photo: Sadhbh Mowlds
Crafting Europe Manifesto 2025
A renewed vision and action plan for the future of European crafts
The Crafting Europe Manifesto 2025 was officially launched on 22 May 2025 at Révélations, the International Biennial of Fine Craft and Creation, held at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, in the presence of representatives of crafts organisations, craftspeople, stakeholders, as well as decision and policy makers from all over Europe.
In response to a rapidly evolving cultural and economic landscape, the European Crafts Alliance (ECA), a network of 38 crafts organisations from 23 European countries, is issuing a renewed Crafting Europe Manifesto—a strategic and reasserted call to action aimed at securing the future of Europe’s diverse and dynamic craft sector.
Originally launched in 2019, the Crafting Europe Manifesto gave voice to Europe’s craft professionals, urging greater recognition and support at the European policy level. The initial Manifesto provided a pivotal platform for European craft professionals to make their voices be heard by the European policy makers. Since then, the sector has made significant strides, but it has also faced unprecedented challenges.
“Crafts are at the foundation of Europe’s identity and economy. This manifesto is our sector’s collective vision—and our call for meaningful, sustained policy action,” said Cristina Mendes, president of the European Crafts Alliance (ECA).
The manifesto lays out an action plan crafted to:
- Acknowledge the Craft Sector’s Impact
- Champion Human-Centric Creativity
- Support Growth Through Legislation
- Foster Education and Skill Transfer
- Drive Innovation and Evolution
- Promote and Preserve Craft Heritage
“With this renewed manifesto, we are calling on EU institutions and national governments to work together to ensure we are not just preserving heritage—but recognising crafts as a driver of sustainability, identity, and economic resilience,” said Laura Miguel Baumann, Secretary General of the European Crafts Alliance.
Action Plan
1. Ensure representation of the craft sector in all its dimensions through European support programmes
Advocate for the equal representation of ‘craftsperson, artisan, craftworker, craft artist, maker, and manufacturer’ within all relevant European programmes (2026-2030), beyond the artistic and creative industries, including sustainability, education, and innovation initiatives. Ensure equality of access to European public funds for craft professionals and their institutions, fostering inclusivity and supporting a diverse range of craft practices.
2. Support measures that help to boost enterprise and access to markets for craft businesses
Ensure that regulations are appropriate to the scale and specific needs of craft businesses, promoting growth while maintaining the authenticity and quality of traditional craftsmanship. Increase access to professional development opportunities, including digital transformation, market expansion (e.g., e-commerce, international trade), and business skills training. Provide dedicated support for the adoption of innovative practices and technologies, enabling craft businesses to adapt to evolving market demands and contribute to the circular economy.
3. Address the decline in training provision and transmission of skills
Collaborate with European craft institutions and educational establishments to develop targeted training programmes that bridge the gap between master craftspeople and emerging talent. Upskilling and reskilling craftspeople is crucial—not just for their individual growth, but also for the sustainability and evolution of the craft industry as a whole. Establish mentorship and apprenticeship schemes that facilitate the transmission of traditional skills to young people, ensuring the sustainability of the craft sector while enhancing the non-formal education and standardising certification of skills at EU level. Promote educational initiatives that highlight the broader applicability of craft skills in other industries, including construction, heritage restoration, and high-end manufacturing, demonstrating the sector’s versatility and economic value.
4. Undertake research to identify and quantify the economic, educational, cultural and social value of craft to Europe
Work with European partners to create a robust framework for measuring the economic, educational, cultural, and social impact of the craft sector on European society. Promote the creation of a crafts NACE code. Conduct research to quantify the sector’s contributions to other industries, emphasising how craft expertise supports fields like architecture, conservation, and sustainable development. Enhance the provision of Geographical Indications (GIs) for crafts, offering protection to traditional techniques and ensuring the economic sustainability of regions known for specific artisanal practices.
5. Promote the recognition and protection of the craft sector through legislation
Advocate for legislation at European and national levels that recognises and protects craft professions, providing a legal framework to support the sector’s future. Support the development of legal protections that ensure craft businesses can thrive in both domestic and international markets, preserving Europe’s rich cultural heritage.
6. Host a European year of craft
Develop a proposal to designate a ‘European Year of Craft’ within the 2026-2030 EU programme to raise awareness amongst policymakers, institutions, and the public. Highlight the vital role of crafts in maintaining traditional skills while driving forward new solutions in urban and rural development, climate action, and community resilience.
Read it, share it & put the plan into action
The Manifesto is available to read and share online. All individuals, organisations, and institutions committed to the future of European crafts are encouraged to read it, share it and contribute to its implementation. Together, let´s shape a shape a prosperous and sustainable future for European crafts.
Read the Manifesto
Access the full Manifesto as a PDF and explore the six-point action plan.
Share the Manifesto
Use our visual assets to show your support and spread the word across your channels!
Join the Coalition: Endorse the Manifesto
Crafting Europe Manifesto 2025 is a call for a collective voice of the European crafts sector. If your organisation shares our vision for a stronger, more resilient, and innovative, as well as supported and acknowledged craft sector in Europe, we invite you to formally endorse the Manifesto. By adding the name of your organisation to the Endorsment Coalition, you help us make these strategic goals a reality.
Photos from the Manifesto launch
