Craft Enterprise Facilitator Programme

Develop the Skills to Lead Business Training for Craftspeople

Deadline for applications is 14 December 2025.
Programme starts on 16 January 2026.
Sessions average two Friday mornings per month (10.00–13.00 CET),
while the final phase allows participants to work at their own pace.

Q&A Session: Thursday, 11 December 2025 at 12.30 CET

**NOTE: This programme is exclusively for ECA members and their officially referred collaborators.**

This training programme is designed to empower ECA members and their collaborators to deliver high-impact craft business training in their own countries, contributing to increasing support for craftspeople and crafts businesses across Europe. The programme offers selected participants the strategic tools, expert mentorship, and official resources needed to launch and manage their own successful national training programmes.

We know that time is a scarce resource. The programme is therefore designed to fit comfortably alongside your existing work. The sessions average two Friday mornings per month (10.00–13.00 CET), while the final phase allows you to work at your own pace. The anticipated dates and times can be discussed, according to the group and trainer’s availability. We encourage you to share your availability and preferences during application.

You can also nominate an external candidate, such as a trusted freelancer or educator you work with. They receive the training on your behalf, so you gain a qualified expert in your region.

Who Should Apply?

The applicant must either be working within an ECA member organisation or be a candidate referred for the programme by the ECA member organisation. This referral is expected to be part of the member organisation’s future strategy to offer professional development services to craftspeople and craft businesses.

Individuals with strategic knowledge of the creative sector who are interested in delivering programmes within European craft-based organisations are welcome to apply. The ideal candidate is focused on developing business training models for sole traders, partnerships, and micro-businesses.

Programme Structure

This programme is designed to equip participants with the skills to produce their own localised craft enterprise training programmes, with delivery by January 2029. The programme will be conducted online in English. The programme is guided by three core modules:

Module 1: The Why (January 2026)

• Two Induction sessions focused on the impact, ecology, and logic behind proven methodologies of craft business training and programme design.

Module 2: The How (February – April 2026)

• Nine practical sessions covering best practice facilitation, recruitment, communication, resources, and outcomes-focused design.

Module 3: The When (April – June 2026)

• A Research & Development period where participants design, present, and refine their own programme models, supported by tailored guidance, 1:1 mentoring, and peer group support.

Core Deliverables

Participants will be guided to produce a Training Plan outlining two training models: one in-depth and one lighter touch, both ready for launch. The participants’ Training Plan will be presented and peer-reviewed in mid-June 2026. Additionally, participants will receive an extensive Resource Pack containing guidelines, tools, and exercises to support best practice in programme design and delivery.

Post-review, participants will embark on the implementation phase, turning the proposed learning frameworks into reality for delivery in their respective countries. The target date for participants’ training delivery is March 2027, allowing ample time for planning following the training modules. However, to ensure maximum time flexibility, delivery can be scheduled anytime up to May 2028, before our final reporting on this programme to the EU.

Expert Guidance

The programme will be led by Caroline Jackman of Creative Business Growth, a leading specialist in business training for the creative sector and an on-going collaborator with the European Crafts Alliance. Caroline’s approach is highly supportive and focused on efficacy: ensuring that the training is practical and drives results. Training will cover the use of Nancy Kline’s Thinking Environment Methodologies for impactful, inclusive, and deeply focused learning sessions. Each participant will also receive tailored support with up to four dedicated 1:1 mentoring sessions, strategically placed to support your programme’s delivery phase.

How to Apply?

Before applying, please review the detailed Anticipated Training Schedule document HERE>>

Once you are confident that you can commit to the programme, please complete the online application form below.

Applicants will be notified during the week of 15 December 2025 with confirmations by 19 December 2025. The programme will start on 16 January 2026.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss candidate referrals, please contact Siobhán at info@europeancraftsalliance.org

This programme is co-funded by the EU and the European Crafts Alliance as part of the CraftsNet project.