At SRSF, we recognize the cultural and economic significance of traditional handicrafts in improving community livelihoods. The Crafts Enterprise Development (CED) Section is a dedicated initiative aimed at empowering local artisans-especially women-by enhancing their skills, supporting their businesses, and connecting them to broader markets.

Why Crafts Matter

The handicrafts sector offers significant potential for income generation, yet many artisans face challenges such as:

• Limited financial investment
• Inadequate training opportunities
• Poor access to profitable markets

Our CED program directly addresses these barriers through a holistic and sustainable approach.

Our Approach

With the support of skilled professionals, the CED Section works to preserve traditional crafts while aligning artisan products with current market trends. Based on extensive mapping of our target districts, we identified a wide range of traditional crafts, including:

Textile-Based Crafts

• Cutwork, patchwork, and mirror work
• Various embroidery techniques (needlework)
• Crochet (Kundhee/Hook work)
• Machine embroidery

Natural Material Crafts

• Wheat straw crafts
• Date palm leaf products
• Reed furniture (Chikhs & Mooras)

Key Interventions

Our initiatives are designed to strengthen the entire craft value chain:

✅ Skill Enhancement & Capacity Building
Hands-on training in advanced techniques to improve artisans’ craftsmanship.

✅ Product Design & Business Development
Researching design trends and helping artisans create marketable, culturally rich products.

✅ Market Linkages & Promotion
Facilitating access to local, national, and international markets through strategic partnerships and events.

✅ Marketing & Business Training
Workshops and mentoring to develop business planning, pricing, branding, and sales skills.

✅ Exposure Visits
Organized visits to successful enterprises and industry hubs to inspire and educate artisans.

✅ Exhibitions & Conferences
Participation in curated events to showcase and sell handcrafted products, build networks, and gain recognition.

✅ Market Research & Feasibility Studies
Supporting artisans in making informed decisions through research-driven business planning.

✅ Institution Building
Fostering community-led organizations and cooperatives to sustain growth and representation.

Expanding Reach & Recognition

SRSF actively participates in exhibitions across Sindh and throughout Pakistan, promoting artisan products and creating long-term visibility. These efforts contribute to:

• Strengthening local economies
• Preserving cultural heritage
• Elevating the status and income of rural artisans

Our Vision

We aim to transform traditional crafts into sustainable enterprises, enabling artisans to reach national and global markets—while ensuring they receive the recognition and income they rightfully deserve.