Within the first 10 months of the project, the pilot case partners have been preparing for the upcoming implementation and operationalisation of the pilot case experiments which will begin in month 13 under WP4. This preparation has taken place through local planning and research (WP1 & WP3); informative topical webinars (WP2); questionnaires (WP3 & WP4) and ecosystem and stakeholder analysis (WP2). Most significantly for this report, under WP3, a series of two workshops were held with the aim of conducting participatory reflections on the pilot cases.
The first workshop (Workshop 1) was organised locally by each pilot case partner and the stakeholders involved in each case, with the aim of identifying the various needs, expectations, opportunities and challenges in building traditional craft knowledge (TCK) and supporting the craft ecosystem(s) in which they operate.
The second workshop (Workshop 2) was organised in November 2023 by WCCE (World Crafts Council Europe) to bring together the pilot case local partners and the expert panel/helpdesk in order to reflect on the outcomes of Workshop 1 and support the local partners in refining the operational plans of their experiments, taking into account the outcomes of Workshop 1, expert guidance, inspiration from elsewhere (WP2) and legal and policy contexts at EU level.
Most specifically, Workshop 2 intended to support the pilot case partners in reflecting on their current practices in the broader context and how to enhance their societal and economic valuation. The outcomes which are presented in this report, will inform T4.1 (WP4) for development of the operational plans for each case.
Workshop 2 was organised by World Crafts Council Europe in collaboration with Waag FutureLab and took place in Florence, Italy, graciously hosted by project partners 'Artex' at their historical premises. The workshop was attended by over 30 participants including all 8 pilot case organisations; a panel of 9 advisors and experts and other involved project partners. Over two days, the group worked together through presentations, a panel talk, collaborative sessions, workshops and one-on-one conversations, with the aim of structuring and refining the way forward for the pilot cases as they begin their pilot operational plans.