Crafting Europe - A manifesto for a European crafts strategy

World Crafts Council Europe

On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, the World Crafts Council Europe carried out a survey of its members in order to determine the current challenges of the sector. The results of this survey are at the origin of the Crafting Europe Manifesto and its intervention plan.

The members and partners of the World Crafts Council Europe represent millions of craft workshops and manufactures across Europe. Composed of hundreds of unique skills, artistic crafts are strong in their diversity. While textiles, fashion, ceramics, glass, metal, jewelry and wood are well-known fields, crafts are also rare and unique, linked to heritage, territory, culture and the tradition.

• Recognize the societal, heritage, cultural and economic contribution of fine crafts in Europe.
• Celebrate the diversity and creativity of the sector which values the connection of man with his environment and shows us the way forward for sustainable development in local economies.
• Provide tools and legislation favorable to the commercial development of the sector.
• Build the future of the sector by developing appropriate training ensuring transmission to younger generations.
• Stimulate all forms of innovation in order to support the development of fine crafts.
• Increase visibility and knowledge of the sector in order to promote, preserve and protect Europe’s fine crafts heritage passed down from generation to generation.

The Ateliers d’Art de France and the World Crafts Council Europe call on European institutions and national decision-makers to support the Crafting Europe Manifesto and to commit with us to carry and implement the six measures of its intervention plan to guarantee the survival and development of crafts for future generations.

https://www.ateliersdart.com/fichiers/Site_2019/CraftEurope_manifeste_BD.pdf