Reimagining the Craft Economy Post Covid-19

Author: Shruti Singh - Head of Policy, Fashion Revolution India·16 Sep 2025

Topics

Creative Careers

Legal and Policy

Planning and Governance

Production and Stagecraft

Reporting and Evaluation

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the British Council in partnership with Fashion Revolution India, launched a report highlighting key recommendations focused on reimagining the craft economy post covid-19 gathering responses from artisans, designers, policymakers and consumers. Based on data and key insights collected from a survey, we release the report titled Reimagining the craft economy post Covid-19 which include key findings, case studies of resilience and innovations in action across the craft sector. We extend our gratitude to all those who contributed to the survey and to the report. Your insight has been extremely valuable in advocating and influencing the support required for the creative sector. The report responds to the UN Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development by providing opportunities, supporting inclusive growth, and promoting innovation.

Author: Shruti Singh – Head of Policy, Fashion Revolution India

Key Findings

The pandemic and lockdown forced the most vulnerable artisans to choose between safeguarding lives or livelihoods.It triggered mass exodus of artisans from cities to the villages, and 22% of the sector lost 75% of their annual income.
According to the survey of 50 craft organisations and artisans, 44% faced cancellation of orders by the buyers and delays in payments, 58% made new products during the pandemic, and 76% shared that their work was negatively impacted due to the pandemic.
Access to working capital and credit is largely through informal channels and money lenders at exorbitant interest rates.During the pandemic, 2% of the sector had accessed bank loans, and 1% had accessed government grants.