HPPI’s Project Sashakt: Strengthening CSOs as Catalysts of Livelihood Opportunities and Development was officially launched on 15th February 2025. The European Union (EU) and the Ministry of Textiles jointly launched the Project to strengthen India’s textile and handicraft industry, on the side lines of ongoing Bharat Tex 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The Project builds on the EU’s ongoing collaboration with India on sustainability and circular economy, aligning with the Ministry of Textiles’ Sustainable Bharat Mission for Textiles. Franck Viault (Minister Counsellor and Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to India), Rohit Kansal (Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, GoI) launched the Project along with Snorre Westgaard (CEO, HPPI) and other dignitaries. HPPI’s Manu Mayank (Head-Development & Scale) Shivani Narang (National Partnership Officer), Animesh Bandyopadhyay (Project Manager) and Shrutika Mathur (National Communication Officer) enhanced the participation at the launch event.

Project Sashakt aims to strengthen technical and management capacity of handloom cooperatives and women weavers working in three districts of Assam (Dhubri, Chirang and Kamrup) through skill upgradation, credit and market linkages. Through this Project, HPPI will support 2,500 women weavers in providing business development services to improve their income and boost handloom products in national and international markets. Project Sashakt is being supported by the EU and is being implemented by HPPI.