British Council has worked with Applied Arts Scotland to develop the Digital Craft Toolkit in India, which is an e-learning platform which provides an opportunity for craft artisans and entrepreneurs globally to learn about craft business development. The toolkit aims to help craft entrepreneurs in upskilling, product development, and increased business insights, thus allowing craft artisans to earn more income, improve livelihoods, and become leaders of their own businesses in terms of both artisanal skills and business development. The project sits at the intersection of the crafts industry, technology and entrepreneurship.
India’s craft sector is the second largest employer in India (after agriculture) with over 200 million artisans (estimated). Considering the scale of the artisan community and enterprises in India, the potential of the Digital Craft Toolkit in India and its impact can be quite significant.
To activate the Hindi translated adapted Digital Craft Toolkit in India, British Council worked with Banglanatak to introduce the Digital Craft Toolkit in India with a focus on women micro entrepreneurs across diverse demographics for over 220+ craftspeople.
In June and July, a series of two-day training sessions were held across West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Bihar. In West Bengal, sessions were conducted with women practicing Kantha embroidery at Ausgram and Nanoor, wooden doll makers in Natungram, Sabai craft makers in Bandwan, Chhau mask makers in Charida, Dokra metal craft makers in Bikna, and scroll painters in Chandipur. In Rajasthan, training sessions took place at Patodi in Balotra for Juttie and Kasidakari makers and at Salawas in Jodhpur for Durrie weavers. In Madhubani, Bihar, the program was conducted with the students and faculty of Mithila Chitrakala Sansthan, an esteemed art institution under the Department of Art, Culture, and Youth Affairs. Trainers from Dunguripali Bunakar Produce Company Limited in Subarnapur, Odisha, were also oriented to roll out the toolkit with artists making wooden toys and handloom products.
The training involved various engaging theatre-based activities, which helped participants understand the importance of setting business goals, creating an annual plan, product diversification, stakeholder networking, customer segmentation, and marketing and costing. All participants expressed that the toolkit was incredibly useful for re-evaluating their current business approaches and making strategic shifts.