Arts and Crafts

Tibet has a long tradition of producing high-quality art and crafts. The speed of economic development and globalization has led to the effect that most tourist souvenirs on sale in Lhasa are now produced in other regions or abroad. Local village people and their handmade products cannot compete in larger markets, against industrial products. That means the initial impact of “development” will make them poorer. So they need to be given the opportunity to adapt either by picking up new skills, or by refining their traditional skills and their products to find a sustainable niche market.

Indicator: THF has identified a range of craft products in villages with running or planned restoration or water and sanitation projects, has done research on metal work, wood work, weaving, dyeing, paper making and leather work.