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FURNITURE LIVELIHOODS PROGRAM
Savda Ghevra, Delhi, 2016, with CURE
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Savda Ghevra is a resettlement colony located on the western peripheries of Delhi. Approximately 50,000 families were resettled here from informal neighborhoods in Delhi that were cleared to make way for the construction of a new airport and infrastructure for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This displacement led to significant losses for the residents, not only of their homes but also of their livelihoods.

The Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) has been addressing issues of sanitation and water supply in the neighborhood. Building on their work, I collaborated with CURE to initiate a local livelihoods program aimed at introducing and consolidating carpentry and furniture-making skills within the community. The program drew inspiration from CUCULA, a migrant furniture company I visited during the Urban Exchange workshop in Berlin. We also partnered with SEEDS, another NGO active in the area.

After establishing and operating a carpentry workshop within the community, we began training a group of 14 locals under the guidance of a professional carpenter to build DIY flat-pack furniture. Initially, women in the community were hesitant to participate in the furniture workshops. To encourage their involvement, we introduced a parallel toy-making workshop, which successfully piqued their interest.

Upon completing the training program, participants were offered small loans to start their own businesses and set up personal workspaces. Since then, the program has gained momentum, with many of the trained carpenters expanding their skills and producing products beyond flat-pack and DIY furniture. These items, including custom furniture, cater to the local economy, particularly for new homeowners moving into the area.

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