Tara Projects was begun in the early 1970s by a study group of social workers and students at Jamia Millia University. They looked for ways to help change the lives of the “untouchables” who lived nearby. This organization has become a leading voice opposing the use of child labour, and promoting the rights and status of women. To fight exploitation and poverty, they not only ensure fair payment, but support housing programmes, improve working conditions and develop community services and utilities. They provide informal education programmes for children and women, train in health and environmental awareness, and work in many ways to further the development of their member artisans. Numerous levels of committees, with elected representatives from all sections of the project, co-ordinate the production, design and marketing of their wares.

Currently, nearly 1000 artisan families are creating products from all the major traditional handicraft lines of northern India. Tara Projects hopes to continue growing, upgrading and opening new centres – and enabling fair trade practices among more artisan families and co-ops.