The 23 women artisans of Smart Village Movement’s Plastic Upcycling Project attended an awareness programme on cooperative societies at NEHU, conducted by the Department of Cooperation, Government of Meghalaya, and led by Mandashisha Gashnga, Junior Cooperative Officer.
The session walked the group through what forming a cooperative society of their own would involve, from contributing share capital and an entry fee, to registering under the Meghalaya Cooperative Societies Act, 2015, and setting up a governing body with a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Managing Committee.
The artisans also learned about the benefits available to registered societies, including government support, management subsidies, and financial assistance from the National Cooperative Development Corporation. Members would additionally be entitled to dividends based on their shareholding.
For the artisans, forming a cooperative society would mean more than formal recognition. It would give them a structured, transparent way to manage their upcycling work together, access financial and institutional support, and build a sustainable, member-led enterprise around the products they create.
SVM’s upcycling project featured on DD News Meghalaya
The Upcycling Project was featured on DD News Meghalaya’s Khasi News broadcast on August 23, where S Majaw, Director of the Design Innovation Centre, spoke about how the artisans are trained to create and market their handmade products.
Artisan Mrs E. Kharumlong shared that she joined the six-month programme to help reduce plastic waste, with the group working to raise environmental awareness while creating sustainable livelihoods around it.
The segment showcased how the artisans transform plastic waste into fabric-like products, including bags and pencil pouches, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary designs. The initiative continues to turn waste into value, opening up new economic opportunities for the community.
