Project Sashakt: Strengthening CSOs as Catalysts of Livelihood Opportunities and Development was launched on 19th March 2025 in Kamrup, Assam. The Project aims to strengthen India’s textile and handicraft industry. Project Sashakt is being supported by the European Union (EU) and is being implemented by Human People to People India (HPPI).

The dignitaries and the participants were welcomed warmly with a speech by Animesh Bandyopadhyay (Project Manager, HPPI) and a cultural song sung by the Field Trainers of the Project. This was followed by lamp-lighting and curtain-raising ceremonies by the Guest of Honour Laurent Le Danois (Team Leader Cooperation Section, Delegation of the EU to India and Bhutan) and Special Guest Deba Kumar Kalita, IAS (Retd) (Secretary – Women and Child, Development Department, Government of Assam). Subsequently, Manu Mayank (Head – Development and Scale, HPPI) gave an overview of how the Project will build the capacity of women handloom cooperatives and facilitate economic security for women weavers associated with the cooperatives.

The event saw the participation of numerous cooperatives, and cooperative office bearers Jonali Das (Paschim Bagta Voilybari, Block Level Cluster Societies or BKSS Ltd) and Minu Kalita (Shantikami, BKSS Ltd) shared their experiences. Additionally, Sharique Imdad Ahmed (Deputy Manager, North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Limited) elaborated on the department’s vision and the ongoing efforts to promote handloom and handicrafts both nationally and internationally.

The Guest of Honour, Laurent Le Danois spoke about focusing on encouraging gender equality and strengthening the relationship between India and EU for development with special focus on North-East India. He also mentioned how this Project potentially can be supported with an international marketing platform provided by the EU. In the keynote speech, Special Guest Deba Kumar Kalita, IAS (Retd) expressed his enthusiasm for being associated with the Project which aims to foster women empowerment in the State. Nipam Sarma (Market Development and Value Chain Specialist, HPPI) facilitated the smooth functioning of the event. The launch concluded with a vote of thanks by Shivani Narang (National Partnership Officer, HPPI) followed by lunch.

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

HPPI has been working in Assam with 10,000+ women for economic security and entrepreneurship development.