The project Young Craft Booster (YCB) has just been awarded European co-funding for the period December 2023 - November 2026. For Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte and its partners, Asociación Contemporánea de Artes y Oficios from Spain and Design & Crafts Council Ireland from Ireland, this marks the beginning of an ambitious three-year initiative dedicated to strengthening the future of European craftsmanship.
Across Europe, extraordinary artisanal knowledge continues to thrive in workshops and studios, yet the transmission of these skills from one generation to the next is increasingly fragile. Many master craftspeople struggle to identify successors, while young people who aspire to work in craft often face structural barriers when entering the profession. YCB is designed to respond to this challenge by creating concrete pathways into the sector and reinforcing its long-term sustainability.
Over the course of three years, fifteen master craftspeople and fifteen young talents from Italy, Spain and Ireland will form fifteen duos. Each young participant will undertake a six-month apprenticeship alongside a master in their workshop, gaining direct, hands-on experience and learning techniques that can only be transmitted through daily practice.
Practical training will be complemented by a theoretical capacity-building course dedicated to professional development and entrepreneurship. Through seminars and lectures specifically designed for the craft sector in partnership with renowned academic institutions, participants will explore topics such as business planning, communication strategies and market positioning. A multilingual e-learning platform will provide additional training resources, extending the educational dimension of the project beyond the classroom.
Community activities, both online and in person, will foster exchange among participants and encourage the creation of a transnational network of artisans. By connecting masters and young talents across borders, YCB reinforces the European dimension of craft and promotes collaboration.
The initiative is implemented in partnership with Asociación Contemporánea de Artes y Oficios (ACAO) in Spain and Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), both committed to supporting and promoting the craft sector at national level. ACAO works to safeguard traditional and contemporary Spanish craftsmanship, fostering its role in cultural development and local economies. DCCI, the national agency for craft and design in Ireland, supports makers in developing sustainable businesses and promotes the social and economic value of craft through advocacy, training and sector development.
The project also benefits from the in-kind support of the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, contributing international visibility, an extended professional network and expertise in monitoring activities.
With Young Craft Booster now officially launched, the project sets out to invest in talent, strengthen workshops and ensure that Europe’s artisanal heritage continues not only to endure, but to evolve.
