The project

Transforming the transmission of traditional crafts knowledge

Tracks4Crafts examines and transforms the transmission of traditional crafts knowledge (TCK) to enhance the societal and economic valuation of crafts and align them with a future-oriented heritage approach in Europe

Explore the four tracks
4 tracks

From craft knowledge to lasting impact

Transforming crafts knowledge for a sustainable, inclusive and economically viable heritage in Europe

01
Learning

Tracks4Training

New/improved learning clusters & training formats for transmitting traditional crafts Knowledge

02
Technology

Tracks4Tech

Use of tools to combine traditional know-how with new technology

03
Value creation

Tracks4Markets

Develop business modelling tools & certification labels of traditional crafts knowledge

04
Collaboration

EUnite4Tracks

Boost craft potential in ecosystem

Together, the four tracks connect learning, technology, entrepreneurship and ecosystem collaboration.

Explore project impact
Project approach

From knowledge transmission to societal impact

Tracks4Crafts combines research, experimentation and multi-stakeholder collaboration to strengthen traditional crafts knowledge as a resource for innovation, sustainability and quality of life across Europe.

The challenge

Unlocking the potential of traditional crafts knowledge

Tracks4Crafts examines and transforms the transmission of traditional crafts knowledge (TCK) to enhance the societal and economic value of crafts and support a future-oriented heritage approach in Europe.

As intangible cultural heritage (ICH), crafts and TCK can be seen as resources for competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable development and quality of life, contributing to SDG 4, 8 and 11.

Yet the tools, formats and instruments needed to foster the transmission and employment of TCK are lagging behind, which hampers the full development of its potential. Our objectives are to enhance and transform the transmission of TCK for a more effective economic as well as societal valuation of crafts.

How we work

Four connected areas of transformation

  • Transform learning processes in physical spaces where craftspeople collaborate, including fab labs and maker spaces.
  • Develop digital technologies that enhance and transform the transmission of traditional crafts knowledge.
  • Create business-modelling, certification and property protection tools that strengthen the value of crafts knowledge.
  • Build networks that disseminate the societal and economic value of traditional crafts knowledge across Europe.
Experimentation

Testing solutions in eight craft ecosystems

The output is based on experiments in 8 craft ecosystems in which we develop and test formats for learning and tools for certification and validation in which

01 the economic and cultural barriers related to traditional TCK-transmission are addressed (i.a. the lengthy nature of learning, the fear of the craft getting lost…)
02 the full potential of technology is tapped (i.a. for turning embodied TCK in open-source knowledge)

To ensure that the solutions bridge the heritage perspective and the economic and societal needs and that our solutions are shared and transferable, our approach is deeply interdisciplinary and based on processes of multi-stakeholder co-creation (including action research).