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Case Studies
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Stitching together a better future

Trained women doing chikan work in Kaluapur village of the Mahmudabad block of Sitapur district. Women embroiderers in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have seen their income rise and standard of living improve - partly thanks to the DFID-supported (£27 million) External link Poorest Areas Civil Society Programme (PACS)

Near Lucknow, the state capital, women from poor villages near the state capital were given the opportunity to upgrade their embroidery skills, help with marketing their products, and were encouraged to set up self-help groups to turn their entrepreneurial ambitions into reality.

The programme also helped women to practice the traditional embroidery handicrafts of chikan and jardozi, for which the region is famous. Traditionally, Muslim women practice chikan - while Muslim men carry out jardozi. But through the programme, which aims to enhance the ability of poor and socially-excluded people to claim their rights to services and resources, both Hindi and Muslim women were taught these skills.

The women work in their spare time and now earn around 300 rupees a month (about £3.50).

It doesn't sound a lot, but it can make all the difference to families in a region where households earn just 700-900 rupees a month (£8.30-£10.60).

Key facts

PACS supports civil society organisations that help people in India's poorest districts.
PACS helped women villagers in Utter Pradesh through the Network of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (NEED).
DFID is providing up to £27 million over seven years to support PACS.
Poorest Areas Civil Society Programme (PACS) website