Indian Social Enterprise Leads from the Front

The Schwab Foundation, which is an associate of the World Economic Forum (WEF) has chosen a social enterprise called Industree Crafts Foundation as the "India Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2011." Industree Crafts, along with its partner Jubilant Bhartia Group, has earned this recognition for its exemplary work in promoting the cause of India's skilled artisan community.

Industree Crafts Foundation is a social enterprise with a mission to adopt and support the skilled artisans of India, who do not lack in talent, but lack in opportunity. The foundation is helping them move up the value chain by finding a global market for their creativity. Industree Crafts incubates grass-root communities and encourages them to become entrepreneurs themselves.

Industree Crafts is not only closely engaged in the production processes with these artisans, but also runs its own retail operations under the brand "Mother Earth" to create a profitable market for their products. Industree, which is headed by social entrepreneur Neelam Chhiber, has so far been able to transform the lives of more than 10,000 artisans living below the poverty line.

Industree entered retail in 1996 with its inaugural retail store in Bangalore that sold food, home products and apparel, all using indigenous materials and crafts by skilled artisans. In 1998, the enterprise began exploring the potential for exports of these products, and helped create a global market for the artisan community in India.

In the year 2000, eventually Industree Crafts set up an exclusive foundation to act as a bridge between the government's support schemes and the skilled craftsmen and artisans. It adopted the self-help group model to enable the artisans to act like independent entrepreneurs, procure loans for their business, and attain economic self-sufficiency and growth. Industree Crafts guides and supports the artisans to follow the market trends and meet global quality standards to achieve sustainable financial growth.

Photo Credit: ba1969