South Asia Foundation (SAF) was formed in 1991, with a group of like-minded people working towards the improvement of the underprivileged and providing logistical support for the development of crafts people with the aim to create a sustainable model of development that is artisan-led. Thus, at the grass roots level, the Foundation is an experiment in idealism, working for the promotion of the rural artisans, the cultural environment and the economy of South Asia, to transform this region into a land of peace and opportunity. |
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The Foundation believes in the power of ideas and the strength and creativity of the common people. It seeks to create a network of people in the region and channelises its energies towards building a South Asia free from prejudice and bitterness.
SAF plays a unique role whereby it creates successful new models and avenues of action to address the various problems in the area – all through the interactive approach. It would be quite right to state that it is a catalytic set-up to create a network through the forging of ‘people-to-people’ ties for larger community participation.
SAF’s Thrust Areas:
- Artisan-based income generation programmes with special emphasis on women.
- Providing logistical support to organisations working on environment issues.
- Policy planning and advocacy on an artisan-led sustainable model of development.
- Financial, managerial and marketing support to artisans.
- Setting up of craft development centres and craft-based vocational training institutes.
- Conflict resolution and building international relations.
- Research and documentation on the traditional arts and crafts of the region.
- Dissemination of information and publishing of books and informative literature on – ethnicity management, panchayati raj, microcredit-based economy, arts and crafts, development and governance, and strengthening of civil institutions.
- Making of issue-based films.
SAF’s Mode of Operation
The Foundation works at three levels:
- It promotes and preserves traditional arts and crafts at the grass roots level.
- It mobilises artists, activists and intellectuals to reunite the common South Asian cultural heritage.
- It brings together statesmen and political leaders from the region for greater interaction at a people-to-people level.
SAF’s Vision
‘To Weave Nations Together and Rekindle the Spirit of Humaneness and Oneness.’
SAF’s Mission
- Women Empowerment
- Health and Environment
- Finding Solutions to Poverty
- Conflict Resolution and Building International Relations
- Promoting and Preserving the Arts and Crafts of the Region
South Asia Foundation is established in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with headquarters at New Delhi.
