By Herman Bashiron Mendolicchio, María Cristina Ortega & Arkaitz Celaá. ECBN and 3Walks
The cultural and creative industries (CCIs) are increasingly recognized as key actors in Europe’s green, digital, and social transitions. Yet, while the demand for new competencies is rapidly growing, a persistent skills gap continues to challenge the sector. Many artists, craftspeople, and small creative businesses struggle to access the training, tools, and communities they need to adapt to these shifts. The CRAFT-IT4SD project has been tackling this gap head-on by combining research, experimentation, and collaboration to support a new generation of makers prepared for a sustainable, inclusive, and digital future.
From identifying needs to bridging the gap
Previous discussions within the project highlighted how green, social, and digital skills are no longer optional but central to creative practice. From sustainable material sourcing and eco-impact tracking to digital collaboration platforms and community-based engagement strategies, these skills are transforming how creative work is produced and shared. The challenge now is not only to recognize their importance but to ensure that practitioners—often working in small studios or micro-enterprises—can actually acquire and apply them.
CRAFT-IT4SD responds to this by investigating the specific needs of the craft and fashion sectors, while also situating them within the wider CCI ecosystem. By doing so, the project acknowledges both the unique challenges of artisans and makers and the transversal competences that will define the future of work.
Pilots and playbooks: learning by doing
One of the most tangible contributions of the project so far has been the creation of pilot ecosystems across partner countries. These pilots serve as living laboratories where sustainable practices, social engagement models, and technological and digital innovations are tested in real-world settings. For example, local workshops have experimented with integrating circular economy principles into fashion production, while others have focused on digital storytelling techniques to broaden market access for crafts.
To ensure that these insights are not limited to isolated cases, the project has also produced method playbooks and learning lab summaries. These resources distill lessons learned into practical guidelines, offering step-by-step pathways for artists and makers who want to integrate new practices into their work. By combining hands-on experimentation with structured knowledge transfer, CRAFT-IT4SD makes upskilling more accessible and relevant.
Bridging the gap through innovation and ecosystems
While training is essential, bridging the skills gap also requires experimentation with new methods and technologies that can inspire creatives to rethink their practice. Several recent project initiatives provide valuable insights into how this can be achieved.
In Finland, a pilot combined material innovation with digital design by transforming fish leather and recycled fishing nets into new fashion prototypes. These garments were then digitized into virtual twins, allowing makers to experiment with hybrid workflows that link sustainable materials with digital prototyping. This not only reduced waste but also provided artisans with hands-on experience in merging ecological awareness with digital fluency—two skill sets often seen as separate.
In parallel, the AI Rocket framework has introduced a structured way for micro-companies and students to approach generative AI. Rather than treating AI as a ready-made solution, participants were guided through iterative phases—problem definition, co-creation, and validation. The process helped demystify AI, highlighting its potential as a creative partner when used responsibly. In this way, digital skills are developed not in isolation but alongside critical thinking and reflective practice.
Finally, the creation of Learning Ecosystems in different partner regions has proven essential in anchoring skills development within broader communities. By engaging students, SMEs, designers, technologists, and cultural institutions in collaborative workshops, the project fosters an environment where knowledge is co-created and exchanged. This approach shows that bridging the skills gap is not simply about delivering training modules but about building communities of practice where collective experimentation drives transformation.
Supporting evidence from the wider craft sector
The challenges and opportunities identified by CRAFT-IT4SD resonate with broader European initiatives. The Cedefop report (2023) on handicraft and printing workers points to the dual challenge of technological change and demographic shifts, highlighting the urgent need for structured upskilling and reskilling pathways. Similarly, the European Crafts Alliance (2025) emphasizes that resilience in the craft sector requires not only new business and technical skills but also better recognition and support for traditional practices.
The CHARTER Alliance project (2021–2024) further strengthens this picture by providing a sectoral skills strategy for cultural heritage professionals. Its recommendations underline the importance of transversal competencies—particularly in sustainability, digitalization, and entrepreneurship—while also addressing the challenges faced by traditional craft skills. CHARTER’s work on innovative education pathways, micro-credentials, and recognition of informal learning demonstrates how systemic approaches can help bridge the skills gap across Europe’s cultural and creative fields.
Together, these initiatives confirm that the issues addressed by CRAFT-IT4SD are not isolated but part of a wider movement to ensure the craft and creative sectors remain vibrant, sustainable, and future-oriented.
Building a learning community
Beyond technical training, bridging the skills gap also means fostering a sense of community and shared learning. The project emphasizes peer-to-peer exchange, bringing together artists, researchers, educators, and entrepreneurs. This collaborative approach not only accelerates the transfer of knowledge but also creates the social fabric necessary to sustain long-term change.
Workshops, transnational labs, and networking activities have shown how social engagement itself is a skill—one that helps creatives co-design solutions with communities, build stronger value chains, and connect their practice to broader societal goals. In this way, bridging the skills gap becomes not only a matter of providing training but also of cultivating networks of practice where innovation is collective.
Toward a sustainable, inclusive, and digital future
The results of CRAFT-IT4SD to date underline that the skills gap cannot be bridged through isolated interventions. What is required is a holistic approach: combining sustainability literacy, digital fluency, and social responsiveness, while embedding them in the daily practices of creatives. The project demonstrates how this can be achieved through experimentation, knowledge sharing, and community building.
Looking ahead, the lessons emerging from CRAFT-IT4SD point to a future where artists and makers are not passive recipients of policy agendas but active agents of transformation. Equipped with the right skills and supported by collaborative infrastructures, they can lead the way in shaping a CCI sector that is both resilient and forward-looking. By bridging the skills gap, we are not only safeguarding the viability of traditional crafts and creative professions but also ensuring their relevance in the transition to a greener, fairer, and more digitally connected society.
References
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Bashiron Mendolicchio, H. B., Ortega, M. C., & Celaá Angulo, A. (2025, May 5). Empowering the future: Up- and re-skilling in emerging crafts and creative professions for the triple transition. CRAFT-IT4SD. Retrieved from https://craft-it4sd.eu/empowering-the-future-up-and-re-skilling-in-emerging-crafts-and-creative-professions-for-the-triple-transition/
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