Artisans Effort was founded in Kolkata, West Bengal, India in October 2003. The founding members were a group of artisans, who were all specialists in their own fields ‒ for example, embroidery, leatherwork, jewellery making and paper products. They came together as they had heard that with Fair Trade you are treated with respect, that a fair price is paid and that a good relationship is built between the producer and seller. All these artisans had been previously been treated badly. They had problems being paid and there was irregularity of work.
Slowly this group started to know more about fair trade procedures and attended the Fair Trade Forum in India.
Today there are more than 150 families involved with Artisans Effort. 60% are women and 40% are men. Since Artisans Effort is an artisan’s based organization, the artisan’s needs and difficulties are very clearly understood.
At present, Artisans Effort looks after the educational responsibility of nine poor and needy children from Asansol (West Bengal). Their books, uniforms and school fees are paid for.
