The artisan cooperatives are the center of the MarketPlace model of development. In a cooperative environment, each artisan is nurtured in their pursuit of both economic stability and personal fulfillment, in a climate of mutual support and acceptance. Artisans are involved in all facets of their businesses, from acquiring new skills, (including mastering various stitches, managing inventory and keeping records) to handling financial matters and participating in decisions that shape the cooperative's future.
Artisans also have opportunities to progress into more responsible roles within their cooperatives. In some instances, managerial positions are shared, thereby increasing the number of women who can develop their managerial and leadership skills.
Monthly meetings are a regular occurrence, during which artisan members convene to discuss critical operational aspects such as quality control, delivery schedules, and production planning. Any issues or challenges are collectively addressed within the group.
The importance of supportive relationships is evident, both within each cooperative and between different cooperatives. These relationships are pivotal for artisans as they navigate the changes and uncertainties that life presents.
AAKASA COOPERATIVE
After the SMM Cooperative was established, other women in the area expressed interest in joining, but the existing group could not accommodate everyone. In response, a new group began forming around a core of 10 members. Some of these women have a connection to SMM, either as former members or through family ties. For six of them, this is their first experience working outside the home, allowing them to discover what it means to earn their own income and develop a sense of independence.
AASHIYANA COOPERATIVE
The members of Aashiyana Cooperative navigate potential cultural and religious clashes within their group and community. In the past, they faced challenges in retaining members and recruiting new artisans, as some women in the community are restricted by rules about traveling and working outside the home. In addition to finding ways to accommodate diverse cultural backgrounds, the artisans focus on improving their sewing skills and expanding their order volume, which drives the group's continued success.
ARPAN COOPERATIVE
Thane is a city with many industrial and factory jobs but offers limited opportunities for women. Throughout its long history, Arpan has faced internal challenges, yet members have always managed to find resolutions. A few years ago, some older members left the group, demanding a significant financial share. The artisans stood united, ensuring that their work remained unaffected. When it comes to garment production, they operate as a cohesive team, setting aside conflicts to achieve their goals.
GHAR UDYOG COLLECTIVE
Ghar Udyog was initially formed in Santa Cruz East by Ziauddin. In 1995. When he relocated to Uttan, about 35 kilometers away in 2008, the women were reorganized into a new group called Nirmaan, while women from Uttan joined Ghar Udyog. The group is now well established, and in 2015, they invested in knitting machines, enabling them to produce knit clothing for MarketPlace.
NIRMAAN COLLECTIVE
Nirmaan's membership is large and diverse, comprising women of different ages, religion and temperament. Nirmaan has machines to sew both woven and knit garments.
NISHCHAY COOPERATIVE
Nishchay emerged as an offshoot of Nirmaan, which was established in 2005. Nirmaan had grown to over 35 women, making management challenging. For this reason and others, the group was divided into two cooperatives: Nishchay and Prerna. Running their own cooperative took different skills and the women took on the challenge of managing all aspects of planning, production and quality. The women artisans already had extensive training and experience in sewing and embroidery, allowing Nishchay to establish itself quickly.
PRAGATI COOPERATIVE
Pragati Cooperative was established during the COVID pandemic, despite the challenges of shutdowns and restrictions. Starting a new cooperative is always difficult, as it requires women with little experience and education to learn how to run a business. In this case, it was particularly challenging but also urgently needed. Many people had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and spreading the word to form a new cooperative was difficult. Yet, Pragati came together quickly, and the small group of strangers soon formed a united team, dedicated to learning essential business and production skills. Their progress has been remarkable. They are deeply committed to their work and to improving their skills. Additionally, the women have embraced the social programs that provide valuable support for creating a brighter future for themselves and their children.
PRERNA COOPERATIVE
Prerna was created as an offshoot of Nirmaan, which was established in 2005 As Nirmaan grew to over 35 women, managing the group became challenging, with operations leaning towards a more factory-like structure. To address this, the group was divided into two cooperatives: Prerna and Nishchay. The artisans in Prerna bring a wealth of sewing and embroidery experience, and forming and managing their own cooperative has empowered them and raised their self-awareness. Shared power and responsibility are incredibly empowering, and although the work is difficult, they have embraced the challenges.
RANPHUL MAHILA MANDAL COOPERATIVE (RMM)
RMM was started to provide decent employment opportunities in remote and underserved areas outside Mumbai. Some women had previously earned a meager income collecting wildflowers to sell, while others worked seasonally in hot flower fields. MarketPlace assisted the women in registering and establishing the group, providing training in sewing and tailoring basics. Organizing and communication present unique challenges here, as there is no public transportation and homes are spread far apart. However, these motivated artisans have found ways to adapt and improve. Impressively, 8 of the original 9 members are still active in the group. They have shown steady growth, both in profits and in the number of artisans employed. With their financial progress, they've also implemented a group savings plan for all members.
SHRAMIK MAHILA MANDAL COOPERATIVE (SMM)
This group began with 10 women living in an area with limited public transportation and few employment opportunities. SMM provides these motivated women with a way to earn an income while caring for their children. The group has experienced significant growth, both personally and professionally. Their hard work and dedication have resulted in an impressive record of on-time deliveries and enabled them to double their production.
UTSAAH COOPERATIVE
Utsaah has a unique origin, evolving from an earlier group. Some of its artisans have been associated with MarketPlace for over 24 years, and 16 current members were part of a former group called Sahara, which dates back to MarketPlace's early days. This wealth of experience gave Utsaah a strong foundation. Although there was some initial hesitation about learning to form their own cooperative--since Sahara was organized differently--they quickly got off to a strong start. They were able to handle larger orders, leading to good earnings from the outset. Now, as they manage their own business and learn new skills, all the women are positioned for greater success and independence.
WARE COLLECTIVE
Longtime SHARE employee Joseph Jacinto founded WARE from his home. He later moved the operation into a rented space and eventually purchased a workshop using his own savings and a loan from MarketPlace. The artisans are involved not only in production but in every aspect of running the business.