\nThe Persian Garden Institute for Living Heritage (PGILH) is a non-governmental body which has as its primary purpose to contribute to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in Iran and Western and Central Asia and to the implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2003) both at the national and international levels. It aims to achieve this through research activities and projects, inventorying and documentation projects, capacity-building (in Iran and the region), developing files for international inscription, promotional activities, heritage needs assessment (tangible and intangible), providing stewardship services for museums and memory institutions, researching and promoting handicrafts, developing culturally-appropriate and sustainable tourism, translating, and publishing specialized texts, providing legal and policy consultation services, and providing other expert services in the field of cultural heritage.

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) was launched in July 2007 to promote understanding of Laos’ ethnic diversity and advocate for the survival and transmission of Laotian cultural heritage. It is the only independent museum and cultural heritage center in Laos dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of the traditional arts and lifestyles of the country’s ethnic groups.\nCurrently, the Centre features exhibits, two brick-and-mortar fair trade shops with handicrafts produced by rural artisans, a small library, café, and kids’ activity area. The Centre received over 27,000 visitors in 2017 and has rapidly emerged as a regional leader in cultural heritage management and community development.\nAs an independent organization, TAEC receives no funding from the government. The Centre was started with seed money from private donors and two foundations. Now, the Centre’s admission fees, tourist-related services, and café and shop income cover day-to-day running costs, and the organization operates as a social enterprise, with all profits invested towards its mission.

Khamir was established in 2005 as a joint initiative of Kachchh Nav Nirman Abhiyan and the Nehru Foundation for Development to strengthen and promote the rich artisanal traditions of Kachchh district. The name ‘Khamir’ means ‘intrinsic pride’ in local language and it stands for Kachchh Heritage, Art, Music, Information and Resources. The organizational aim is to provide a platform for the promotion of traditional handicrafts and allied cultural practices, the processes involved in their creation, and the preservation of culture, community and local environments. Also a common roof of a democratic and empowering space has been created, where a range of stakeholders can exchange their ideas and collaborate. The organization works on shift consumer perspectives and raises the cultural value placed on crafts to establish a vibrant, sustainable Indian craft sector in which crafts and artisans alike are highly valued by people worldwide.

Azerbaijani Carpet Makers Union (ACMU) was founded to promote the revival of the carpet-weaving heritage of Azerbaijan and to support weavers’ communities. For carpets, which are not only handicrafts for utilitarian purposes but also reflect Azerbaijani lifestyles, ACMU puts efforts toward safeguarding the traditional weaving technologies.

Mahaguthi is a nonprofit handicraft producer, wholesaler, retailer and exporter that support Nepali traditional crafts communities and a community social service organisation. Mahaguthi markets the handicrafts of more than 1,000 Nepali artisans working in 150 workshops. Most of the artisans are from remote and mountainous areas; among them 85 percent are women who use traditional craft skills while working in their own home. Mahaguthi's focus is to promote the well-being of artisans, to provide employment and to embrace and promote the principles of fair trade. Artisans receive medical and education allowances, paid leave and maternity leave.

Maldives Authentic Crafts Cooperative Society (MACCS) is a handicraft cooperative, developing and marketing authentic handicraft items of the rural artisans. Based in the capital Malé, MACCS was founded by a group of women to assist and promote the development of the local handicrafts industry. Registered in 2011, MACCS promotes local arts and crafts and facilitates market access for local products. MACCS is committed, through its cooperative, to support & educate local communities in the revival of handicrafts and thereby make it a sustainable livelihood activity.

Prokritee, established in 2001, is a Not-for-Profit Company manufacturing and exporting handicrafts. The organisation is committed to moral and social values and supports over 1,500 artisans in rural areas. For the products they use recycled materials such as used sari, waste jute, silk, handmade paper, natural fibers and leaves. They are winners of the WFTO Mohammed Islam Design Award 2015 for our Paper Christmas tree ornament made out of water-hyacinth and handmade paper. The products produced by the artisans are sold in Bangladesh and exported to many countries around the world. Prokritee and its enterprises provide jobs for marginalized rural women; thus improves women’s standard of living and helps them send their children to school. The organisation provides skill development training to artisans. Prokritee creates and promotes income generating projects that benefit the artisans in marginalized situations and adheres to good safety and environmental standards, and have the potential to become self–reliant. The initiatives of Prokritee have a huge impact on social inclusion as well. Some examples are the Hajiganj Handicrafts Crochet Unit (set up in 2006 to support Bihari families who had to flee their homes, during the partition of Bengal), Sacred Mark Enterprises (set up for alternative employment of former sex workers) and Biborton Handmade Paper (set up in Barishal district which is a disadvantaged and vulnerable area). Prokritee also works with the ethnic minority groups like the Santhals in Rajshahi district and some indigenous groups in the Hill Tracks of Chittagong, Bandarban and Rangamati.