economic sustainability.
Read more about the project on www.dcdpindia.org
Status:
Ongoing
Impact:
- 9 artisan clusters have been introduced to digital interventions
- 10,000+ people have been trained in digital literacy in artisan clusters
- 1,000+ youth from weaver clusters have been trained in digital designing
- 100+ songs have been digitally archived