Creative Diginity turns five - Beyond A Network, It’s A Movement

Five Years of Creative Dignity: A Collaborative Movement for Handmade India

Creative Dignity (CD) began in 2020 as a WhatsApp group during the Covid-19 lockdown, rapidly evolving into a national volunteer movement that mobilized ₹1.5 crore in relief, supported 13,070 artisan families, and digitized 350+ craft catalogues.

In 2021, CD recognized the need for long-term action, launching the Craft Care Fund (₹11+ lakhs disbursed) and a pioneering IP Rights campaign to spotlight motif misuse and promote artisan legal literacy.

The Artisan Incubator, through its Creative Enterprise Lab (CEL) program, supports a new generation of artisans focused on entrepreneurship. Since 2021, it has provided training and mentorship across India in digital marketing, design, entrepreneurship, and supply chain management. The program partners with Axis Bank Foundation’s Enterprise Development Programme and Project Tarasha, helping to train over 312 artisans and 137 entrepreneurs.

In 2023, CD introduced CraftXClimate, linking crafts with SDG 12—Responsible Production & Consumption—to drive sustainability through knowledge sharing, advocacy, and climate-focused innovations.

2024 focused on strengthening market access, generating 1,500+ new product lines through exhibitions, platform partnerships, and design mentoring. The year also emphasized decentralization via live artisan directories and collaborative data building.

Five years on, CD is no longer just a network—it’s a movement. Built by volunteers, practitioners, and members, powered by trust, and guided by the belief that India’s handmade practices can shape an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future.