IDH India

At the recent Organic Cotton Accelerator Stakeholder Meeting, Vikram Sharma represented IDH and the Regenerative Production Landscape Collaborative (RPLC), bringing our vision and efforts towards organic cotton and climate resilience to the table. As part of the panel on "Initiatives to Support the Organic Cotton Ecosystem," the discussion focused on the role of government in driving sustainable practices in the textile industry and strengthening India’s global position. It also explored private sector strategies and investments in regenerative and circular fashion, emphasizing the promising potential of recycled cotton. Additionally, the panel delved into the challenges and opportunities apparel brands face in navigating new regulations in the EU and US. Vikram shared IDH’s Landscape Approach and how our RPLC programme in Madhya Pradesh is driving meaningful change. Our partnership with OCA brings complementary strengths, focusing on direct-farm sourcing, restoring landscapes, and unlocking investments to build climate resilience for smallholder farmers in the State. #organiccotton #climateresilience #regenerativeagriculture #stakeholderholderevent

Today our Women’s Safety Accelerator Fund (WSAF) programme kickstarted the global 16 Days of Activism, embracing this year’s theme: “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”   In partnership with Assam State Rural Livelihoods Missions (ASRLM) and the State Hub for Empowerment of Women (SHEW), Development of Women and Child Development (WCD), we will launch a series of campaigns which will focus on raising awareness, shedding light on harmful societal norms, and fostering safer communities in Assam, West Bengal, and South India. 🔹 Advocate against child marriage and school dropouts by emphasizing education and empowerment through the “Back to School” Campaign. 🔹 Use storytelling to address GBV through the lens of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). 🔹 Host a “Run for Equality” community event to champion gender equality and solidarity. 🔹 Deliver Financial Literacy Education and host the “Break the Cycle” Tableau to address economic barriers. 🔹 Conduct informative sessions on legal frameworks such as the Child Labor Act and Juvenile Justice Act. 🔹 Facilitate empathy-building activities through role-plays, debates, and cause-effect mapping exercises to promote understanding and solutions. 🔹 Produce skits, invisible theatre, and storytelling sessions to inspire reflection and dialogue. 🔹 Encourage community engagement through activities like slogan rallies, gender swaps, and tug-of-war games to spark conversations on equality. 🔹 Organize interactive sessions such as the “No, Go, Tell” Role-Play and “Circle of Safety” Drawing to empower children to recognize and respond to abuse. The 16 Days of Activism is a powerful global movement that reminds us of the urgent need to address GBV. WSAF is committed to breaking cycles of violence by equipping tea workers and their communities with knowledge, tools, and platforms to foster a gender-equal future. #16DaysOfActivism #TowardsBeijing30 #EndGBV #GenderEquality #SocialChange

Strategic partnerships and grassroots empowerment are at the core of sustainable development. Together with ASRLM and ISRAC, IDH is proud to contribute to building climate-resilient producer institutions and advancing sustainable, climate-smart value chains in Assam. From capacity-building workshops to hands-on exercises in climate-smart planning, this training sets a forward-looking path for inclusive, resilient agriculture. #GrassrootsEmpowerment #ClimateResilience #StrategicCollaborations

At the National Spice Conference (NSC) 2024 in Ahmedabad, our own Saurabh Sinha led a panel discussion on the "Role of Sustainability in Building a Food Safe and Resilient Supply Chain". Organized by the World Spice Organisation (WSO) with IDH as the sustainability partner, the conference brought together key stakeholders to address critical challenges and opportunities around food safety and integration of sustainability across the value chain for the Indian spice industry. The panel featured Mr. Sanjeev Bisht, (ITC Limited), Mr. KS Thyagarajan (PI Industries), Mr. Krishnaiah Kodimela (Pasidi Panta), and Ms. FT Chinmayee Deulgaonkar (FoodChain ID India), and it was an insightful discourse on driving sustainability through collaboration, innovation, and market transformation. Key discussions revolved around: 🔹Achieve food safety through robust traceability systems and integrated pest management (IPM) 🔹Address climate vulnerabilities to stabilize farm yields and optimize input costs 🔹Develop low-carbon supply chains through sustainable agricultural practices and technology 🔹Strengthen smallholder livelihoods by improving market access and collective bargaining for farmers With initiatives like the SSI- Sustainable Spices Initiative (SSI) and National Sustainable Spice Program (NSSP) at the forefront, the discussion underscored the importance of collaboration, technology, and consumer-driven demand for sustainably sourced spices. The conference theme, “Sustainable Spices Supply Chain - Way Forward,” resonated throughout the event, which featured participation from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Spices Board India, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), NGOs, and industry leaders. As partners, IDH is proud to contribute to this vital dialogue and drive sustainable solutions in the spices sector in India. #Spices #FoodSafety #ClimateAction #SupplyChains #NationalSpiceConference2024 

Yesterday, we kicked off a week-long convening for ABERA - Accelerating Business to Empower Rural Women in Agriculture - an initiative by IDH and CGAP. Rural women are key to thriving rural economies, yet they face unique climate challenges and remain underrepresented across key roles. ABERA empowers businesses with data, technical support, and peer learning to drive models that boost performance and enhance women's resilience. Through collaboration, we aim to unlock untapped potential, accelerate impactful solutions, and ensure a more sustainable, equitable future for rural women and the agricultural sector. Stay tuned for more insights from the event! #ruraleconomy #climateresilience #genderempowerment

Announcing new collaboration opportunities – calling organisations and individuals dedicated to sustainable agriculture! Join us in advancing regenerative practices in the tea, spices, and coffee sectors. In partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development, we are releasing four Terms of Reference (ToR) that focus on training and capacity-building for smallholder farmers. These ToRs are part of our commitment to promoting regenerative agriculture and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farming communities. Here’s how you can get involved: 🔹 Develop Training Content and Plans: Help transform regenerative agriculture practices into visually engaging, accessible materials for farmers and community stakeholders. ToR: https://lnkd.in/gzd9QMck 🔹 Master Trainer: We’re looking for a Master Trainer to deliver impactful capacity-building sessions on regenerative practices in Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Karnataka. ToR: https://lnkd.in/g6TYSsVX 🔹 Package of Practices (PoPs) for Spices: Seeking experts to develop PoPs for regenerative practices in spices like chili, black pepper, and fennel seeds, while also supporting Training of Trainers (ToT) initiatives. ToR: https://lnkd.in/gnYWFUdS 🔹 Package of Practices (PoPs) for Tea: Experts needed to create PoPs for regenerative tea practices, contributing to sustainable tea farming in India. ToR:  https://lnkd.in/g8C-NPXq Proposals are due by 22nd November 2024, 1800 Hrs IST. For detailed information on each opportunity, please refer to the Terms of Reference documents. #Regenerativeagriculture #Sustainableagriculture #Capacitybuilding Jagjeet Singh Kandal, Jasmer Dhingra (she/her)

We’re happy to bring you the Handbook on Addressing Gender Stereotypes – a go-to resource for challenging gender bias for organisations. The Handbook, created by Sakshi and supported by IDH, is a vital resource addressing gender-based violence with practical, actionable solutions. This handbook embodies IDH’s commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable markets by bringing together diverse stakeholders across global value chains to promote gender equality and empower communities. What’s Inside? 🔹Awareness on impact: Insight into how gender stereotypes affect individuals and society. 🔹Practical tools: Guidance on identifying and challenging stereotypes in daily interactions. 🔹Inclusive practices: Encouragement of respect for all gender identities and expressions. 🔹Policy development support: Resources for organizations to create inclusive, non-discriminatory policies. Who Should Use It? Aimed at sector representatives, value chain stakeholders, and sustainability leaders, it equips organisations to challenge gender stereotypes, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. Access the handbook here: https://lnkd.in/gii8UQAS #Genderequality #sustainabletrade #genderbasedviolence Manisha Majumdar, Jagjeet Singh Kandal

Changemakers, Let’s Decarbonise Fashion! Do you have a groundbreaking idea for sustainable materials, responsible production, mindful consumption, or a wildcard that can push the textile industry toward net-zero? As an official #nominator for the Global Change Award 2025, IDH is on the lookout for innovators ready to make an impact. H&M Foundation is offering 10 winners a grant of €200,000 each, along with a place in their Changemaker Programme to scale solutions that benefit people and the planet. Aligned with IDH’s mission of creating sustainable value chains and fostering better environments, jobs, and incomes, this is your chance to accelerate change where it matters most. Know someone with a transformative idea? Reach out to us. You can learn more at globalchangeaward.com. #GlobalChangeAward #NetZero #decarbonisingfashion #fashioninnovation

We are excited to announce the launch of a Pilot project on post-consumer textile waste management, in partnership with the Textile Commissioners office, Government of India, SBI Foundation, Navi mumbai municipal corporation (NMMC), and Tisser Artisans Trust. The project, inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, aims to address India’s growing textile waste problem. With the country generating approx. 8 million ktons of textile waste annually—8.7% of global waste—and emitting 18 million tons of GHG emissions, the project creates a much-needed model for managing post-consumer textile waste (PCTW). In collaboration with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), it will establish systems for structured waste collection and recycling, reducing landfill dependency and emissions. A key focus will be on empowering women’s communities and workers in the informal sector by integrating them into formal recycling processes. This promotes economic opportunities, improves working conditions, and enhances their social standing—aligning with IDH’s broader mission of creating better jobs and better environment while fostering a resilient and inclusive communities and advancing sustainable and equitable development. Partnerships with leading fashion brands, including Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. and Reliance Industries Limited, ensure a steady demand for recycled materials, supporting long-term sustainability. Designed as a scalable model, this project aims to serve as a blueprint for other ULBs, contributing to IDH's Alternate Materials Accelerator Program (AMAP) target of diverting 1 million tons of textile waste from landfills by 2030.   Office Of The Textile Commissioner - India, ROOP RASHI MAHAPATRA, Jagjeet Singh Kandal, Anjali Krishnan #TextileWaste #PostConsumerTextileWasteManagement #CircularEconomy

Earlier this month, our worker-safety programme, the Life and Building Safety (LABS) Initiative, successfully hosted the second meeting of the Platform for Safety in Apparel and Footwear Industry (PSAFI). This forum aims to foster collaboration, share insights, and advance sustainable safety practices across India’s apparel and footwear sectors. The event featured valuable insights from industry leaders such as Dr Lalit R. Gabhane, Director General of the National Safety Council of India, and Mr. Navneet K. Mohan, Joint Director of Factories, Government of Karnataka. Both emphasized the critical role of leadership and shared responsibility in building a strong safety culture within organizations. With over 140 participants representing more than 35 organizations, including Arvind Limited, Indian Designs Exports Private Limited, RADNIK EXPORTS PRIVATE LIMITED, Pee Empro Exports, Jak Group Pvt. Ltd., and Texport Syndicate India Ltd, along with leading global brands like Amazon, Target, Nike, and Walmart, the event highlighted the power of collective action in addressing safety challenges. A key outcome was the unanimous decision to form a working group dedicated to driving a safety culture across the industry. The discussions also centered on integrating AI and technology for real-time safety monitoring and proactive risk management as transformative tools for improving safety systems. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with industry stakeholders to further elevate safety standards across the sector. #workersafety #apparel #footwear #riskmanagement Madhu K A, Sarobindo Malhotra (He/Him), Ankith Hegde