Membership
The European Crafts Alliance (ECA) is open to organisations in European countries that represent and advocate for crafts. Membership provides access to a European network of peers, essential resources for development, and a collective voice to influence the future of the sector.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Opportunities, Collaborations and Research
- Access financial support for members, including travel expenses for the ECA Knowledge Exchange Residencies aimed at sharing and acquiring business and organisational skills to be able to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the green transition and digital skills in the crafts sector.
- Access seed funding for collaborative projects via the ECA’s CraftsNet project co-funded by the European Union (2025-2029).
- Access the ECA network to find partners for funding applications, touring exhibitions, and other collaborative ventures.
- Promote your organization’s key initiatives through the ECA network, reaching targeted European audiences and member organizations in over 20 European countries, representing over 1,000,000 craftspeople.
- Access research information and collected research on crafts across Europe.
Peer Exchange and Networking
- Address organizational challenges and share insights with European peers in monthly online meetups and attend the annual General Assembly in person for networking and contribution.
- Learn how organizations in other countries operate, including how funding is accessed and managed, how they engage with members, and how they structure specific programs.
- Learn from proven operational models and strategies from across the different European countries.
- Engage with like-minded peers on the future of the craft sector.
Capacity Building
- Be part of key conversations and trends shaping the craft sector across Europe, from sustainability practices to new digital tools.
- Gain access to concrete capacity building opportunities through ECA projects. The ECA’s CraftsNet project, for example, provides direct invitations to knowledge exchanges, workshops, and training events around Europe.
- Receive our bi-weekly members’ newsletter, which is a practical resource of funding calls, policy updates, and member news.
Advocacy
- Get involved in our specialised advocacy group, which talks directly with European institutions like the EU Parliament on the critical issues we all face.
- Work on concrete topics that have a real impact on policies, like the launch of the Geographical Indications (GIs) for craft products scheme or reforming NACE codes so they properly represent our sector.
- Strengthen your own national advocacy by comparing legislation and learning from your European peers. You can find proven strategies that have worked in other countries and apply them to policy issues in your own country.
WHO CAN APPLY
Membership of the European Crafts Alliance is open to organisations in European countries – considering a geographical definition – which represent and advocate for the crafts of these countries or regions.
There are four membership types for organisations: National, Regional, Professional and Affiliate.
National
- Must be the national representative organisation.
- Have a mandate to deliver initiatives and policies to support, stimulate and develop the sector.
- Be in receipt of public and/or EU funding.
- Have a strategy for national development.
Regional
- Have a mandate to deliver initiatives and policies to support, stimulate and develop the sector.
- Be in receipt of funding through EU, municipalities, local or regional government.
- Have a strategy for regional development.
Professional
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- Having a national or regional remit – membership based guilds, associations, etc.
- A membership based professional organisation representative of a specific craft discipline(s).
Affiliate
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- Affiliates are champions of European Crafts Alliance that includes sponsors, foundations and corporate organisations. As an Affiliate your brand will be aligned with one of Europe’s most exciting cultural and craft organisations.
APPLICATION PROCESS
When an organisation applies for the membership, the ECA Board reviews the application based on the aforementioned criteria. Successful applicants are notified by an email containing an official letter of welcome together with the membership fee invoice.
Once payment of the annual fee is received you will be considered full member of the European Crafts Alliance. Your information will be added to the organisations’ website and you will be enjoy all the benefits of your membership as attending the General Assembly, networking sessions, discussion groups and much more.
Members are required to actively promote ECA and to provide relevant information relating to the crafts sector in their region.