Project Bamboo
In Naogaon, indigenous Mahali women are fighting to keep their traditions alive while poverty, stigma and loss of livelihood push their families deeper into hardship.
Once skilled bamboo artisans, their craft has been driven out by cheap plastic goods, leaving households without income and dignity. With no economic opportunities, women are silenced, children’s futures are cut short, and entire communities remain trapped in cycles of poverty.
Here’s what our investment* does
🌿 Revives traditional skills
Our support helps indigenous Mahali women in Naogaon rediscover and modernize their bamboo handicraft skills. By adapting traditional techniques into marketable designs, we’re ensuring that this cultural heritage not only survives but thrives.
💪 Creates sustainable livelihoods
Through six months of hands-on training and material support, women artisans gain the tools to re-enter the market with products that meet today’s demand. This means long-term income generation and independence for 62 households.
🌸 Restores dignity and inclusion
Mahali women have long faced stigma, discrimination, and shrinking opportunities. This programme restores their sense of pride by turning their craftsmanship into a respected, income-generating trade, strengthening their role in family and community life.
🌎 Preserves the environment
By promoting bamboo over plastic, this initiative supports eco-friendly livelihoods. Bamboo is renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable - helping reduce plastic use while protecting the environment for future generations.
🏡 Strengthens community economies
When women earn, entire communities benefit. By boosting household income by 50% by December 2025, this project improves food security, education access and overall wellbeing for 279 people across Naogaon.
Projected Return* on Funding
*Remember our returns are in impact not pounds, dollars or taka
People benefitting across their families:
279
Income increased by
50%
People Impacted:
62
How our funds are being spent…
Training and Skills Development
Facilitating six months of practical workshops, teaching women to design and produce bamboo crafts that are appealing to today’s markets. This includes covering travel costs and snacks during training sessions.
Inputs and Raw Materials
Funds are used to supply women with quality bamboo, tools and other inputs needed to produce durable, high-quality handicrafts that can compete with mass-produced items.
Community Engagement & Support
Ensuring that women’s voices are heard, cultural knowledge is shared, and partnerships are built to secure lasting change.
Market Readiness and Promotion
Exploring new ways to promote and sell these crafts, from local fairs to wider markets, helping artisans reach more customers and sustain their businesses.
Our Partner
Badabon Sangho - They plan and manage the project.
Location: Badalgachi upazila under Naogaon district, Mahali, Bangladesh.
Duration: 6 months
Total Funding: £2,200