Introduction to SSA

SSA, today is a leading enabling platform for livelihoods and enterprise development by harnessing the inherent strength of the craft communities and small producers through sustainable programs, access to direct capacity building, technical assistance and markets; knowledge creation and dissemination.

The four decades of this intensive engagement has resulted in building capacities and substantial business growth of over 50 craft enterprises (community based groups and artisan-entrepreneurial units. This has also helped translating the benefits of Fair Trade to these disadvantaged producers - increased their capacities, skills, work regularity, income, savings, insurance, and access to health and education. In the process, SSA has developed business development and market access skills and resources that can be shared with larger constituency for broad basing the reach and impact.

SSA has expanded the scope and impact of this market oriented enterprise development initiative, and envisages a project to develop an enabling service platform for the Fair Trade craft producing and marketing organizations in India that can enhance their capabilities, sustainability and growth.

It further aims to harness the potential of smaller groups and leverage the strength of bigger organizations involved in Fair & Ethical Trade to create and acquire a larger Fair Trade market in the country. The expected result is scaling up of Fair Trade potential in India i.e. to significantly enhance its reach and presence in all relevant segments of the Indian market. This will trigger substantial business, income, employment and empowerment across the entire Fair Trade chain from growers to craft producers to fair trade marketers.

Working with producer partners

Market readiness constitutes important aspect of SSA's activities. Design & product development based on market trends and opportunities; skill up gradation and technical inputs are provided to introduce modern processes, methods and techniques. Assistance is also provided in terms of augmenting infrastructure, organizational development, good business practices, and planning and quality assurance. Financial assistance is also extended when crucial through Microenterprise - financing. Monitoring is complemented by active capacity building and entrepreneurship promotion. Groups are enabled to internalize the rigorous discipline necessary for export trade in terms of product, social and environmental standards. Facilitating social well being in the communities - through various linkages, programmes, special initiatives on financial literacy and inclusion, health, community education are the Development programmes undertaken at SSA. Networking at national and international level for advocacy, collaborative initiatives and market access in favour of the marginalized artisans are collaborative areas of work of SSA to strengthen the enterprise development interventions.

Working with Fair Trade organizations & Social Enterprises

The scope of this vital support service covers areas of:
a)  Market promotion and business development.
b)  Technical assistance on OD, design-development, skill, quality, know-how, process and productivity.
c)  ICT enabled Supply chain management.
d)  Critical and much needed data services and,
e)  Implementing of global and national standards of good business practices.
f)  Facilitation of quality certifications.

Enterprise Development/Capacity building:

SSA's enterprise development activities are aimed to:
▪  Build the capacity of marginal groups as individuals, and grassroots institutions.
▪  Enhance the access of poor and marginalized people to markets, technology and information and increase their productivity in a sustainable and equitable way.
▪  Encourage and facilitate enterprise development focused on the needs of the people.

This people entered intervention promotes grassroots participation and emphasizes the improvement of access to human, financial, social, physical and financial assets. It highlights the importance of social, economic, institutional and environmental sustainability and encourages the adoption of a multi-disciplinary approach.

Knowledge Provider, Collaborator and Fair Trade Plus

▪  SSA also works towards developing international collaborative network of experts in various areas of crafts, social sector development and Fair Trade.
▪  Facilitate and promote exchange of knowledge and thereby create opportunities for the craftsperson, designer and researcher alike.
▪  SSA also provides a platform for internships on various development issues to students-both national and international.
▪  SSA also works towards providing access to health services and providing occupational health services (linking to health insurance cards, free eye-check up camps), improving working conditions, access to education (children's education loan).
▪  SSA works towards providing savings and credit facilities through administering Micro-enterprise Loans (short-term working capital loans and long-term infrastructure support loans). Educating communities on Financial Literacy through the Financial Literacy programme- form part of the Fair Trade Plus activities.