Support a grassroots women's empowerment initiative  that looks after the environment through waste paper recycling in the slums  

We are thrilled to launch a new women’s empowerment program that is not only sustainable but also good for the environment. 

Naya is a new innovative, grassroots paper recycling initiative aimed at empowering women to improve their community environment in the Mumbai slum of Kalwa. Naya, which means “new” in Hindi and which is run and implemented by women in the slums under GPM supervision, takes waste paper and turns it into paper products such as notepads, printing paper, coasters. The women employed in the initiative are locally trained in recycling waste paper and creating beautiful new pieces using imagination and skill.   Sales of these products will support the initiative, as well as develop facilities and awareness around waste and recycling within the slum. The recycled-paper products are sold to local offices, hotels and businesses.

The project, launched on 10 August 2016,  supports the community, cleans up the area, and promotes eco-friendly business. It is a sustainable social enterprise, empowering local women who also become ambassadors for recycling and cleanliness in the slum, improving the lives of the 200,000 people currently living in Kalwa. 

The program was developed by Pears-JDC fellow Adit Goshalk from the UK.

GPM received initial funding from Paperback (a London-based, recycled paper supplier) to start the

At the Naya launch, 10 August 2016 with GPM staff,  representatives of  JDC India and Naya employees project and has already received three small orders for products from a hotel and local businesses. However, we need your help to get Naya fully sustainable by the end of 2018. 

The program costs only about $450/month [Total: $8,500] Please help support Naya by donating here: