On November 2018, ACT launched Project Donna sponsored by Fondazione Pianoterra focusing on creating income generation opportunities through Stitching, Handwork and Embroidery for women trained in tailoring skills. This is an innovative approach to link artisans to various garment manufacturers and is based on the partnership between ACT and 2nd Innings Handicrafts Pvt Ltd, a social enterprise that owns and runs the lifestyle brand I was a Sari.
The objective of this project is to upgrade the lives of female artisans from the underserved communities and to make them financially self-reliant. ACT artisans are not only skilled but confident, and their average monthly income has increased over 80% since the time they connected with Project Donna. They now lead their lives with dignity and take pride in the work they do within Project Donna.
In our fourth year of Donna, ACT has created a safe space for women, within a professional garment factory type environment, where beneficiaries turned artisans earn livelihoods by stitching, embroidery and handwork activities and become specialized and deliver quality products to garment partners.