News

Label STEP, M2 Rugs, and the Nepali Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NCMEA) recently traveled to Nepal’s Upper Mustang region to explore local wool production. By connecting with semi-nomadic herders, they aim to support the region’s wool industry, keep traditions alive, and integrate local materials into handmade carpets.

As climate-related risks like floods and heatwaves rise, and with Nepal’s history of major earthquakes, STEP’s training on first aid, fire safety, and earthquake preparedness is strengthening our network’s local resilience, ensuring workers are equipped to handle emergencies and stay safe.

STEP is excited to have its work featured and acknowledged in the renowned academic publication, the Journal of Fair Trade. In the article “Learning to Weave Through a Digital App: Women’s Empowerment in Artisan Villages of Nepal,” Prasuna Saakha and Dr. Roberta Discetti explore how STEP’s Artisan Villages use

In the wake of devastating floods in Nepal, STEP swiftly mobilized to support affected weavers by assessing damage and distributing essential supplies, including bedding and food. With many families displaced, these relief efforts are crucial for the community's recovery during this challenging time.

Recent efforts by STEP Nepal interns focused on advancing menstrual health and hygiene among female weavers in the handmade rug industry.

In the four years since its launch, the Artisan Villages partnership between Label STEP and UKaid SEP has made significant strides toward revitalizing Nepal’s weaving industry by supporting enterprise and skill development in rural communities. The remarkable achievements of this collaboration were showcased to British Ambassador Rob Fenn late