The impact of industrialization on traditional artisans, particularly leather craftsmen in the Chamar caste, has led to a decline in their livelihoods, facing stiff competition from multinational companies. Despite the CSR Act of 2013 mandating companies to allocate 2% of profits to CSR activities, major Indian footwear brands focus on education, health, and the environment, neglecting the upliftment of cobblers. To address these challenges, various central and state-level schemes, skill development institutes, and startups like “Shoe Drop” and “Indosole” have innovated in the footwear industry. Internationally, Nike and Adidas prioritize sustainability, using recycled materials, and combating pollution. This need assessment study delves into the socio-economic conditions of the cobbler community in India, aiming to shed light on their challenges and propose solutions to enhance living standards. The descriptive study gathers detailed quantitative and qualitative data through individual interviews and FGD involving 30 cobblers, 10 vendors, and 5 NGOs. Key findings reveal that women in the cobbler community are primarily housewives, suggesting the creation of women’s SHGs to encourage small-scale businesses. The community’s low-saving culture can be improved through financial management sessions, addressing the lack of awareness about government schemes through awareness sessions. Encouraging children to enroll in government-offered courses, redesigning kachcha workstations, and linking cobblers to existing government schemes, microfinance institutions, and low-interest loans from banks can further enhance their socio-economic conditions and minimize dependency on vendors.