Funded by the British Embassy in Kathmandu, UKaid सीप brokers transformational partnerships with the private and public sector to propel growth of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in priority sectors.

UKaid सीप’s partnership with the PDA was designed to support resurgence and inclusive growth of the Palpali Dhaka industry for sustainable and quality jobs and enterprise growth.

With support from the Lumbini Province and Tansen Municipality, UKaid सीप supported the co-creation of and co-funding for the PDA in 2019. Comprising of nine firms, सीप’s multi-stakeholder partnership with PDA provided a coordinated platform to improve and institutionalize stronger skilling practices, through standardized three-month apprenticeship-based curriculum on weaving, business literacy, and soft skills and enhanced trainer skills; and other interlinked productivity-enabling interventions.

Through active collaboration between local and global designers and buyers, the Lumbini Provincial Government and the Municipality of Tansen in particular, the सीप-PDA teams have worked hard to embrace culture-based innovations, recyclable materials, and story-embedded products that will continue to define the way Brand Palpali will relate to its innovative products of the future.

Lumbini Province Government, Tansen Municipality and the other municipalities of Palpa have played a huge role in formation of the Palpali Dhaka Association and have deeply invested in the revitalization project. The Mayor of Tansen Municipality, Ashok Kumar Shahi is setting an example for other government bodies to promote and use Palpali Dhaka by using it in the interiors of his own office. 

Revival of Palpali Dhaka industry is a top priority for the Tansen Municipality. The partnership forged among the Lumbini Province Government, Tansen Municipality, Palpali Dhaka Association and UKaid सीप Programme has brought together the private sector, government, and development agencies at a common ground—harnessing the multi-sectoral capabilities to tackle the bottlenecks facing the industry. Indicative of the building momentum, and growing interest in Palpali Dhaka, advocacy is ongoing for Tansen to be declared the ‘Dhaka Capital of Nepal’. 

PDA is working in collaboration with Swiss non-profit organization Label STEP to promote the sustainability of the handmade Dhaka industry and ensure the wellbeing of its weavers. Label STEP has developed fair trade standards specific to the handwoven textile sector in Nepal that provide strict social and environmental guidelines. The guidelines cover: the protection of workers’ health and safety; the assurance of fair wages and protection of agreed wages; the prohibition of child labour; the protection against all forms of discrimination; environmental protection; the protection against forced or bonded labour; and the workers’ right to freedom of association.

The Palpali Dhaka Association has made big strides to implement these guidelines and comply with the fair trade standards. Weavers salaries are set using STEP’s wage calculation tool, making sure that weavers earn at least the governmental minimum wage. Production facilities have been upgraded to prioritize the safety of weaver and workers, emergency measures and protocols have been introduced, and all employees participate in regular safety and occupational health training. All workshops are equipped with sanitary and safe drinking water facilities, adequate lighting conditions, first aid kits and fire safety equipment.

Ethically sourced and eco-friendly products have become a fundamental requirement for a growing number of consumers around the world, and the market for sustainable products continues to grow rapidly. But compliance with fair trade standards is about much more than just satisfying a market demand, it is the heart of the Palpali Dhaka Association’s purpose and philosophy.