Press
Welcome to our press corner, where you can find press releases on our events, activities, collaborations, surveys and more. All texts and images are subject to copyright and should be used only for coverage of the connected topic. When publishing the images, credit the stated author and the photo source.
For media enquiries and further information, contact communication(at)europeancraftsalliance(dot)org.
New Packaging Rules and Craft Businesses
10 September 2026
58.5% of respondents to ECA’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Impact Survey are stopping, pausing or restricting EU cross-border sales. The ECA is calling for five targeted changes to keep craft micro-enterprises participating in the Single Market, including relief from mandatory Authorised Representatives and a simplified, interoperable route for very low-volume cross-border sales. Press materials>>
ECA Report: Crafting Health and Wellbeing
30 April 2026
European countries are under-utilising a powerful public health resource. The ECA´s new report offers robust, data-backed evidence for what makers have long known: crafting is a highly effective tool that deserves a formal place in preventative healthcare. Press materials>>
ECA Annual Conference 2026: Crafting Wellbeing
10 April 2026
On 30 April 2026, the ECA Annual Conference in Florence will explore the intersection of craft and public health. Co-organised with Artex during the 90th MIDA exhibition, the event highlights how making supports mental health and social inclusion, opening new professional pathways for craftspeople within rehabilitation and community wellbeing networks. Press materials>>
European Craft Days 2026
28 March 2026
The European Crafts Days (ECD)take place between 7 and 12 April, celebrating the richness and diversity of crafts across the continent. Coordinated by L’Institut pour les Savoir Faire Français, the 2026 edition is guided by the theme With Heart and Soul, highlighting the passion, skill, and shared knowledge that sustain craft traditions across generations. Press materials>>
Geographical Indications for Craft and Industrial Products Enter into Force
1 December 2025
The new EU Regulation on Geographical Indications (GIs) for craft and industrial products officially enters into force, providing robust, EU-wide legal protection for regional specialties (ceramics, stonework, textiles, etc.) for the first time. This landmark shift brings the protection of artisan heritage in line with global agricultural products. To mark this entry into force, the ECA has issued an essential guide detailing the immediate impact of the new law and providing key resources for producers, policymakers, and consumers. Press materials>>
ECA Policy Forum: Beyond the Findings
9 November 2025
In recent months, two significant publications have contributed valuable insights into the current state and future potential of the European craft sector. Both come to the same clear conclusion: Europe’s craft sector, estimated at €50 billion, is being held back because it remains largely invisible in politics and statistics. This event aims to present the key outcomes of both documents, and discuss how their recommendations can inform future initiatives and policy developments at European level. Press materials>>
ECA Capsule Exhibition at Contemporania 2025
29 September 2025
On 2-4 October, the European Crafts Alliance (ECA) presents a capsule exhibition at Contemporania 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. We are showcasing the works of MAESTRIA Prize winners Emilie Palle Holm and Lotte Westphael, as well as featuring the ECA ambassador, emerging textile artist Josep Safont. Press materials>>
ECA Annual Conference 2025: Positioning Crafts in the Contemporary Economy
7 August 2025
The ECA annual conference, Positioning Crafts in the Contemporary Economy, will takes a practical look at what it means to be a craft professional in the modern economy. The event co-organised by the ECA and Norwegian Crafts, will bring together guest speakers from across Europe and nearly 40 members of the ECA. Press materials>>
ECA’s CRAFTING Project Delivers Major Impact for the Sector
3 July 2025
The European Crafts Alliance (ECA) is proud to announce the successful conclusion of CRAFTING, a three-year project co-funded by the European Union that has delivered meaningful and lasting results for the European craft sector. Over its three-year journey, the project reached nearly 3 million people across our network’s digital channels with engagement across diverse events and initiatives surpassing 1.4 million people throughout Europe. Press materials>>
Crafting Europe Manifesto 2025
22 May 2025
In response to a rapidly evolving cultural and economic landscape, the European Crafts Alliance (ECA), a network of 38 crafts organisations from 23 European countries, is issuing a renewed Crafting Europe Manifesto—a strategic and reasserted call to action aimed at securing the future of Europe’s diverse and dynamic craft sector. Press materials>>
Understanding the New Technological Context for Craftsmanship: A study on the Integration of Digital Design and Fabrication Technologies in the European Craft Sector
2 April 2025
The European Crafts Alliance’s new study on the integration of digital design and fabrication technologies in European crafts, conducted by Ohayō, identifies the keys to the successful integration of digital technologies in the craft sector and provides insights into the barriers, needs, and benefits identified during the process and in daily practice. Press materials>>
Unveiling the Potential of the Craft Sector: A Study on Production and Business Opportunities
12 March 2025
The European craft sector holds immense potential for growth, yet many craftspeople and crafts entrepreneurs struggle to access useful market insights. ECA’s new study into the European Crafts sector conducted by Ohayō unlocks production and business opportunities with more than 100 practical ways to strengthen business, and also provides valuable market insights, including a Craft Business Toolkit that serves as a practical guideline for crafts enterprises. Press materials>>
Craft & Industrial Geographical Indications Expert Working Group in Key Discussions at EUIPO’s Geographical Indications 2025 Conference
30 January 2025
Members of the Craft & Industrial Geographical Indications Expert Working Group, coordinated by ECA and the Fédération Française des Indications Géographiques Industrielles et Artisanales (FFIGIA), actively participated at the conference Geographical Indications 2025 by EUIPO on 28-29 January 2025 in Alicante, Spain. Press materials>>
We are the European Crafts Alliance!
23 January 2025
Our name has changed, but our members’ driven commitment is the same: to represent, support, and empower crafts organisations, craftspeople, and the European crafts sector. We are a network of 38 member organizations from 23 European countries – we are the European Crafts Alliance (ECA). Press materials>>
The European crafts and industrial sectors welcome the new Geographical Indications scheme
Apr 2024
The long-awaited new EU legislation on geographical indications is a major step forward in providing protection for craft and industrial products. An experts working group led and managed by ECA and FFIGIA has been established to represent the voice of the craft and industrial sector and to cooperate with EU officials on the challenges and needs of these sectors. Press materials>>
New Study Reveals Resilience and Challenges in Europe's Craft Sector
Mar 2024
The findings of the Study into the Resilience of the Craft Sector in Europe highlight the sector’s resilience in the face of economic instability, shifting consumer behaviours and global crises, and also identifies growth opportunities with increased interest in the handmade, locally produced products and legislative changes supporting European crafts. Press materials>>
Annual Conference 2024
May 2024
Our annual conference State of Crafts: Key Pillars in the Contemporary Craft Sector brings together a network of more than 30 craft organisations across Europe as well as a programme of speakers to discuss and debate current issues related to crafts in Europe. Press materials>>
Behind the 50 billion € market of the European Crafts sector
Sep 2023
We commissioned a comprehensive study examining the European crafts market, which includes approximately 153 million people and is estimated to be worth 50 billion euros. This first in-depth study provides a clear profile of crafts consumers and systematic insights from craftspeople/crafts experts, offering a comprehensive overview of the sector as well as deepening our understanding of the European crafts market. Press materials>>
Mass Open Online Course (MOOC): Circular
Aug 2023
Circular with Katie Treggiden (Making Design Circular) is geared towards makers, craftspeople, innovators, designers, creatives and stakeholders, both within the cultural and creative industries and beyond. The main aim of the MOOC is to gain an understanding and awareness of the importance of transforming our current linear economic model (take–make–use–lose) into a more nature-inspired, closed-loop model. Press materials>>
FUSION 2024
Feb 2024
FUSION 2024 – Biennial of Contemporary Glass Jewellery announces the 30 creators selected to showcase their at the MAVA – Museum of Contemporary Glass Art in Alcorcón, in Spain. The open call received 171 entires from 87 creators from 26 different countries. Press materials>>