Our Work
Project SWAVALAMB: Preserving Tradition, Creating Futures
The project’s takes forward the essence of SHIVIR of creating a future where all women are self reliant and combines it with reviving traditional crafts in a modern, unique and usable incarnation. This enables sustainable livelihoods while celebrating India’s cultural heritage.
Through this project we aim to build a vibrant ecosystem where women artisans thrive, cultural traditions are preserved, and livelihoods grow sustainably while bringing their work to discerning patrons.
A happy space where Craft Meets Empowerment, project SWAVLAMB is currently engaging with clusters in Gujarat on textile upcycling and developing crafts.
From Thread to Triumph: The Art of Crochet Reimagined
Once seen as a quiet pastime of older generations, crochet has evolved into a bold expression of contemporary craft, gracing the world of lifestyle and fashion. With just a hook and yarn, artisans transform these threads into intricate patterns and bold statements — proving that creativity knows no bounds.
Through SWAVALAMB, women artisans are reclaiming this traditional skill—transforming it into a pathway to economic independence and creative mastery.
Handmade accessories that blend bohemian flair with modern elegance, from fusion jewellery and festive clutch bags to statement pieces perfect for resort wear, their creations reflect skill of their hands, passion for the craft, and purpose- to gain economic security.
These crochet products are created and brought to you by women who are quietly creating a revolution of confidence and contribution and giving a deeper cut to the idea of becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Your invaluable encouragement to recognize their effort and cherish the beauty of handmade helps them move beyond basic skill to mastery — one stitch at a time. Explore the available range here and contact us for special requirements.
Currently the beneficiaries of ‘Swavalamb’ are residents of Gujarat. We are more than happy to to explore new locations to cover more skills. Do get in touch with us if you would like support for any group of women or any traditional art form that you feel needs to be promoted.
Keeping Tradition Alive: Soof on Kala Cotton
Another Project of Swavalamb focuses on unique creations in the lesser known art of soof. Working on cotton handspun cloth and hand woven by local weavers, the soof embroidery has been painstakingly crafted by women from their homes, allowing them to integrate work into their daily lives, earn a stable income, and preserve a meaningful cultural legacy.
Soof is a traditional embroidery art that traces its origins to the Kutch region of Gujarat. Distinguished by its geometric precision and symmetrical beauty, Soof is executed entirely by hand—without any pre-drawn stencil or design—relying on the artisan’s mental mapping and meticulous counting of the fabric’s threads. Each piece is created from the reverse side using fine silk or cotton threads, a process that reflects the extraordinary skill and patience of its maker.
The base fabric is Kala cotton, a heritage variety native to Kutch. One of the world’s oldest genetically pure cotton strains, Kala cotton is rain-fed, resilient, and naturally pest-resistant, making it a symbol of sustainable and organic farming. It thrives in the arid lands of Gujarat without synthetic inputs, resulting in an environmentally conscious and low-impact textile.
This project is committed to empowering women artisans by enhancing their skills and fostering sustainable livelihoods.
This project is committed to empowering women artisans by enhancing their skills and fostering sustainable livelihoods.
Explore the available range here and contact us for special requirements.
Upskill & Upcycle: A Tradition Revived
India has a rich legacy of reusing, repurposing, and redesigning textiles—ensuring every piece of fabric is cherished and used to its full potential.
Yet, with the rise of fast fashion and modern lifestyles, this culture of mindful consumption has seen a sharp decline. Today, post-consumer household waste makes up 51% of all textile waste — one of the most difficult forms to manage due to challenges in sorting and recovery.
Through Projects like SASHAKT and SWAVALAMB, SHIVIR is reviving this conscious tradition by creating meaningful employment opportunities for women. By harnessing their sewing skills, we empower them to utilise their spare time gainfully, integrate earning with everyday life and contribute to a circular economy.
Above all, this supports them in taking a step forward to become financially self-reliant and believe confidently in themselves as contributing members of the society.
We promote handcrafted products made from upcycled post-consumer fabric and sewn by women artisans working from their homes. Your purchase supports livelihoods, reduces textile waste, and promotes a more sustainable future — for families and for the planet.
Explore the available range here and contact us for special requirements.
Project beneficiaries are residents of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. We are open to explore new locations to cover more skills.
Project SASHAKT
Entrepreneurial and Life Skills: SASHAKT – Building Resilient Women, Resilient Families
Through Project SASHAKT, we strive to empower women with education, awareness, and livelihood opportunities, helping them overcome barriers and build stronger, self-sufficient families.
We aim to work towards a society where empowered women become the backbone of resilient, thriving communities across India. Our multi-pronged approach at creating independent, confident individuals stems from the fact that one needs confidence in demeanor and manner right from the time one steps out across the threshold or comes in contact with another human being. Walking the street, dealing with others, reading into body language and assessing a person during a casual conversation are skills required by persons from all walks of life.
Our approach of Strengthening Women, Strengthening Communities will contribute to build a better society through:
- Life Skills, rights and responsibilities
- Computer Training
- Financial Literacy
- Micro-entrepreneurship Support
- Legal Rights & Gender Sensitization
- Health and hygiene sensitisation
Project beneficiaries are residents of select village areas in the National Capital Region. Contact us on connect@shivir.org if you wish to contribute your time, skills or resources as a volunteer on Project SASHAKT.
