Ensures fair living wage for producers
Discloses the community being impacted
Reduces the environmental impact
Focusses on women producers
Created using handcrafted methods
Made out of responsible materials
Avoids use of chemicals or toxic materials
Uses portion of proceeds to give back to the community
In the remote valleys of the Indian Himalayas, abundant in natural resources but scarce in sustainable rural livelihood opportunities, Avani works with the rural community of Kumaon, part of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, in an inclusive manner. The primary objective is the creation of sustainable livelihoods through conservation of natural resources, dissemination of appropriate technology, and revival of traditional skills - natural dyeing and hand weaving. This led to establishing Earthcraft, which is a producer-owned cooperative, that generates contemporary, eco-friendly, fair trade, high quality, and low carbon footprint products for a conscious and caring client.
Purpose
Avani means Earth. Their core values rise from a desire to be in service of the Earth and her people. The challenges of the tough terrain and harsh weather were overcome by the warmth and resilience of the community they work with. The empowerment of socially vulnerable women, school dropout girls to lead a life of dignity is just one of the pillars of this organization. Natural resource management, respect, and revival of traditional knowledge as well as dissemination of appropriate technology for sustainable and circular socio-economic growth drive their work.
People
Avani majorly works with the rural Kumaon communities that are disadvantaged due to lack of access to appropriate technology and intervention. Socially vulnerable women whose partners have migrated or passed away need to find alternate means of livelihoods to support their families. This is where Avani came in. Economic opportunities as artisans, farmers, managers, and more give rise to social changes. The work with natural fibers and natural dyes provides a high degree of technical competence and an enhanced sense of confidence to the rural Kumaoni women. They invest in their children’s education, open savings accounts, and make home improvements. They also engage farmers to collect and cultivate plants for signature natural dye production.
Planet
Avani means Earth. Their core values rise from a desire to be in service of the Earth and her people. The challenges of the tough terrain and harsh weather were overcome by the warmth and resilience of the community they work with. The empowerment of socially vulnerable women, school dropout girls to lead a life of dignity is just one of the pillars of this organization. Natural resource management, respect, and revival of traditional knowledge as well as dissemination of appropriate technology for sustainable and circular socio-economic growth drive their work.
