At the end of January, members of the European Crafts Alliance gathered in Antwerp and Brussels for the latest edition of the ECA Knowledge Exchange Programme (KEP), co-hosted by the ECA member Mad’in Europe. The programme combined academic insight, sector expertise, and high-level policy dialogue at the European Parliament. The primary goal of the KEP was to translate academic research into a clear, actionable trajectory for ECA members. The consensus of the members, who work daily on the ground with craftspeople, was that while the sector benefits from high-level policy debate, it urgently needs data, visibility, and strategic frameworks to support makers in their daily practice.
A Structured Next Step
Rather than remaining in abstract debate, members identified a number of concrete areas for coordinated development in order to build shared tools for the ECA network and the wider European craft sector. These include:
- Translating Sector Insights into Policy: Collecting and analysing field-based information provided by members to identify key issues affecting the craft sector and develop clear, evidence-based policy recommendations.
- Strengthening Sector Data: Exploring adaptable models for structured data collection, drawing inspiration from existing national methodologies.
- Connecting Education and Practice: Mapping stronger links between craftspeople and specialised training institutions across Europe.
- Facilitating Cross-Border Exchange: Outlining a framework to enable a more fluid sharing of knowledge, expertise and circulation of exhibitions and projects within the ECA network.
A Collective Effort
Translating this strategic roadmap into reality is an ongoing, coordinated effort. The ECA Advocacy Working Group continues to carry this work forward, translating dialogue into concrete policy recommendations and long-term positioning for the sector. The Knowledge Exchange Programme remains a core mechanism for this process: creating space for informed discussion, strategic alignment, and coordinated action across our network.
This KEP 2026 was co-hosted with Mad’in Europe and is a part of the CraftsNet project, co-funded by the EU.
Past ECA KEP include:
- Dublin, Ireland (Feb 2023): New Competences for the Future Craftspeople – Co-hosted by the Creative Futures Academy.
- Granada, Spain (Feb 2023): Accreditation of Competencies – Co-hosted by the National Reference Centre for Crafts.
- Stockholm, Sweden (Oct 2023): Curatorial Competencies – Co-hosted by Konsthantverkscentrum.
- Rotterdam, Netherlands (Nov 2023): Craft Skills & Education for Youth – Co-hosted by Crafts Council Nederland.
- Barcelos, Portugal (Mar 2025): Geographical Indications for Crafts – Co-hosted by Cearte.
- Bratislava, Slovakia (Mar 2025): Crafts Safeguarding Practices – Co-hosted by ÚĽUV.