Empowerment | Employment | Sustainability

Empowerment | Employment | Sustainability

Empowerment | Employment | Sustainability

Empowerment | Employment | Sustainability

Empowerment | Employment | Sustainability

Empowerment | Employment | Sustainability

About Us

KADAM is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering rural communities by enhancing traditional handicraft skills and creating sustainable livelihoods. Operating across six states, KADAM has positively impacted over 10,000 artisans in its 18-year journey. Focusing on natural fibers, the organization preserves ancient craftsmanship while offering a sustainable alternative to rural migration. Through KADAM HAAT, artisans are connected to markets, ensuring a steady income and the continued growth of their handcrafted products for homes, kitchens, and lifestyle needs.

Our Strategy

Demonstrate

KADAM has unique expertise to deliver on turn key projects developing or strengthening the value chain for new or existing products. KADAM will continue to “demonstrate” proof points that serve as a model of excellence for the sector.

Multiply

Leveraging its expertise, KADAM will look to train and develop and create a collective for the sector to replicate its methodology and impact.

Innovate

KADAM has created multiple innovative, path breaking solutions for projects. The organisation will now also provide it as a service to other organisations to strengthen the solutions in the sector.

A Unique Self-Sustaining Model

A Non-Profit registered in 2006

Empowerment of artisans for the creation of demand driven products

A Brand registered in 2009

A marketplace for products to reach conscious consumers

Vision & Mission

Our Vision

We unleash the power of communities and earth’s materials to build an equitable, sustainable, happy world.

Our Mission

We build resilient ecosystems at scale through:

  • The use of earth materials
  • Innovation & sustainable practice
  • The generation of livelihoods
  • The creation of everyday products that encourage conscious consumption.

Our Impact

Artisans Impacted

%

Increase in income

%

Access to larger markets

Month orders in a year

Our Projects

Our Journey

2006-07

Skill development of Sabai Grass & Palm Leaf artisans starting with 25 ladies in Baliapal, Odisha with RAWHAA, an NGO

2008-09

  • Bamboo development in Kolaghat, West Bengal
  • Stone Craft artisan development in Raghurajpur, Odisha

2009-10

  • Sabai Artisans near Kharagpur, West Bengal Development
  • Co-Founder nominated by the Indian Merchant Chamber, Mumbai for the 'Jamnalal Bajaj Rural Entrepreneurship' Award

2010-11

Craft Ashram: Hasta Shilpi Gurukul Project with INITIATIVE and Sram Vidyapith, West Bengal

2011-12

Craft Ashram Field Survey and documented assisted by AIACA

2012-13

Hillary Clinton's Visit To India Co-Founder was Interviewed By Times Now

2013-14

  • Skill training and machinery development at Craft Ashram
  • Natural Dyes and Lacquer experiment on Natural Fibres
  • Co-Founder nominated for "TIMES of India Amazing Indian' Award

2015-16

Sabai, Bamboo Product Development Workshop

2016-17

Bamboo project in Bankura

2017-18

  • HCL Foundation Project with 5 crafts in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh
  • Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd.(HMVL) Mathura Project, Uttar Pradesh

2018-19

  • HDFC Parivartan CSR project in Sultanpur and Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh
  • HMVL and HCLF (continued)

2019-20

  • Cyclone Phani Relief for artisans from village of Raghurajpur, Odisha
  • Ongoing Project with HCLF, HMVL, HDFC
  • Madhurkati Craft Project with Dalmia Cement CSR
  • Co-Founder nominated for 'Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2020' Award by AMAZON

2020-21

  • Amphan Cyclone Relief Project for Affected Beneficiaries
  • Covid 19 Relief & Support Project
  • Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) with Government of Jammu & Kashmir and THE WORLD BANK in willow-wicker craft
  • Branding, Marketing and Communication Project supported by SVP India

2021-22

  • HCL Foundation Project on Moonj Grass
  • Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd. CSR project with Bamboo in Malda, West Bengal
  • Baluchari, Kansa and Dokra Project with District Administration of Bankura, Government of West Bengal
  • Co-Founder nominated for "Women Transforming India' Award by NITI-AAYOG
  • Golden Grass Project at Kendrapara with State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC), Government of Odisha
  • Rural Craft and Cultural Hubs (Phase-II) Project in collaboration with UNESCO and MSME&T, Government of West Bengal
  • HCL and Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd. Projects (continued)
  • TITAN Project for FOUR crafts in Bihar and West Bengal
  • HCL Foundation, JTFRP and Titan CSR Project with FIVE crafts
  • (continued)
  • Golden Grass Project with UNESCO and District Administration of JAJPUR, Odisha (awaiting final approval)

Our Presence

Kadam is working in six states and providing skill training in multiple crafts.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

  • Wicker
  • Waguv
  • Copper
  • Sakhtasaz
  • Naqqash

WEST BENGAL

  • Sabai
  • Sitalpati
  • Bamboo
  • Sholapith
  • Madurkati

BIHAR

  • Sikki
  • Madhubani Painting

UTTAR PRADESH

  • Moonj
  • Kaansh

ODISHA

  • Sabai
  • Golden Grass

TAMILNADU

  • Palm Leaf

Sustainable Development Goals

A holistic model of transformative impact fulfilling 12 of 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) with an equal focus on Environmental, Social, Governance (E-S-G)

Get Involved

Join us in empowering handicraft artisans. By volunteering, interning, or sharing your expertise, you can help these artisans build sustainable livelihoods. Participate in workshops, support training programs, or assist in community events. Every effort directly impacts the artisans, helping them achieve greater financial independence and opportunity

Support a Cause

Your donation transforms lives by supporting artisans from marginalized communities. Contributions provide essential skills, market access, and opportunities for earning a stable income. By supporting their craft, you’re not just funding, but empowering artisans to break the cycle of poverty and create a better future for themselves and their families.

Testimonials

Our Partners

Our Partners

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