Networking

ECA organises an annual conference, hosted by a different member country with a comprehensive itinerary that connects craftspeople, craft organisations, craft experts and the network on current key issues and topics.

The core goals of the conferences are:

• Provide an opportunity for ECA members to network, discuss, share information and knowledge.
• Contribute to fostering international relations.
• Provide valuable information, market intelligence and models to increase the competitiveness and the economic and social potential of craft as a creative sector.
• Promote an in-depth knowledge of the specific needs, characteristics, and vulnerabilities of the European craft sector across the value chain.
• Foster an ongoing and close dialogue with craft stakeholders and other policy sectors (education, youth, science, research and innovation, environment, employment, social affairs, tourism).
• Contribute to raising awareness and encouraging the sector to adopt more environmentally sustainable practices.

Past Annual Conferences:

Crafting the Future – Skills for the next generation of craftspeople
Co-hosted by CEARTE at the Museu de Arte Popular in Lisbon, Portugal

Crafting the Future – New Skills & Opportunities for Crafts
Co-hosted by the Malta Crafts Foundation at the University of Malta, Valletta Campus, Malta

State of Crafts: Key Pillars in the Contemporary Craft Sector
Co-hosted by CCAM at the Design Hub, Barcelona, Spain

Positioning Crafts in the Contemporary Economy
Co-hosted by Norwegian Crafts at Litteraturhuset, Oslo, Norway

Crafting Wellbeing
Co-hosted by Artex at MIDA90, Florence, Italy

The ECA General Assembly (GA) is held annually, and each year is hosted by one of our member organisations in their country. Members must submit an application to host and it becomes an opportunity to showcase the scope of crafts in their local context.

The ECA Board, Secretariat and all Members are invited to gather for this important event on the annual calendar and get updated on the work of the organisation while networking, discussing and collaborating on strategy and activities.

ECA General Assemblies

2026 Florence, Italy
2025 Oslo, Norway
2024 Barcelona, Spain
2023 Valletta, Malta
2022 Lisbon, Portugal
2021 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
2020 Virtual Meeting Online
2019 Tbilisi, Georgia
2018 Edinburgh, Scotland
2017 Florence, Italy
2016 Kosice, Slovakia
2015 Mons, Belgium
2014 Bergen, Norway
2013 Amsterdam, Netherlands
2012 London, United Kingdom
2011 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
2010 Bornholm, Denmark
2009 Sursee, Switzerland
2008 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
2007 Valletta, Malta
2006 Lappeenranta, Finland
2005 Paris, France
2004 Metsovo, Greece
2003 Copenhagen, Denmark
2002 Turin, Italy
2001 Barcelona, Spain
2000 Edinburgh, Scotland

To engage ECA members in the implementation of the CraftsNet project, which is co-funded by the European Union, an open call has been launched for them to propose and deliver networking, training, and promotional activities. This financial support scheme aims to diversify the impact and geographical reach of the project by empowering our members to drive new initiatives.

The ECA network is comprised of craft organisations from across the European continent with a shared purpose of stimulating knowledge sharing, growth, and the valorisation of crafts. Through this new scheme, we actively seek to support our members’ projects and help further develop and uplift the sector.

As part of CraftsNet, the ECA will allocate a total of 60,000€ to support member-led activities between 2025 and 2029. Successful applicants can receive grants of 1,000€, 1,500€, or 2,500€, which will be awarded as a fixed lump sum.

We invite our members to propose activities that fall into three main categories:

• Networking: Festivals, exhibitions, audio-visual productions, and community-building events.
• Training: Workshops, bootcamps, incubator programmes, summer schools, and residencies.
• Promotional: Activities designed to increase the visibility of crafts to wider audiences.

Applications are accepted on a continuous rolling basis until December 2028, or until funds are fully allocated. For full details on eligibility, award criteria, and the application process, members are encouraged to review the Compliance Manual and submit their proposal via the online form. More info>>

This activity is part of the CraftsNet project and is co-funded by the European Union.