Craft ecosystems
About Craft ecosystems in Europe
HEPHAESTUS aims to fuse cutting-edge technologies with traditional craftsmanship, co-creating sustainable solutions in tools, methodologies, and business models for the future of European craft ecosystems. The project will test these solutions in a Green Living Lab on Bornholm, a Danish Island, and World Craft Region. The ultimate goal is to establish a network involving heritage sites, cultural sectors, institutions, authorities, enterprises, and stakeholders, ensuring the project’s long-lasting impact by adapting and deploying its outcomes across various craft ecosystems.
Bornholm, Denmark
Venice, Italy
Bassano del Grappa, Italy
Dals Langed & Fengersfors, Sweden
Why these ecosystems?
The four craft ecosystems were chosen due to their strong presence of craft communities (in the Unesco definition) and unique characteristics. Bassano del Grappa has a century-long tradition of creative craft that has shaped its local economy. Venice is a globally renowned heritage city where craft plays a central role in attracting tourists and preserving communities. The island of Bornholm has made strategic choices to include craft in highly ambitious goals of converting to a fully circular economy territory. Finally, Dals Langed showcases distinctive embodiments of craft practices within educational institutions and local communities in a remote environment.
Bornholm
Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, with a population of around 39,000, is a popular tourist destination drawing over 500,000 visitors yearly, driving a thriving tourism-based economy.
Dals Langed and Fengersfors
Dals Långed and Fengersfors, located in the scenic Dalsland region of Västra Götaland County in West Sweden, are two towns situated about 20 km apart along a lake.
Bassano del Grappa
The artisanal ecosystem in Bassano del Grappa thrives across the city and neighboring municipalities, fostering enduring relationships.
Venice
Venice spans across 118 small islands, it is a remarkable architectural marvel, with even the tiniest structures housing masterpieces by some of the world’s most renowned artists.