Design 21: Social Design Network

ABOUT US The Craftmark certifies authentic, handmade Indian products. Craftmark is endorsed as a seal of authenticity, and as a reassurance of quality and integrity. Craftmark helps consumers make informed and ethical choices. The seal is licensed to producers or retailers of Indian handicraft products. To be certified applicants undergo a vigorous process of assessment, including onsite monitoring, and an independent, transparent review by a panel consisting of leaders from the crafts sector. In a world swamped with mass produced and factory made products, Craftmark members have demonstrated their dedication to the art of the handmade.

HISTORY Craftmark was founded in 2004,is an initiative of All India Artisans & Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA). AIACA is a membership based apex organization that works to ensure the social and economic rights of artisans through national policy research, and advocacy.

OUR PROGRAMS Craftmark provides micro-enterprise support training for artisans, so they can be competitive in the market place. We coordinate and seek funding for training programs in skills development. Craftmark provides ongoing feedback and product development support to member groups about design. We have partnered with Aid to Artisans, to implement their Artisan Enterprise Development Alliance Program. The program seeks to enhance the capacity of craft producer groups to connect to both domestic and international commercial markets through appropriate interventions and training programs.

Craftmark works with AIACA on delivering a number of innovative programs. The Enterprise Support Program (ESP) partners with producer groups on capacity building, and organizational development. AIACA is currently working in partnership with Traidcraft (www.traidcraft.co.uk), UK's leading fair trade organisation, AIACA is working on a four year project (Switch Asia Project - Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production) to explore environmental and health and safety issues relating to the crafts sector in India. The Artisans Companies Project is helping to develop and implement a project to create a new model of livelihoods promotion by creating community owned, professionally run companies in rural areas that will be the focal point of production and sales of crafts in their respective regions.

OUR MEMBERS

Craftmark has certified sixty three organizations, including both artisan cooperatives, and retailers. Leading retailers, Anokhi, FabIndia, Soma, Ritu Kumar, Cotton Curio, Bodhi, and Next Shop carry the Craftmark tag. Producer groups include Sadhna, Sharmik, Abhivirudhi Sangh, Dastkar Ranthambore, Avani, Sasha Association for Craft Producers, Shrunjna, Urmul Seemant Samiti and Dastkar Andhra. For more information about Craftmark members log on to www.craftmark.org. When organizations apply for membership they undergo a vigorous certification process that includes onsite visits, compliance standards, and review by an independent board of experts.