The Network of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (NEED) brings together underprivileged communities with teams of activists in order to maximize human resource potential and create positive change in their socio-economic and political environment. This is achieved through:

• Mainstreaming Gender Issues

• Micro-Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Skills Development

• Women’s and Children’s Health, including Water and Sanitation

• Rural Asset Management, including Natural Resources

• Capacity Building Development in Locally Specific Resource Groups

• Networking Towards Grassroots Activism and Global Change

• Service driven Micro-Finance supports to groups

Shakti is a unique collection of products, handcrafted by women from NEED producer groups. Traditional techniques and natural materials are blended with new design ideas to create beautiful, functional and eco-friendly products - whilst helping to generate sustainable livelihoods in one of the world’s poorest regions. NEED is a member of the International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT), the Fair Trade Federation US and the Indian Fair Trade Forum (IFTF).