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Design for Sustainable Development Foundation (DFSD)
Empowering Livelihoods. Elevating Communities. Through Design.
Since 2009, DFSD has been using the power of design to spark real change in rural Sri Lanka. We go beyond charity—we enable. We don’t just teach skills—we create sustainable livelihoods. Through craft, creativity, and community partnerships, we’re building a new model of economic empowerment—led by women, rooted in tradition, and driven by design.
Sri Lanka is rich in cultural traditions throughout the country, where different skills and crafts were historically created depending on local resources at hand. Today, these artisans continue those traditions, enhanced with new designs created by students from AOD, the Academy of Design in Colombo. This short video provides a tour around Sri Lanka visiting artisans in various regions of the country where DFSD provides its support.
The map below highlights the key regions featured in the video — each marked area represents a unique artisan community supported by DFSD, showcasing the island's diverse and deeply rooted craft traditions.
Empowering Livelihoods. Elevating Communities. Through Design.
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