annual report 2013- 2014 - avani kumaonavani-kumaon.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/annual... · 3....

Annual Report

2013- 2014

P O Tripuradevi, via Berinag, District Pithoragarh, PIN 262531Uttarakhand, India Phone: 05964 244943

Email: [email protected] Website: www.avani-kumaon.org

www.earthcraft.in

A V A N I

AVANI - Annual Report, 2013-14

2

Table of Contents 1. Development and Dissemination of Renewable Energy Technologies . . 7 1.1. Solar Photovoltaics ..................................................................................................................................... 7 1.2. Cooking Charcoal and electricity from pine needles .................................................................... 7

2. Textiles and Other Income Generating Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2.1. Scale-up Plan ..............................................................................................................................................10 2.2. Cultivation of wild silks ..........................................................................................................................10 2.3. Spinning ........................................................................................................................................................10 2.4. Collection and Cultivation of dye yielding plant material ......................................................11

2.5 Dyes and Pigments ..................................................................................................................................12 2.5.1. Patenting and Certification ................................................................................................................12 2.6. Soap nut powder ......................................................................................................................................13 2.7. Marketing strategies ..............................................................................................................................13 2.8. Craft Tourism ............................................................................................................................................13 2.9. Training Partnerships ...........................................................................................................................14

2.10. Women's Empowerment……..……………………................................................................................14 2.10.1. Self-Help Groups………………..……………………………….….............................................................14 2.10.2. Micro Credit………………..…….……………………………...…………...………………………………….. 14 2.10.3. International Women's Day………… ………..……………………..…………………………………..16 3. Abhivyakti School ..................................................................................................................17 4. Avani Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 5. Evaluation System for Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 6. Workshops and Presentations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 7. Awards and Press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 8. Collaboration with other Institutions during this year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 9. Our Institutional Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 10. Individual Donors 2013-14 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 11. Governing Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 12. General Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 13. Summarized Financial Results 2013-2014 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23


3

Foreword This has been a year of consolidation and preparations for us. Preparations for scaling of the natural fiber naturally dyed textiles and natural color business by setting systems in place for the scale. Preparations for 120 KW pine needle based power station to start generating electricity and cooking charcoal. We have tried to prepare ourselves to take these businesses to new heights, where the impact can be increased many fold. This has meant strategizing, planning and setting up systems for the scale and training. Women On Wings (WOW) has been providing that critical support in strategy and planning and Access Livelihood Consultancy (ALC) in training. Motivational training of SHGs has lead to an increased understanding of ownership issues leading to a sharp increase in members of EarthCraft by 87, leading to a total of 242 shareholders. In order to understand the challenges in scaling a decentralized social business, Rashmi went to attend Global Social Business Incubator program at Santa Clara University, where she worked with mentors to refine the existing business plan. In order to reach out to wider markets for the produce in the villages, testing and certification are necessary to standardize the product. We have initiated the process of testing the natural colors for toxicity and stability in order to present these colors as a real alternative. The 120 KW power station has been installed and ready for commissioning. This will start generating power and cooking charcoal in the coming year. In order to increase accountability and transparency in team work, we are introducing an evaluation system. We have failed in talking forward our sericulture program yet again, but developments on growing of dye yielding plants and its processing is an exciting new addition which we hope to consolidate in the coming year. Collaboration of Abhivyakti school with D-Lab at MIT is continuing and we are making a plan for developing English language curriculum for the next 3 years. The highlight of the year has been receiving TN Khoshoo award on conservation based livelihoods instituted by ATREE presentedby His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. This was not a validation of our work, but benediction to our very existence at the hands of this embodiment of compassion. This was an intense year of activity at Avani as new professional staff has been hired and working with the rural team to enhance the impact of our work in the communities that we work with. On a sad note, we condoled the untimely demise of our Governing Body member Shri Giriraj Sinh, who was an alumni of the Barefoot College, in its early days and was seeped in its philosophy and approach. He was the founder of Sarthi a non profit organization working in Gujarat, and was a great support to us in our journey. Once again, we take this opportunity to extend our special thanks to the all the partners, friends and well wishers who have helped promote AVANI's work. We appreciate their invaluable support and contribution in our endeavors.


4

Tables 1 below provide a summary of the activities being coordinated by the five field centers of Avani. Table 1

S.N.

Nam

e o

f V

illa

ge

Tex

tile

s an

d dy

es

Sola

r

Inst

alla

tio

ns

Seri

cult

ure

SHG

Sav

ings

an

d C

redi

t

SHG

wo

rkin

g

wit

h I

GP

Ver

mi

C

om

post

ing

Bio

gas

Co

mm

un

ity

Hea

lth

Pin

e N

eedl

e C

oll

ecti

on

Rai

n W

ater

H

arve

stin

g

DHARAMGHAR CENTRE

1 Simgarhi √ √ √ √ √ √ 2 Saukyura √ √ √ 3 Dharamghar √ √ √ √ √ 4 Mehrodi √ √ √ √ 5 Lamgingra √ √ √ √ 6 Thuma √ √ 7 Dhura √ 8 Darati √ 9 Basti √ √ √ √ 10 Dudila √ 11 Majhera √ DIGOLI CENTRE 1 Mana √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 2 Digoli √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 3 Dhoulani √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 4 Matkoli √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 5 Kaligar √ 6 Nayal √ 7 Dana √ √ √ √ 8 Raitoli √ 9 Dewal √ √ 10 Silingya √ √ √ 11 Rawatsera √ 12 Bhanyun √ √ 13 Dhura √ 14 Talara √ 15 Pata Dungari √ 16 Saniudiyar √ 17 Doula √ √ 18 Kanyagad √ √ 19 Letgari √ 20 Panigad √ 21 Bheta √ TRIPURADEVI CENTRE 1 Tripuradevi √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 2 Bhandari gaon √ 3 Raiagar √ √ 4 Bana √ √ √ 5 Manipur √


5

6 Hasyuri √ √ √ 7 Borakhet √ √

S.N.

Nam

e o

f V

illa

ge

Tex

tile

s an

d dy

es

Sola

r

Inst

alla

tio

ns

Seri

cult

ure

SHG

Sav

ings

an

d C

redi

t

SHG

wo

rkin

g

wit

h I

GP

Ver

mi

C

om

post

ing

Bio

gas

Co

mm

un

ity

Hea

lth

Pin

e N

eedl

e C

oll

ecti

on

Rai

n W

ater

H

arve

stin

g

8 Busail √ 9 Mungraon √ √ √ 10 Berinag √ √ 11 Sera Pahar √ √ 12 Rawalgaon √ √ √ 13 Sela √ √ 14 Kanurpani √ 15 Julagaon √ √ 16 Pipli √ 17 Jakheri √ √ √ 18 Syalve √ 19 Varsayat √ √ √ 20 Hipa √ √ 21 Jula √ √ 22 Salan √ 23 Gurena Rajwar √ 24 Bahilkote √ √ 25 Seragada √ 26 Falarao

Kharchour √

27 Rai √ √ 28 Byati √ √ 29 Bhingari √ 30 Balta √ √ 31 Sainikhet √ 32 Musalgar √ 33 Nalli √ 34 Baisali √ 35 Kafali √ 36 Jhuni √ 37 Dobargara √ √ 38 Poaussa √ 39 Kalasila √ 40 Chachret √ 41 Morari √ 42 Calpal √ 43 Tunera √ CHANKANA

CENTRE

1 Chankana √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 2 Muni √ √ √ √ 3 Goda √ 4 Pungarkholi √ 5 Lingurani √ √ 6 Majhera √


6

S.N.

Nam

e o

f V

illa

ge

Tex

tile

s an

d dy

es

Sola

r

Inst

alla

tio

ns

Seri

cult

ure

SHG

Sav

ings

an

d C

redi

t

SHG

wo

rkin

g

wit

h I

GP

Ver

mi

C

om

post

ing

Bio

gas

Co

mm

un

ity

Hea

lth

Pin

e N

eedl

e C

oll

ecti

on

Rai

n W

ater

H

arve

stin

g

7 Seena √ 8 Gadtir √ √ 9 Bhanelgaon √ 10 Puring √ 11 Patoli √ 12 Belkote √ √ √ 13 Puranathal √ 14 Dangigaon √ 15 Khaitijolli √ SUKNA CENTRE 1 Sukna √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 2 Ghangal √ √ √ 3 Baneni √ √ √ 4 Rammandir √ √ 5 Dhaulani √ 6 Gwal √ 7 Golti √ √ 8 Chak √ √ √ 9 Okharani √ Thanga centre 1 Chantola √ √ √ √ √ √ 2 Aulani √ √ √ √ 3 Simayal √ √ √ √ √ √ 4 Thanga √ √ √ √ √ √ 5 Rawatsera √ 6 Nargoli √ 7 Devlet √ √ 8 Dhanad √ √ 9 Paithan √


7

The following details outline the activities undertaken by Avani during the year 2013-14.

1. Development and Dissemination of Renewable Energy Technologies With high grid penetration in our area of operation, solar has become more or less a supplementary source of power for villages. Our efforts in the past few years have also focused on generation of electricity and cooking charcoal from pine needles, an abundantly available resource and a nuisance people want to get rid of.

1.1. Solar Photovoltaics Once the pride of our work, bringing solar energy technology to 25 villages of this area, is a very low key affair in the changed scenario. All the villages electrified earlier with solar energy have now been connected to the grid. However, Solar continues to be a supplementary source of power and apart from helping families with replacing old batteries to continue running their home lighting systems, 139 families bought new solar lights as supplementary source of power. The workshop also trained a young man supported by Ram Krishna Kutir, Almora, as solar technician. Though generation of solar energy as a clean source of power is still relevant in this age of increasing energy needs, its dissemination in this changed scenario of reliable grid access needs to be reinvented, perhaps setting up a for profit operation of grid connected solar power plants, which will not only generate clean power but continue to bring technology and employment to the area. In order to utilize the local capacity that we developed in solar energy technology, we will need to explore this in the coming years.

1.2. Cooking Charcoal and electricity from pine needles

As has been reported earlier, we have pioneered the use of abundantly available pine needles for the generation of electricity and cooking charcoal to accommodate rural energy needs. We set up a 9 KW pilot project to prove the concept. This invention has the potential to be a game changer for the forest department in the mitigation of fire hazards within the large tracts of Pine forests in the Himalayan region. Local communities could also gain access to enhanced eco system services, employment, and both electrical and cooking energy. After many years of efforts and the incorporation of a company to scale this social business idea, the funding for setting up a 120 KW power station was finally made available to Avani Bio Energy by Acumen, a non-profit fund who invests in social businesses, impacting poverty. The installation of this power station, including the evacuation lines, though has taken longer than planned, was completed in February. However, connection to the grid needed some more testing and certifications, which has been applied for and expected to be completed in April 2014, after which we shall start producing power. During the year, 47 collectors collected 61 tons of pine needles earning to total of 61 thousand Rupees. The total collection season was 36 days due to untimely rains, but we were successful in demonstrating that collecting pine needles can


8

be a serious income generating activity. Deepa Devi and her daughter earned Rs. 12,500 In 35 days working 4-5 hours every day. Given that the usual collection season is 3 months, there is a potential of earning up to Rs. 30,000 during the season. We have continued to do cooking demonstrations with charcoal produced from our 9 KW power plant. We have also procured a briquetting machine to briquette the charcoal and working with Dr. Bhaskar Reddy, a biochar and stoves expert to improve the charcoal stove that was developed with his help some years ago. As earnings from this program are seasonal, we also started a program on generating supplementary earnings for pine needle collectors. We are working with pine needle collectors for growing vegetables, dye plants, tea and silk cocoons on lands which are sub productive or not cultivated at all. This has been thought of as there is ready market for most of these products with EarthCraft. Detailed plans for implementing this program have been made at a very small scale, and the work on selection of beneficiaries been started. These selected farmers will prepare plots for multi tier farming growing sericulture species, tea and madder in the same plot. This will help conserve soil and water while increasing yield from each plot and giving income throughout the year. Give2Asia, a San Francisco based group has provided financial assistance for this work. Apart from many awards won and positive press coverage during previous years for this socially and ecologically useful business model, Avani Bio Energy has won Artha Ventures Challenge (AVC). AVC is funded by the Artha Platform and its founding organisation Rianta Philanthropy Ltd. AVC was launched in Sankalp Unconvention 2013 with an aim to find and support ambitious Indian social entrepreneurs with access to finance and powerful connections and help them raise investment. ABE has been declared a winner which will be announced at Sankalp 2014. We were declared a runner up in Startup India Funding Challenge by Stern Fisher and CNBC TV 18. This challenge recognized us for excellence in the categories of Technology, Business Innovation, Social Impact, Big Idea, Global Potential and Green categories. Confederation of Indian Industry, Dehradun presented us with the green trophy for our efforts in environment and ecology. Most importantly, Avani was recognized for its work in Conservation, Ecology and Development by His Holiness , The Dalai Lama who presented us with T.N. Khoshoo memorial award instituted by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE). This idea continued to be covered in Indian press. Newspapers such as Amar Ujala has covered the story of cooking charcoal and electricity from pine needles and its impact on Himalayan people as well as ecosystem on the front page. After the commissioning of this 120 KW power plant is over, we look forward to start working on other similar projects in the nearby villages, where people have expressed serious interest in this work. We are also exploring new funding option for scaling up of this enterprise, and talking to funds along these lines. The idea is to generate energy for over 1.25 million people in the next 4 years. San Francisco based Erol Foundation has provided financial support for strengthening the supply chain and team capacity building so that we can prepare for scaling of this work.


9

2. Textiles and Other Income Generating Activities Our work with the revival of traditional craft of hand spinning and hand weaving has led to making contemporary sustainable textiles using these traditional skills and natural fiber. This endeavor has developed into a profit making rural enterprise owned by artisans and farmers, involving over 1050 farmers and artisans. EarthCraft, the artisans cooperative was born in 2005 and handles production and sales of colors and textiles. Avani continues to provide development support to EarthCraft such as product development, marketing, and capacity building for the scale. EarthCraft made 87 new members during the year, leading to a total of 242 shareholders. This year, total proceeds from EarthCraft’s sales were Rs. 46.65 Lakhs and almost 31 lakhs Rupees were generated as direct wages/salaries for farmers, artisans and local staff involved in the management of the enterprise. During the year, 521 artisans and dye material collectors from 52 villages and hamlets participated in this program. This year, 93.28 percent of these beneficiaries were women. Weavers continue to get health insurance support under Development Commissioner Handicrafts welfare schemes for the artisans. The list of villages associated with the textile program is given below in table 2. Table 2 Name of center

Dh

aram

ghar

D

ist.

B

ages

hw

ar

Dig

oli

D

ist

Bag

esh

war

Tri

pura

devi

D

ist

Pit

ho

raga

rh

Ch

anka

na

Dis

t.

Pit

ho

raga

rh

Sukn

a D

ist.

P

ith

ora

garh

Th

anga

D

istt.

Bag

esh

war

Simgarhi Mana Mehrodi Chankana Sukna Thanga Saukyura Digoli Bhandarigaon Muni Ghanghal Aulani Dhura Dhaulani Rai Agar Goda Dhaulani Simayal Dharamghar Matkholi Bana Pungarkholi Ram

Mandir Dhanad

Majhera Nayal Tripuradevi Lingurani Baneni Paithan Thuma Kaligar Mungraon Gadtir Nargoli Darati (Munsiari)

Dhura Manipur Bhanelgaon Khani

Basti Talara Hasyuri Puring Karariaga

on Berinag Patoli

Pabhaya Varsayat Gobargara Kalasila Chourmuniya

Vil lages associated


10

2.1. Scale-up Plan Avani has recruited some of the professional staff to look after different aspects of the project. These are financial consultant, marketing consultant, marketing executive, design and color consultant, project manager and supply chain manager. We are also in process to hire a design and process optimization consultant who will join us soon. We are also in consultation with Amplifier Strategies, a strategic consulting firm in San Francisco to make a branding strategy and design of the AVANI brand. They will finalise the homepage of the new website as well as two page brand guide that our team of graphic designers and internet related work will be coordinated by us. We are now exploring the possibility of being incubated by IIT, Delhi as we need sustained technical support for standardization of both the textile dyeing as well as the pigment and extract production. Professor Gulrajani, who is the Head of Department of Textiles, has a lot of experience in working with natural dyes and has been guiding us over the past six months. However, we will need to formalize this association. To be incubated we will need to float another company that will collaborate with IIT, Delhi and they will have a small share in the company as well. IIT will provide us space on their campus to this company to use the resources at IIT as well as to work with the faculty. As part of the scaling up, Avani has recruited some professional help in the areas of marketing and finance. We have spent considerable time and energy in developing financial systems, budget, market plan, supply chain systems and production plan. Attention was also paid to certification of colors and textiles, so that we can reach out to markets with these products.

2.2. Cultivation of wild silks In order to meet the silk yarn requirement for the textile enterprise, cultivation of eri, muga, and oak tussar, the wild silks of India, was initiated with farmers many years ago. This program was started with the technical support of the Central Silk Board and Department of Sericulture, of the Government of Uttarakhand. Our efforts in disseminating cultivation of wild silks have not been very fruitful as most of the farmers have not continued cultivation if silk for a combination of reasons including availability if quality eggs to erratic weather conditions. The main source of silk cocoons and yarn for EarthCraft is from other geographies, where these are traditional practices. Our plans of working intensively with select farmers did not bear fruit due to overwhelming and untimely rain which spoilt the foliage needed for worm production. We plan to continue our efforts on sericulture with a small number of farmers in the coming year, to be able to demonstrate the earning potential of silk worm rearing in this region.

2.3. Spinning Avani has revived the skill of hand spinning of wool and silk in the area on drop spindles. To be able to produce more yarn locally for generating more wages in the area and develop a dependable supply chain, we need to increase the remuneration of the spinners we have been exploring the treatment of raw material as well as part mechanization through introduction of small scale carding and multispindle spinning wheels. As part of these efforts, we introduced Amber Charkhas, multi spindle spinning machines provided by Khadi Gramodyog and Industries Commission. We trained 11 spinners on these


11

machines and 3 spinners are involved in regular production of wool yarn earning Rs. 1000 per month. It is hoped that as they get more familiar with the machine and more adept at handling the material, they can increase their incomes The silk yarn as a source of livelihood can support the local silk farmers and is likely to motivate more people in the area to take up sericulture. Our efforts of working with Kumarguru Institute of Technology on developing a small scale carding machine and multispindle charkhas in this direction have not yet delivered desired results. Yarn quality during the test production has not been of acceptable quality and the work is continuing with them

2.4. Collection and Cultivation of dye yielding plant material

At Avani, we dye all of our textile material on campus using an eco-friendly approach with plant based dye material. Harvesting the plants needed to make the dye has created an income generating opportunity to the women’s self-help groups. Using these plants has led to the protection and plantation of useful species like soap nut, myrobalan, pomegranate, and madder, as well as the elimination of invasive species like eupatorium. The dye yielding plants have proven to be effective for commercial use, giving the farmers incentive to make an effort to harvest more of the plants instead of destroying them, which conserves and enhances biodiversity while generating an income. Though farmers continue to collect dye material from existing plants in the villages, progress has been slow on the cultivation of dye yielding plants. We are still in the process of standardizing the cultivation practices, which will allow us to promote farming practices through self-help groups so that community members can benefit from the income generating potential. In the meantime, people continue to make an income by collecting dye yielding plants from the wild. On the Tripuradevi campus, a nursery was prepared to cultivate madder and Indigofera tinctoria from seeds collected from plants grown at Avani earlier. We prepared almost 800 saplings of Indigo, which were given to the farmers to be transplanted on wasteland. Due to our prior inexperience with Indigo cultivation, we were able to harvest very limited quantities of leaves for conducting dyeing trial with locally produced Indigo. We got excellent quality of color and collected almost 4 kilograms of seeds from another set of plants on our campus and in the villages. Next year, we are going to directly sow Indigo seeds on wasteland for production. Madder nursery did not give encouraging results as we could only grow some 50 plants of madder. We sought expert advice and found that we could achieve better results in raising madder nursery with cuttings from creepers. Next monsoon, we have planned to make the nursery with creepers harvested from the wild. Soil testing, for various parameters that can affect growth of dye yielding plants, have been completed and based on these results, villages have been finalized for cultivation of Indigo and Madder for the coming year. A total of 2 acres of wasteland was brought under Indigo, Madder, Myrobolan and Soapnut plantation with 60 farmers. Results of Indigo were very good, but more attention will have to be paid to other species. For the coming year, 10 acres of land has been identified for cultivation of all these species with farmers in various villages.


12

2.5. Dyes and Pigments The dye yielding plants grown locally and dye material collected locally is processed at our natural dyeing workshop to color textiles and extract pigments for use in other products such as crayon and water colors or sell as extract to other units needing dyes.

As part of our scale up plans, we had installed a spray drier and a dyeing cabinet for mechanization of yarn dyeing. Dyeing cabinet has been made operational, though the cabinet is being used only partially. The pigment extraction process has been very erratic as the spray drier for making extract has been giving trouble. It’ll take some more work on our part to fully integrate these machines in dyeing and extraction, and we are seeking technical help so that the production of pigments as well as mechanized dyeing of yarn can be fully integrated in the system. In the mean time, we continue to do dyeing as well as extracting pigments using partially these machines and partially following manual processes.

The extracts and pigments as reported earlier are used for making water colors and crayons. Both these products have been made available for sale and generated interest. These dyes are also used to dye knitting yarn and make it available as do it yourself kits for knitting. Substantial sized sample orders of these products have been supplied and the feedback from buyers is very good. The coming year will see a concerted effort to promote these products.

2.5.1. Patenting and certification

Full applications for 4 patents for the coloring substrate materials from natural organic sources have been filed. These materials are used for all of our pigmented products including crayons, watercolors, and dyed yarn. Our pending patents are more specifically related to the novel bio-origin based coloring substrate used for cosmetic products, wood stains, crayons, and multiple applications. These patents will allow us to preserve the interest of the cooperative and its artisans by ensuring that we are not prevented from using these products in the future. Additionally, 3 new provisional applications for specific cosmetic products related to bio-origin based coloring substrate have been filed during the year.

During the year, we applied for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification for our pigments. GOTS is a globally recognized processing standard for organic textiles, based on social and environmental criteria. This is important for consumers, as they will be able to easily identify our textile and colors products as socially and environmentally responsible, through a trusted third party accreditation. 11 pigment samples were sent to them, and discussions are underway to understand how can they proceed on testing and certification of all these pigments as pigment certification is new to them. In the mean time, they have tested one pigment for heavy metal and banned amines, with both not detected in our samples. The tests on rest of the samples will be conducted during the coming year as the procedural clarity comes in.

ARRDHOR , a French company making natural pigments for cosmetics, successfully developed eye shadow by using pigments extracted from


13

Eupatorium, walnut and Flame of forest, Marigold and Pomegranate. ARRDHOR also determined that our pigments would be appropriate for printing on textiles. We have followed up with them on future course of action and will be collaborating more actively with them in standardizing the processes so that pigments can be supplied to them for cosmetic products.

Our pigments were tested by Shristi Lab Banglore. This testing included a physiochemical analysis, solubility analysis, microbiological analysis, and fastness tests of our pigments. Through these tests the Lab had suggested some measures to improve the shelf life of crayons, which was subsequently incorporated in the production processes.

SGS (Societe Generale de Surveillance) an International certification agency has tested 32 of our dyed yarn samples for different standards for fastness including saliva, sweat, washing, rubbing and light. Most of our samples have passed the test. This information will help us standardize and position our products in the market.

2.6. Soap nut Avani is also developing a new revenue line of soap nut based products. Most of the region’s soap nut production is currently being exported internationally and used in cleaning products such as laundry detergent. We would like to reintroduce the use of organic soap nut powder as an all-purpose detergent to replace the chemical detergents that are commonly used in the region. We are also considering the prospect of selling the whole kernels. The packaging for this product has been finalized, and again, a test order received which will be supplied early next year.

2.7. Marketing strategies As a contribution to the scale-up plan, in 2012-13, Earthcraft turned its focus toward e-marketing as a means of increasing sales and by extension, the income of its beneficiaries. Plans to restructure the existing Earthcraft website for e-marketing are underway. Before we do this, we need to revamp the existing Avani website. A brand strategy document has been prepared with help from Women On Wings (WOW) and shared with Amplifier Strategies, strategy advisory company, who is developing the wire frame and home page of Avani website based on this brand concept. Amplifier Strategies is a San Francisco based company who raised funding from Erol Foundation to do this work. Once the basic design is finalized, Digital Empowerment Foundation will help us with technical implementation of this design and simultaneously develop e-store. As part of our marketing strategy, we have also consciously tried to increase the number of retail businesses who can carry our products in their stores. During the year contact with 16 retail businesses was established, out of which 7 have started selling our products. This is over and above the 13 stores we were already selling till the previous year. We continue to promote Avani brand and sell our products through national and international exhibitions.

2.8. Craft Tourism We continue to work with developing craft tourism in our work area. These craft tours are a collaborative effort between tourists and our artisans. The idea of this cultural exchange is that visitors will not only buy our products, but will


14

also either contribute their skills to the production process or will have the opportunity to learn such skills. We have received 2 organized craft tours apart from odd visitors dropping in. More efforts will be put in to make craft tourism an organized activity in the coming years.

2.9. Training Partnerships As part of our partnership with Uttarakhand Open University (UOU), we trained 30 more participants during the year, making a total of 60 weavers trained at Avani. As the program is funded by Development Commissioner handicrafts (DCH), apart from the weavers being given certificates by UOU, they will also get craftperson identity card from DCH, and this allows them to connect the weavers with welfare schemes of Government of India. During the coming years, we will explore the possibility of connecting these artisans with DCH schemes for them to become independent producers. Avani was also selected by Women On Wings (WOW) as one of the partners for making professional assistance available. WOW develops the business with and provides information to organizations that create jobs for women in rural areas. WOW has provided sustained expert inputs to our team for developing a strategic plan and brand strategy to give a direction for scaling our work. Access Livelihood Consulting (ALC) conducted a training workshop with EarthCraft functionaries for developing the implementation plan. The targets for scale up plan were broken down to each center and budgets prepared accordingly. This implementation plan was shared with other members and each members roles and responsibilities were ascertained in consultation with them. ALC also helped in developing the content for motivational training of members of EarthCraft and SHGs. Based on these inputs, Avani team developed a training module and staggered trainings were conducted with 122 members spread over 21 SHGs. A major outcome of these motivational trainings is increase of interest in these activities and consequent increase of EarthCraft members during the year.

2.10. Women ’s Empowerment

2.10.1. Self-Help Groups The work that we initiated in 2007 in the villages is mostly organized around village level institutions. Women’s self-help groups (SHG’s) are one such institution. Substantial farming and textile processing activities are organized around these groups. We also use these groups to introduce our income generating activities, such as the collection and processing of dye materials, to the villages. Presently, we are working with 320 members across 28 SHG’s, as opposed to 371 members across 33 during previous year, which are involved in various activities. Some nonfunctional groups have been dissolved and new groups started during the year. This was necessary due to many members having left the group and their demand for dissolving these groups. This has helped the groups to retain only interested and active members. Motivational training conducted with these groups has helped them create better understanding of groups functioning and they are now working to increase their numbers by reaching out to new members in the villages.

2.10.2. Micro Credit The SHGs are comprised of socially cohesive groups of women from the same hamlet who save money regularly through individual monthly contributions to


15

a common fund, which is managed by some members from within the group. These groups provide loans for various needs to the members from this fund who require financial assistance. Over the total duration of the project, these groups have provided loans that total Rs. 8,86,320 and have recovered Rs. 5,66,463 of these loans. As is evident from the table below, the churning in these self help groups continue. One of the causes contributing to this situation is continued migration of members out of their villages, leading to the dissolution, and in certain cases reconstruction, of their groups. Other groups were dissolved due to their discontinued interest in this activity following numerous years of participation. However, training programs conducted with 12 members spread over 21 SHGs has helped the members develop better understanding, and 17 out of these 21 groups have already increased their monthly per member saving from Rs. 10 to Rs. 50. These training programs were focused on discussing strength in cooperation and self reliance. These training programs have also resulted in increasing the members of EarthCraft. During the previous year, we had signed an agreement with NABARD for strengthening of these groups. This was to facilitate capacity building of these groups. Though we have worked on capacity building of the groups, owing to NABARD’s laid out maturity criterion of bank linkage as availing of bank loan, we have not been able to utilize assistance from NABARD. Availing of bank loans for non productive activities runs the risk of pushing these groups in debt traps. Most of the members of these SHGs earn through income generation activities initiated by Avani, and do not need bank loans to further these activities as capital is not needed for the same. SHGs are comfortable saving from their earnings and provide consumption loans to members from these savings, without the need to borrow from outside sources. The details of the saving and credit activity of the women’s groups are given in tables 3 and 4: Table 3

Nam

e o

f gr

ou

p

No.

mem

bers

Mee

tin

g h

eld

No.

of

wo

men

pr

esen

t

Dep

osi

t u

p to

31

st

Mar

ch 13

Dep

osi

t in

13-14

Ref

un

ded

to

mem

bers

13-14

To

tal

depo

sit

Loan

gi

ven

la

st y

ear

Loan

gi

ven

in

13-14

Loan

re

fun

ded

13-14

Lamjhingra 11 7 67 0 36,780 0 36,780 0 23,000 11,503 Chantola 8 4 24 6,400 7,525 0 13,925 0 3,000 0 Simayal 15 6 58 12,900 7,993 0 20,893 0 3,000 0 Mana 12 10 103 56,000 2,440 0 58,440 5,000 0 0 Dhoulani 12 11 99 44,973 6,177 49,000 2,150 0 0 0 Simgarhi 11 9 83 32,616 6,667 0 39,283 0 0 0 Tripuradevi 5 11 54 11,745 5,600 0 17,345 0 10,000 3,300 Digoli 17 11 135 29,308 5,820 0 35,128 0 0 0 Matkoli 6 11 59 2,600 720 0 3,320 0 0 0 Thanga 7 0 0 4,040 0 0 4,040 0 0 0 Sukna 10 10 100 33,739 11,000 33,739 11,000 0 0 0


16

Sil ingya 7 8 5 3,445 4,200 0 7,645 0 0 0 Mungraon 17 8 73 25,286 7,750 0 33,036 12,000 0 0 Bana 16 7 105 4,200 10,050 0 14,250 0 0 0 Sela 10 10 153 2,116 7,770 0 9,886 0 0 0 Kanurpani 5 6 30 14,397 600 0 14,997 0 0 0 Jula 21 7 116 25,380 11,700 20,680 16,400 0 0 0

Aulani 11 7 54 29,248 9,501 0 38,749 20,00

0 10,000 25,000 Basti 20 9 103 30,064 14,392 0 44,456 6,000 0 0 Okhrani 10 3 29 13,175 4,560 0 17,735 8,000 0 0 Jakheri 7 10 57 2,100 3,500 0 5,600 0 0 0 Chetna Tripuradevi 8 0 0 43,990 0 0 43,990 13,000 5,000 13,000 Varsayt 10 12 98 2,600 2,400 0 5,000 0 0 0 Chankana 15 12 113 0 6,100 1,100 5,000 0 0 0 Bhuni 12 11 120 0 5,520 0 5,520 0 0 0 Digoli2 12 11 109 0 2,640 0 2,640 0 0 0 Tripuradevi2 11 9 89 0 8,400 0 8,400 0 5,000 0 Sukna2 14 10 126 0 7,200 0 7,200 0 0 0

Total 320 230 2162 4,30,322 1,97,005 1,04,51

9 5,22,808 64,00

0 59,000 52,803 Table 4

2.10.3. International Women ’s Day 200 women from 30 villages participated in the International Women’s day celebrations held at Avani headquarters on March 8. These celebrations were aimed at awareness generation of women rights among SHG members, instill a sense of self reliance and their recognition as members actively contributing to

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Total Groups 35 33 28 Total Members 423 371 320 No . of meetings held 206 212 230 Total attendance 1819 1725 2162 Total Deposit in the year 81,100 1,25,182 1,97,005 Total collection of groups 6,98,496 5,09,194 5,22,808 Credit given 76,600 104000 59,000 Recovery of the loan given by the groups

91,300 72,400 52,803

Total credit given by the groups in the last three years

5,61,550 3,38,350 2,39,600


17

the rural economy. Role plays, light hearted competition among weavers, and group discussions were organized and winners given awards of recognition for their contributions.

3. Abhivyakti School Abhivyakti School based on child friendly learning methodology was started in April 2011 on Avani campus The school’s methodology is also reflected in its name as Abhivyakti means “Expression”. The school promotes playful learning to engage the children in their learning experience. The students strength increased to 9 during the year. Collaboration of Abhivyakti school with D-Lab at MIT is continuing and we are making a plan for developing English language curriculum for the next 3 years. The teachers attended 4 training programs organized by Sri Aurobindo Education Society at Madhuban in Ramgarh and Mirambika school in New Delhi. The training were focused on building teachers skills in English language, Social Studies and child development. Teachers spent one week at Mirambika school in Delhi observing classes for learning teaching methodology.

4. Avani Campus The Avani campus is primarily run on electricity from solar energy and pine needles. However, due to increasing power requirements, some houses for Avani staff were connected to the grid last year. This year, Avani workshops were also connected to the grid as power requirements for processing of textiles have increased. As suggested last year, we have explored the possibility of becoming grid-interactive, but not made any progress on this front. Rainwater harvesting and waste water recycling continue to be unique features of our eco friendly living. The organic vegetable garden on Avani campus continues to grow vegetable for our community kitchen with more vigor. We are also using this garden as a demonstration plot for our community outreach program. The garden also has nurseries of dye yielding plants such as Indigo and Madder. 5. Evaluation system for employees With an aim to set right systems in place for the organization to function efficiently, an important step was taken to establish goals and targets for each employee in the organization. This not only brings in transparency in the organization but also helps employees evaluate their performance themselves throughout the year. Goals of individual managers were set in line with the goal of the organization and the responsibilities were then divided amongst the employees in the organization tree. Each employee prepared his/ her own target sheets to ensure that the person is fully aware of his/her role in the organization. External help was provided by Mr. Alok Jain, Ex VP & COO – Aspire Human Capital who oversaw the entire process.

6. Workshops and Presentations This year, we were able to present the work of Avani in various forums and addressed a large diversity of audiences. This has generated a lot of interest and positive support for the organization. During the past year we made presentations at the following places:


18

Table 5 S.N Particular From Venue Participants Organized

by

1 International workshop in natural dyes

5-3-14 to 7-3-14

Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad

Ms. Rashmi Bharti

NAIP – National Agriculture Innovation Project

2 Event on natural dyes

15-2-14 to 18-2-14

Satyajit Ray Auditorium, Kolkata

Ms. Rashmi Bharti

SUTRA Kolkata

3 Sustainable management of non timber forest produce

11-12-13 to 12-13-14

Indira Gandhi National forest academy, Dehradun

Rajendra Kumar Joshi

Indira Gandhi National forest academy, Deharadun

4 Acumen CEO summit

21-5-13 to 22-5-13

Madurai

Rajnish Jain Acumen

5 Ennovent 24-5-13 Delhi Rajnish Jain Ennovent

6 New Ventures Forum

10-12-13 Mumbai Rajnish Jain New Ventures India

7 ADB Nepal 6-3-14 to 7-3-14

Nepal Rajnish Jain ADB

8 ADB Myanmar

21-3-14 to 22-3-14

Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

Rajnish Jain ADB

9 GSBI 11-8-13 to 2-9-13

Santa Clara, USA

Rashmi Bharti Santa Clara University

10 IVLP 13-4-13 to 4-5-13

Washington, D.C., USA

Rashmi Bharti Sponsored by the Department of State, USA

11 Inclusive Innovation

10-12-13 to 11-12-13

Pune Ritesh Singhania Persistent Systems


19

12 Sankalp Unconvention

16-4-13 to 18-4-13

Mumbai Rajnish Jain Ritesh Singhania

Intellecap

We have also participated in the following events over the past year:

7. Awards and Press

Table 6 lists the awards that Avani and its affiliates have received over the past year:

Table 6

Name of Awards

Field By

T.N. Khoshoo Award

Conservation based livelihood opportunities

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment presented by the Dalai Lama

Green award Conservation based livelihood opportunities

Confederation of Indian Industry

Artha Venture Challenge

Renewable Energy

Artha Ventures

Young Turks Runners Up

Renewable Energy

CNBC

Sankalp Finalist Renewable Energy Intellecap

• The Tribune The pioneer and Garhwal Post featured CII presents Uttarakhand Annual Green Award to AVANI.

• Amar Ujala featured “ Generating 120 kv electricity through pine needles”.

• Amar Ujala featured AVANI receive T.N. Khoshoo award in creating conservation based livelihood opportunities.


20

8. Collaboration with other Institutions during this year National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad Aarohi, Nainital The People Tree, Delhi The Weaver’s Wheel Network, Goa AIACA, New Delhi Dastakar, Delhi Friends of Tilonia, USA IDDS and D-lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA Grassroots, Ranikhet University of St. Gallan, Switzerland Uttarakhand Open University Haldwani Himalayan Education Foundation, USA Slow Fibre Studios, San Francisco Silk Mark Organization, New Delhi CII, Deharadun Indira Gandhi National Forest Acedemy, Dehradun College of Home science, Hyderabad CERES, Australia Women on wings, Netherland SUTRA Kolkata The Green people of INDIA, Mumbai Makaibari Tea Company, Japan Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden University of Ottawa Azim premji University, Banglore Earth Institute, Auroville Young Mountain Tea Company Fullbright


21

9. Our Institutional Donors Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Barr foundation, USA Citi Foundation, Mumbai Errol, foundation, USA Give 2 Asia, USA Citi Foundation ATREE

10. Individual Donors 2012-13

The total amount of donations received from individual donors, amount to Rs. 3,28,836. Table 7

Donor Amount in Rupees

Ursula Grace 8800.00 Ms. Francoies 23682 Ms. Katie 2500.00 Ms. Rima Dave 10000.00 Ms. Judith Kerner 2400.00 Mr. Kushagra Aggrawal 1200.00 Mr. Neeraj Singh 3000.00 Mr. Hari Natrajan 2100.00 Mr. Adhiraj Murthy Vable 33500.00 Ms. Wenke 20568.00 Ms. Stafanie 20568.00 Mr. Cornel Vogel 20568.00 Tokyo Keizai 13200.00 Ms. catherine confino 8000.00 Ms. Anila Siddiqui 13000.00 Ms. Pamli Deka 3200.00 Mr. Tatz Miki 3200.00 Mr. Onkar Nath 1600.00 Anoushka Mahar 5000.00 Mr. Kailash Iyer 800.00 Ms. Disa 11500.00 Ms. Sieta 21600.00 Mr. Aman 3300.00 Ms. Francoise.( Switzerland) 95550.00


22

11. Governing Body Table 8 Name Address Designation

Ms . Pamela Chatterjee Village Bagarijauna, Kausani Distt Bageshwer UA

President

Mr . Rajnish Jain PO Tripuradevi, via Berinag, Distt Pithoragarh, UA 262531

Secretary

Mr . Yogeshwar Kumar 53- Rajouri Appartments, Opposite Govt. Press Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064

Treasurer

Ms . Ritu Sethi 338 KP Thaker Block Asian Games Village, New Delhi 110039

Member

Dr . Smita Vora A-3, Rahul Terrace Meera nagar, Koregaon Park, Pune-411001

Member

Dr . Shekhar Pathak

'Parikrama', Talla Danda, Tallital, NAINITAL- 263 002, Uttarakhand

Member

CA Sudeep Agarwal H-222, Naraina Vihar, Near Gurudwara, New Delhi - 28

Member

12. General Body Table 9 Name Address Mr. Jasod singh Village – Bhanyun, Distt. Pithoragarh Mr. Balram singh Village – Bhanyun, Distt. Pithoragarh Mr. Fakir Ram Village – Chantola, Distt. Bageshwar Mr. Rajendra Joshi Village – Dewal Bichral Distt. Bageshwar Ms. Hema Agri Village – Beladagar, Distt. Pithoragarh Ms. Radhuli Bora Village – Digoli, Distt. Bageshwar Mr. Govind Singh Bora Village – Golti, Distt. Pithoragarh Mr. Anand Ballabh Pant Village – Bana, Distt. Pithoragarh Ms. Kamla Bora Village – Chankana, Distt. Pithoragarh Mr. Kumud Pant Village – Bana, Distt. Pithoragarh Mr. Mahesh Ram Village – Chantola, Distt. Bageshwar Mr. Verma Ram Village – Golti, Distt. Pithoragarh Mr. Deep pant Village – Bana, Distt. Pithoragarh Ms. Rewati Bora Village – Digoli, Distt. Bageshwar Mr. Heera singh Dharmshaktu Village – Dharamghar, Distt. Bageshwar Mr. Pan singh Mahara Village – Mehrodi, Distt. Bageshwar Ms. Rashmi Bharti Avani – Tripuradevi, Distt. Pithoragarh Mr. Mohan Singh Mehara Village – Chachret, Distt. Pithoragarh Mr. Kishan Singh Mehera Village - Chachret, Distt. Pithoragarh Mr. Hayat Singh Village- Chankana, Distt. Pithoragarh


23

13. Summarized Financial Results (2013-2014)

Income & Expenditure

Unutil ised Opening Balance

(Pr .Yr .)

FCRA 9,238,213.11 Local 328,039.00

Income

Local

Sales 453,631.52 Grants -

Donation/Fee 366,775.00 Awards 100,000.00 Interest 217,301.00

Closing Stock 839,309.00 1,977,016.52

FCRA Grants 15,788,824.00

Awards 50,000.00 Donation 23,682.00

Interest FCRA 80,932.00 15,943,438.00

TOTAL 27,486,706.63

Expenditure

Local Opening Stock 840,000.00

Purchase 341,938.50 Grants -

Donation/Fee 118,742.92 Award -

Other Expenses (Net) 310,974.41 Depreciation 226,003.60 1,837,659.43

FCRA Grants 6,560,907.20

Donation 92,211.29 6,653,118.49


24

Unutil ised Grants/Donation Local 247,365.29 FCRA 18,447,600.62

Interest FCRA 80,932.00

Income for the year 220,030.81

TOTAL 27,486,706.63

Balance Sheet

Sources of Funds Capital Fund 9,315,043.33

Utilised Grants for Fixed Assets 16,875,586.00 Unutilised Grants/Donation & Intt. 19,052,244.56

Current Liabilities 2,358,549.01

TOTAL 47,601,422.90

Application of funds

Fixed Assets 20,475,655.29 Cash/Bank 21,340,518.87

Closing Stock 839,309.00 Other Current Assets 4,945,939.74

TOTAL 47,601,422.90

annual report 2013- 2014 - avani kumaonavani-kumaon.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/annual... · 3....

Documents