Workshop on “Importance of Upcycling & Creative Thinking”
An environmental & economic sustainability initiative for underprivileged women…

A workshop focused on the theme “Importance of Upcycling & Creative Thinking” was conducted by SETU for underprivileged women. The workshop was designed to highlight how upcycling can contribute to environmental conservation as well as also create opportunities for economic independence. Through creative thinking, the women were encouraged to see potential in waste items, thereby boosting their confidence and skills in product-making.

The workshop was conducted in urban slum area of Jaipur, at SETU’s Community Centre. A competition was held at the last day, to encourage creativity & innovative ideas amongst the women.

Objectives of the workshop were:

1. Introduce upcycling and its environmental significance.
2. Encourage creative thinking for repurposing waste materials.
3. Equip women with practical upcycling skills.
4. To empower women by improving their creative abilities and giving them a sense of accomplishment.
5. To promote sustainable practices that can lead to economic self-reliance.

Workshop Overview:

• Upcycling Basics: Participants learnt about upcycling, its environmental benefits, and real-world applications.
• Creative Thinking: The importance of seeing potential in discarded materials was emphasized.
• Hands-On Activities: Participants created items like jewellery, home décor, and bags from waste materials.
• Group Discussion: Reflection on the challenges and potential of upcycling in everyday life.

The workshop effectively empowered underprivileged women by teaching valuable upcycling skills and promoting creative thinking. The event successfully encouraged participants to view waste as a resource, creating potential for both environmental and economic benefits.

A total of 21 women participated in the workshop. Prizes were awarded to the best creative outcomes, along with distribution of sanitary napkin packets to encourage the participants.

Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. The best comment was: “This workshop has made me realize how creative I can be. I feel more confident in trying new things.”

We hope that the skills and ideas learnt by women will inspire long-term positive changes, both in their homes and communities.