Digital Threads: Empowering 60,000 Women Artisans
By fmadmin
Digital Threads of Change: Empowering 60,000 Women Artisans in India
under the CISCO project
Project Synopsis
The Digitalization to Employment (D2E) project, supported by Cisco and implemented by FMC, is designed to improve the lives of 60,000 women artisans across five states of India—Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. This project builds upon an earlier Cisco-supported initiative and focuses on helping women artisans learn new skills, use digital tools, and connect to better markets so that they can earn more and live with dignity.
Project Objectives
The main objective of the project is to train women artisans in drawing, design, productivity improvement, and digital technologies like the e-Production and Inventory Management Tool (e-PIMT). It also works on linking artisans with markets through online platforms such as the Virtual Exhibition Platform (VEP), e-commerce sites, and social media. The project further aims to create new opportunities for income, strengthen community-based organizations, and ensure artisans can access government schemes and social security benefits.
Pre intervention
Before this intervention, most women artisans had little exposure to modern designs or digital skills. Their productivity was low as they did not use structured systems for managing production and inventory. Market access was limited, with heavy dependence on middlemen, and artisans lacked visibility in larger markets. Community organizations were weak, which reduced their bargaining power, and very few artisans were covered under social security, leaving them vulnerable to financial difficulties.
Approach taken by FMC
FMC’s approach has been to provide hands-on training in drawing and design, set up e-learning centers and digital photography hubs, and introduce easy-to-use digital tools like e-PIMT. Women are being grouped into Producer Groups and Cluster-Based Organizations so they can work collectively and access resources more effectively. Artisans are also being onboarded to digital platforms and exhibitions, both online and offline, to connect them directly with buyers. Alongside, manuals, training material, and scheme information are being shared in local languages, and workshops at district, state, and national levels are being organized for policy support.
Expected Impact and Outcomes
The expected impact of this project is significant. Over time, artisans will gain stronger skills, improved productivity, and access to bigger markets. This is expected to generate business worth ₹2–2.5 crore and increase incomes by 20–25% for thousands of women. Adoption of digital tools will reduce wastage and inefficiency, and artisans will be better connected to social security schemes. Collectively, the project will empower women artisans, make their livelihoods more secure, and contribute to preserving India’s traditional crafts in a modern, sustainable way.
Ongoing Initiatives
Drawing training has already started in many areas, and social media training is being conducted to help artisans promote their products digitally. Work on organizing Producer Groups and connecting artisans to platforms is also in progress. Step by step, the project is moving towards creating lasting economic and social change for women artisans across India.
Success Stories
Assam: Success Story -Coming soon
MP: Success Story -Coming soon
Odisha: Success Story -Coming soon
UP: Success Story -Coming soon
WB: Success Story -Coming soon
The Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) specializes in promotion of MSMEs through cluster..
Contact
USO House, 2nd Floor, USO Road,
Off Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg,
6, Special Institutional Area,
New Delhi – 110067
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