Empowerment of Traditional artisans

Traditional Artisan community and its issues are invisible to the society as they are living in a closed economy. They live with their own faith and tradition and unaware of the latest advancement in technology, development of social norms etc. Hence, COROAT took initiative to mobiilse the artisans under the umbrella of self help group and motivated them to meet twice in a month for SHG meeting and share their requirements, contribute towards savings and credit management. COROAT has formed 14 SHGs among 80 men from artisan community for promoting the socio economic and political status of the artisans. The identity of men as Self Help Group member has enabled them to access bank credit for economic activities.

Outcome of the intervention :

·        196 traditional artisans have got access to Rs.46 Lakhs of credit from commercial banks which was not a reality to them earlier.

·        Thenkoodu Traditional artisan federation was formed as a federation of SHGs to talk about their needs, issues and collective action.

·        Parambariya Kaivinai Thozhilalar Union has been formed in 2012 to improve the collective bargaining power of the traditional artisans.