In the Kashmir Valley, along the India-Pakistan border, entrepreneurs and artisans are reviving traditional crafts and bringing economic development to the region. The “Commitment to Kashmir” organization is driving this revival by nurturing craft businesses to create sustainable livelihoods, save intergenerational skills, and help ensure stability and peace. Since 2012, they have supported 37 craftspeople, and more than 85 percent have established their own businesses and taken on leadership roles in the craft industry.
Their efforts have resulted in almost one thousand new designs and market-driven products. These include papier-mâché Christmas ornaments, leather accessories, embroidered shawls and shirts, hand-painted wooden boxes, and traditional clothing made on intricate looms. The organization has also empowered the women in the region, providing them with livelihoods, dignity and independence. The project’s success highlights its positive impact on the local economy and community.
