2-Apr-2025

Bamboo Futures: Rural Empowerment through Sustainable Innovation

About the Project

On 1st April 2025, Phoenix Foundation Sanstha and the IoFE, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, ISB entered into a strategic partnership to foster a women-led, community-based bamboo economy in rural Maharashtra.

This collaboration is rooted in a shared vision of creating sustainable and inclusive livelihood opportunities for forest-dependent communities by leveraging bamboo as both an ecological and economic resource.

This MoU marks the beginning of a meaningful collaboration aimed at not just economic transformation, but also social and ecological resilience. Together, Phoenix Foundation Sanstha and the Initiative on the Forest Economy, ISB are building a new vision for rural India—one rooted in dignity, sustainability, and local leadership.

The partnership is focused on enabling communities, especially women, to take ownership of bamboo-based enterprises. By supporting the establishment of village-level institutions and producer companies, the initiative aims to develop models that are locally owned, environmentally sustainable, and socially empowering. It also seeks to strengthen Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights and ensure that local people benefit directly from the forests they conserve and manage.

Community Empowerment

To ensure that communities have access to the tools and support they need, IoFE will provide technical expertise, policy guidance, and project management support through its field-based teams. Phoenix Foundation Sanstha will continue to lead on-the-ground implementation, community mobilization, and liaison with local government bodies. This partnership will also coordinate with other institutions, NGOs, and stakeholders working on bamboo livelihoods to create a more collaborative ecosystem.

Implementation Framework

Over the course of two years, the initiative will develop, test, and scale innovative models that demonstrate how bamboo can be a driver of rural prosperity. Through regular reviews and continuous learning, the partnership will adapt and evolve to ensure impact at both the grassroots and policy levels.

Two-Year Roadmap