Hand in Hand, TN requested CCI to assist in upgrading the livelihood opportunities of the affiliated Self Help Groups (SHGs) working in the area of handicrafts. After a review of ten SHGs, CCI proposed to conduct a series of workshops for skill and product up-gradation for five SHGs with the help of a designer. This would be followed by guiding the SHGs in market opportunities. The SHG included were those working with bead work with twisted wire, woollen crochet items, batik, tie and dye, block and embossed printing

In June 2011, product design and development workshops were conducted with a focus on recycled and low cost materials in two locations. In Chengam, Tamilnadu, workshop was on low cost jewellery using paper beads and twisted wire. In Villiannur, Pondicherry, the focus was on crochet as well as tie-dye textiles.