Society for Empowerment and Mobilisation of Artisans (SEMA)

SEMA is a non-profit organization involved in skill development of local artisans and it is quite popular among the local communities in Dharwad in Karnataka. Generally, the target communities know and are familiar with the organization and its activities. The organization's activities are known to local panchayat members and government department officials. The organization is found to have kept good rapport with all the stakeholders during and before the onset of the project activities.

Promotion and development of Entrepreneurship among women and unemployed youth and artisans dealing with local traditional arts. To undertake, establish, implement and execute programmes and projects like handicrafts, establishing common facility centres, promotion of marketing avenues, backward and forward linkages; promotion of export of handicrafts items, conduct exhibitions anywhere in Karnataka to develop the entrepreneurship qualities among women entrepreneurs, educated unemployed youth and artisans.

Skill Training in Block Printing with associated activities such as procuring raw materials, relevant materials, stipend, designer consultant. Skill training in Kasuti with associated activities such as procuring raw materials, relevant materials, stipend, designer consultant.

The target communities have been trained in various skills during the training programmes organized by the organization. This activity has helped the local communities to become more confident about such community-based initiatives. The communities also have begun certain income generating activities (through block printing and kasuti activities) involving themselves in every component of the project. This also has helped improving the income levels of local women communities.

One of the important interventions attempted in the project site is creation of various skill building programmes at the SHG level. Some of the women feel more empowered with the programmes which helped improve the socio-economic conditions of the local communities.

The project has a potential for replication in other areas. More number of communities could be trained and they can retain the information and this may change the communities' attitude towards rural development schemes. This will help in long run in efficient use of the resources required for the communities

The project has a potential for replication in other areas. More number of communities could be trained and they can retain the information and this may change the communities' attitude towards rural development schemes. This will help in long run in efficient use of the resources required for the communities

SEMA is also supported by CAPART