Ideas powering a greener future

"We quickly realized that these creations had genuine commercial value — people wanted to buy them on the spot," said Zhang Shufeng, founder of the brand. The competition also sparked lively discussion among locals, she noted, because these skills had been passed down from their parents.

"We saw this as an opportunity to unlock the internal drive for sustainable development within the community, rather than continuing to rely on top-down policy support," she said.

The county subsequently established the brand and a development association. Winners of the competition are paired with designers to create products that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern design. These products are sold at a government-funded exhibition hall and an official online store.

The brand now works with 209 herders and farmers from 91 villages across the county's 17 townships.

One standout artisan, Tenzin, teamed up with a graduate from the University of the Arts London to create his own line of handmade leather bags. Priced at over 1,000 yuan ($147.5) each, the bags earned him an extra income of 100,000 yuan last year.

"What we mean by 'folk art' is not merely traditional crafts, but the art of everyday life — the way local people have lived in harmony with nature for generations," said Zhang.

"We hope to leverage market forces to ensure these traditions are passed down sustainably and to help more people appreciate the wisdom behind them."

SPARK Selected is part of the broader SPARK Sustainable Collective Initiative, a platform linking innovation, sustainable lifestyles, and community participation, which also features a sustainable lifestyle fair and a night market for local residents.

Together, these activities aim to bring sustainable development out of policy discussions and into everyday urban life, while giving greater visibility to local innovations with global relevance that support the achievement of the SDGs.

Contact the writer at pengchao@chinadaily.com.cn