Table tennis has become more than a sport in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh; it has become a tool for connection, education, and empowerment. Partnering with schools in the rural states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, Tanjun Associate, a social enterprise, has created inclusive spaces for learning and engagement. These schools serve as community hubs, hosting training sessions that integrate sport with hands-on skills development and environmental awareness.
So far, four major training programmes have been rolled out, drawing more than 200 participants—80% of whom are women. These sessions blend the excitement of table tennis with workshops on crafting sustainable sports gear from bamboo, jute, and other natural materials. Participants also explore topics such as waste reduction, forest conservation, and regenerative farming practices.
Empowering Women Through Green Livelihoods
At the heart of the project is a clear goal: equip marginalised women with sustainable livelihoods. Many of these women come from communities historically sidelined by caste and gender bias, and whose economic stability is deeply tied to agriculture. By offering them the opportunity to learn new, marketable skills—such as making eco-friendly sports equipment—Tanjun is fostering self-reliance and financial independence.
As demand for sustainable products grows, Tanjun is helping these women tap into an emerging green economy. The long-term vision includes scaling production and providing training to more women, turning local craftsmanship into a viable and environmentally responsible business model.
Innovation Powered by Collaboration
Tanjun’s ability to scale and innovate has been significantly boosted by its involvement with the Olympism365 Innovation Hub, a programme by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Beyond Sport, and Women Win. As one of nine selected social enterprises, Tanjun received critical co-investment funding and joined a global network of changemakers harnessing sport for sustainable development.
With this support, the team has expanded its research and production capabilities. They’ve developed hand-woven jute nets and are progressing toward a fully bamboo-based table tennis table. Prototypes for other sports—including badminton, volleyball, and football—are already in the works, reinforcing the project’s commitment to both environmental and social impact.
Turning Climate Challenges into Community Solutions
This initiative unfolds in a region under direct threat from climate change. The Himalayas, often called the “oxygen bank” of northern India, face deforestation, melting glaciers, and intensifying monsoon events. Here, development must take a climate-conscious approach. Tanjun embeds principles of the circular economy to ensure their work protects rather than exploits the local ecosystem.
By working directly with at-risk communities, Tanjun enables them to become stewards of their environment. Through sport, women are not only gaining confidence and new skills—they’re also becoming vocal advocates for sustainable living and climate action.
Global Platforms for Local Impact
Tanjun’s work will be showcased at the Olympism365 Summit: Sport for a Better World, taking place in Lausanne in June 2025. The summit brings together global leaders from sport, development, and civil society to accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative partnerships.
For Tanjun, this global stage offers the opportunity to learn from other pioneering projects, form new collaborations, and share its model of change—one that blends tradition with transformation, and sport with sustainability.
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