The European Crafts Alliance is part of make-a-thek, a newly launched project funded by Horizon Europe, working with eight other partners to help turn public libraries into creative spaces where communities can explore circular fashion, traditional crafts, and local, hands-on solutions.
We are pleased to announce the launch of make-a-thek, a new EU-funded initiative in which we join eight other partner organisations from across Europe. This collaborative project aims to reimagine public libraries as vibrant, inclusive maker spaces — places where communities can come together to learn, create, and exchange ideas.
Over the next three years, make-a-thek will support the development of hands-on creative spaces within public libraries.
These spaces will encourage exploration and experimentation around:
– Circular fashion
– Traditional crafts
– Local, creative solutions
The project is guided by the core values of the New European Bauhaus: Sustainability, Inclusion, and Aesthetic Value.
All project outcomes — including toolkits, learning resources, and design frameworks — will be made freely available as open-access materials to support broader adoption and community use.
The first make-a-thek spaces are expected to open in early 2026, with the goal of co-creating a scalable model for integrating creative learning and making into the public library system.
make-a-thek is an initiative by nine partner organisations:
– Centre for Social Innovation
– Global Innovation Gathering
– Fashion Revolution Germany e.V.
– Opendot
– Public Libraries 2030
– Ukrainian Maker Association (makerua.org)
– European Crafts Alliance
– Fab City Foundation
– Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia / Fab Lab Barcelona
We are excited to begin this journey and invite you to follow along as we share updates, insights, and opportunities to get involved.
make-a-thek is funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and will run until January 2028.
Learn more.
Follow the journey: Newsletter │Instagram │Facebook │LinkedIn