Development of Rural Craft and Cultural Hubs in West Bengal for inter-generational transmission

Project name :

Development of Rural Craft and Cultural Hubs in West Bengal

Budget :

1M$ - 5M$

Project duration :

01-01-2020

Location :

WB, India
Though West Bengal is rich in performing arts and craft that have traditionally served as means of livelihood for a sizable number of rural communities, the continuity of such traditions is at stake due to the low socio-economic status of the practitioners in general that does not encourage the younger generation to take part in their ancestral occupation pursue them in search for alternative livelihood options. The lack of public interest and the reduced opportunities for practice has also led to the deterioration in the quality of knowledge and skills of the practitioners. Absence of public exposure has not allowed them to adequately address the contemporary market requirements either.

In order to encourage the ICH bearers to continue their practice and to create a conducive environment therefore, the project funded by the Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises & Textiles (MSME&T), Government of West Bengal, envisages has been working to:

  • Mobilize practitioners to collectively identify the challenges and needs;
  • Improve the knowledge and skills of the practitioners in the ICH form in collaboration with master practitioners (community based documentation, inventory and safeguarding; ICH skills building workshops);
  • Provide basic skills on safeguarding/promoting ICH forms including entrepreneurial skills training;
  • Create opportunities for practitioners to interact with wider public;
  • Sensitize general public, in particular younger generation in West Bengal on the wealth of its rural intangible cultural heritage;
  • Link the practitioners to existing government schemes to support their socio-economic needs.

Rural artisans and performers lacking formal education and training do not find better income opportunities outside their traditional ICH occupations either, and end up working as low-end daily wagers. Thus, restoring the dignity of, and providing decent income opportunities through their ancestral traditional knowledge and skills is particularly vital for rural artisans and performers. The previous MSME&T-UNESCO project in West Bengal being implemented by Contact Base (Banglanatak) and the work of the local NGOs also has demonstrated that traditional ICH skills provided better can strengthen livelihood opportunities for rural artisans and performers when appropriate training and infrastructural support were are provided.

The project helps contribute to the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development through social and economic inclusion of the disadvantaged rural communities. The project particularly contributes to SDG 8 that aims at inclusive and sustainable economic growth and highlights the role of local culture and local products to achieve that.