Weaving nature into women’s livelihoods
Nepal Knotcraft Centre (NKC) is a social enterprise founded in 1984 by Mrs. Shyam Badan Shrestha. It is a pioneering manufacturer of unique macramé crafts, recycled wood items and natural fiber products. We take our inspiration from the rich natural and cultural beauty of Nepal and strive to build our products on traditional skills and knowledge. Our products represent a celebration of the immense natural fibers and grasses native to the country. Our goal is to provide you with products that embody the beauty and talent of Nepal and we trust we have accomplished in showcasing the wonders of natural plant fibers.
Our Partnership with Women
NKC is committed to partnering with women across Nepal in an effort to create sustainable livelihood opportunities, enhance their sense of empowerment and opportunity. We employ hundreds of women from various Nepali ethnic groups, and target women coming from socially and economically deprived communities. As a centre we have organized and conducted various trainings across remote regions of Nepal. We have helped women to build on traditional skills that have guided them in producing marketable products using the readily available materials in their area. We take pride in successfully aiding women to develop new enterprises to enhance their skills and strive for empowerment over their own companies.
Working Areas
Research and Design
NKC strives to continually design and research unique uses for natural plant fibers through exploring and testing over 40 different varieties of plants across Nepal in order to ensure our products remain creative, relevant and purposeful.
Sustainable Usage of Raw Materials
NKC uses a number of plant fibers that are collected sustainably, and treated with the preservative in order to ensure the beauty and longevity of all our products. Support in the plantation, collection and processing methods ensures future growth and harvest of the crop and promotes the continual usage of raw materials in handicrafts. (Value addition to the otherwise wasted raw materials)
Preservation of Indigenous Heritage
An important task of NKC is to uphold the local weaving culture of Nepal as a means to conserve important traditions and promote the usage of raw materials while celebrating the indigenous skills and knowledge of Nepal. All our products are handcrafted in Nepal and we strive to maintain a close connection to traditional techniques of knotting, weaving and coiling.
Supporting Employment Opportunities
NKC is committed to partnering with women and marginalized groups across Nepal in order to create employment opportunities to sustain their livelihoods. We have provided stable and equitable sources of income for these individuals while also enhancing their sense of empowerment and opportunity.
Establishing Enterprises
We believe in promoting collaboration between traditional and contemporary creative skills-based enterprises for trained artisans to grow in ability and expand in knowledge. As a centre we have organized and conducted various trainings across remote regions of Nepal that have helped women to build on traditional skills and have guided them in producing marketable products, using the readily available materials in their area.
Corporate Social Responsibility
NKC extends its commitment being socially responsible by offering educational scholarships to young girls from vulnerable families within the communities we work with. We believe that by providing opportunities to knowledge and skills, women and young girls will become empowered to strengthen capacity building within their communities. The value of accessing resources and education is an important undertaking for the centre. Technical arrangements such as tools and equipment are supported through the necessary resources and monetary funds are arranged by NKC.