Samva collective

Bengaluru Santhe: A Marketplace for Rural Artisans in the Heart of the City

KSRLPS – Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society

Bengaluru, Karnataka

The challenge

Karnataka’s rural artisans and women-led self-help groups (SHGs) have long struggled to access urban markets. Despite producing authentic, high-quality crafts and sustainable goods, they faced barriers in visibility, distribution, and consumer reach. A physical, high-footfall platform in Bengaluru was needed to connect these enterprises directly with buyers and create sustainable livelihoods.

Our Role

Samva Collective’s founder team undertook a comprehensive design intervention to revitalise Bengaluru Santhe. From reimagining the site layout and renovating stalls to setting up market walkways, landscaping, and visual merchandising, the team created a marketplace environment fully prepared for launch and long-term functioning.

What We Did

Marketplace Setup

Designed and renovated a centrally located, culturally rich marketplace showcasing products from rural artisans and SHGs across Karnataka.

Sustainability & Inclusivity

Ensured eco-friendly materials, women-led vendor participation, and accessibility for diverse micro-enterprises

Rural-Urban Linkages

Recommended curation of vendor stalls representing multiple crafts and regions, creating direct linkages between rural entrepreneurs and Bengaluru’s urban consumer base.

Impact and Vision

50,000+

women entrepreneurs projected to be impacted long-term

A permanent hub for artisan empowerment and economic upliftment

Revitalising traditional crafts and cultural heritage within an urban market

Looking Ahead

Bengaluru Santhe is more than a marketplace. It is a movement to bring rural Karnataka’s creativity into the heart of the city sustainably, inclusively, and with long-term growth in mind.

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