Tara Projects

TARA Projects stands for “Trade Alternative Reform Action.” Working in a 125-mile radius of Delhi, TARA is a fair trade program for community development and business. The organization enables hundreds of artisans who create some of the major handicraft lines of North India to sell their products internationally. TARA is one of the pioneering Indian organizations in the field of fair wages, nonformal education programs for children and women, health and environmental awareness and further development for its member artisans. Artisan benefits from TARA include medical insurance, interest-free loans and advances, a savings program and skills training.

TARA Projects was established in 1973 to defend the rights of the poor. Beginning in Delhi, the organization expanded to adjoining states of North India, working to eliminate unfair trade practices and child labor, fighting exploitation of artisans and supporting fair trade and human dignity. TARA Projects, one of the largest fair trade organizations in India, is a member of Fair Trade Forum India and the International Fair Trade Association.

Ten Thousand Villages purchases soapstone products, metal and glass objects, holiday ornaments, jewelry, beaded purses, Rajasthani puppets and hand-loomed textiles from TARA Projects. Ten Thousand Villages has purchased products from TARA since 1986.