Through the LI & SDG Action programme, Development Alternatives, in collaboration with LEDeG (Ladakh Ecological Development Group) and with the support of National Mission for Himalayan Studies, conducted a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on handicrafts in Alchi, Ladakh, under the project titled “Integrating Ecotourism, Waste Management, and Green Construction for Community Resilience and Livelihood Enhancement in the Indian Himalayan Region”.

Designed to strengthen local livelihoods, the training equipped 25 women with practical skills in both traditional and contemporary handicraft techniques using local sheep wool. Through hands-on sessions, participants learned to create a range of products, including keychains and souvenirs inspired by Ladakh’s cultural and natural heritage. This provided participants with an opportunity to enhance their technical skills while developing products that can appeal to both local and tourist markets.

In addition to craft production, the training programme covered essential business and entrepreneurship concepts such as branding, pricing, product positioning, and market integration. Participants were also introduced to market linkages and institutional support mechanisms to help them better understand how to market and sell their products.

As a ToT initiative, selected participants will serve as community trainers and further share their knowledge and skills with other women in Alchi. By strengthening local handicraft enterprises and promoting locally made products for visitors, the project aims to contribute to both livelihood enhancement and ecotourism development in the region. The initiative will continue with a similar handicraft training programme for participants from Markha.