About Project Northeast

Project Northeast is a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating poverty in Northeast India by fostering livelihood opportunities through the promotion of indigenous creative skills. Guided by the principle, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” we focus on leveraging the core strengths of local communities to address poverty and unemployment.

Our approach centers on utilizing traditional skills to create commercially viable enterprises. By doing so, we aim to empower these communities, reduce migration to urban areas, and sustain and preserve age-old traditions and values. Our goal is to enhance economic conditions and support the long-term well-being of these communities.

Project Northeast is a non-profit organization based in Assam, India. Our mission is to collaborate with marginalized artisans in the handloom and handicraft sectors, alongside ancillary traditional skills equipping them with essential skills, resources, and market access to enhance their livelihoods. By supporting these artisans, we are committed to preserving traditional craftsmanship and empowering local communities.

Revitalizing the Rural Economy Through Empowerment and Innovation

Honoring and Uplifting the Handloom and Handicraft Artisans of North East India

Project Jonak – EST. May 2019

Jonak: Harnessing rural economy
Jonak embarked on its mission in May 2019, starting with two fly shuttle looms in Bimalapur, Charaideo District. Our initiative is dedicated to empowering local artisans and enhancing their livelihoods through their traditional weaving skills.
We have engaged two skilled indigenous women from Bimalapur, experts in traditional extra weft handpicked motifs. Despite their expertise, these artisans currently earn just Rs 130 per day working in tea gardens, which is below the Assam minimum wage of Rs 298. Jonak aims to transform their prospects by leveraging their weaving skills to offer better economic opportunities.
We have upgraded their equipment from basic bamboo looms to advanced fly shuttle looms, enabling the production of high-quality textiles that meet modern market demands. Our initial focus will be on cotton and cotton silk, utilizing two warps on two distinct looms.
We will begin with straightforward designs, progressively advancing to more intricate patterns and materials such as eri and mulberry based on initial results. Our product range will include sarees, yardages, and home furnishings. Through Jonak, we seek to unlock a pathway to a more prosperous and fulfilling future for these artisans.