10 Dec 2025 : Policy Round Table
Setting the scene
On 10 December 2025, the CRAFTOUR initiative held its first Policy Round Table at the European Commission, marking a key milestone in its efforts to place crafts firmly on the European policy agenda.
Launched by Mad’in Europe, CRAFTOUR brings together six EU-funded European projects working across crafts, heritage, research, education, innovation and sustainability. This closed, hybrid meeting brought together project representatives, European institutions and international organisations to open a focused dialogue on the future of the craft sector in Europe.
A collective voice for European crafts
The Policy Round Table gathered representatives from the European Commission, UNESCO, and the core CRAFTOUR projects. Contributions were led by project representatives including Madina Benvenuti (Mad’in Europe / CRAEFT), Fabrizio Panozzo (Università Ca’ Foscari / HEPHAESTUS), Julie De Groot and Bert De Munck (University of Antwerp / Tracks4Crafts), and Riikka Räisänen (University of Helsinki / Colours4Crafts).
Together, they addressed a growing blind spot in European policy: the urgent need to fully recognise and revitalise crafts not only as a form of cultural heritage, but as a strategic economic sector and a dynamic ecosystem deeply connected to Europe’s social, territorial and environmental priorities.
Four shared priorities
The discussions and policy recommendations presented during the Round Table converged around four key priorities, developed collectively across the CRAFTOUR initiative:
- strengthening statistical knowledge to better understand and document European crafts,
- safeguarding and promoting authenticity,
- supporting the transmission of skills and know-how through formal and non-formal education,
- reinforcing viable and sustainable business models for the craft sector.
Rather than isolated proposals, these priorities reflect a shared analytical framework rooted in field research, lived professional realities and long-term collaboration between projects.
Crafts at the heart of European priorities
The exchanges with representatives from DG EAC, DG MOVE, DG RTD, Creative Europe and UNESCO highlighted the transversal role of crafts across major EU policy areas, from the green transition and circular economy to education, innovation, tourism and regional development.
Participants stressed a growing paradox: craftsmanship, once central to European identity, embodies values that the European Union urgently needs today, circularity, low-waste production, repair culture, resilience, creativity and strong regional roots, yet remains largely absent from key policy frameworks and strategic agendas.
A first milestone in a broader trajectory
The Policy Round Table was conceived as the first milestone in a wider CRAFTOUR policy journey. The recommendations presented on 10 December now serve as a foundation for continued dialogue with institutions and stakeholders.
This work will be carried forward through two major upcoming events:
the CRAFTOUR Scientific Conference, hosted by the University of Antwerp on 29 January 2026, and
the CRAFTOUR General Conference, held at the European Parliament in Brussels on 30 January 2026.
Together, these events aim to advance a shared vision and identify concrete policy pathways for the revitalisation of European crafts.
