In 2013 UNESCO noted the potential of craft and artisan skills to improve the economies of both developed and developing countries, finding craft and artisan production could highlight shared cultural heritage, encourage community cohesion, contribute to low-carbon economies, improve opportunities for marginalised groups and offer employment in a sector unlikely to be adversely affected by the 4th Industrial Revolution (robotisation, artificial intelligence, internet of things). However, across Europe craft and artisan production is struggling in many areas. A large number of skills are in danger of becoming extinct, as set out in a 2017 report by the Heritage Crafts Association, while other research done for the European Union and for crafts councils paints a picture of a sector where individual micro-enterprises are often led by older people who do not make enough money each month from craft production to live on. However, craft can be very lucrative, as 32% of craft and artisan enterprises (almost all led by younger 'craft careerists' are very profitable. Therefore, the key aim of the CASCADE project is to enable the 68% of micro entrepreneurs in craft and artisan sectors who earn subsistence-level incomes, to gain new knowledge and skills to support the growth of their businesses, develop innovations in manufacture, design and business model and to enable them to share the intangible cultural heritage they carry with their wider communities. The current covid-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on craft and artisan producers as they often rely on craft fairs or local markets for sales; our outputs will foster innovation to help this sector build resilience. The seven objectives of our project cover digital learning for business growth (pricing, digital marketplaces, digital marketing, retail channels etc), innovation and sustainable (closed loop) production along with inter-generational learning, careers advice for young people interested in crafts and the creation of a new network to enable craft and artisan workers to link up with new markets for their products. Our innovative outputs include inter-generational workshops with exhibitions of co-created crafts and a comprehensive package of innovation learning, covering design, marketing, business model and supply innovation. We consider the urgency of the climate emergency and the importance of the craft and artisan sector in contributing to a low-carbon economy with a substantive output setting out routes for low-emission, zero-waste production to enable the craft and artisan sector to innovate in this area, and to make use of their sustainablity credentials in marketing their products. Our underpinning methodology is participatory action research to enable a co-creation of outputs; widely acknowledged as the most effective way to ensure wider take-up of outputs, as end users are supported to co-create the tools they will use to solve identified problems We will work with over 100 craft and artisan makers, and at least 200 young people as part of our intergenerational learning, while we also include innovation agencies, careers guidance teams, large organisations offering new routes to market for makers, crafts councils and representative organisations and through our exhibitions with the general public. Impact is changes in behaviour as a result of an output of the CASCADES project, and we expect to see impacts on people directly involved in the project as well as more widely. Impacts include being able to access new markets, development of design innovations that widen market appeal, more effective pricing decisions, improved sales and through all of these the growth of micro enterprises and a significant improvement in their income. We also expect to make younger people aware of the craft and artisan sectors to encourage take-up of careers. All existing research shows younger crafts people are the cohort able to generate a strong income from craft, but notes that too few young people move into the craft and artisan sector - which is why so many crafts are in danger of dying out. Most importantly we expect to have a significant impact in raising awareness among craft and artisan makers of the opportunities for closed loop manufacturing. This is where there is zero-waste. Enabling the sector to contribute to climate goals is important and small innovations will lead to important gains for the local community, the makers and ultimately, the planet. Therefore, the potential longer term benefits of this project are improved income for craft and artisan enterprises, innovations in the craft and design sector to support wider markets, increased awareness among young people of the opportunities for careers in craft and artisan production, a means of expanding their business networks for often-isolated craft and artisan makers and most importantly, identification and learning for the sector in helping meet the Paris climate goals.
Through the implementation of the CASCADE project, our objectives aimed to achieve transformative changes within the creative cultural sector. Our objectives aimed to empower individuals within these sectors to become more resilient, innovative, and sustainable, while simultaneously fostering economic growth and contributing to the urgent need for environmentally conscious practices. Our specific goals included: 1. Developing a co-created digital learning package for business growth within the craft and artisan sector. 2. Designing an innovation learning program tailored to the unique needs of the craft and artisan sector. 3. Creating toolkits for careers advice and guidance, empowering individuals with opportunities in crafts and creation. 4. Establishing a comprehensive toolkit for effective outreach and engagement for craft and artisan workers. 5. Introducing innovations in sustainability and circular production, aligning with the principles of a low-carbon economy. 6. Organising inter-generational workshops and exhibitions to promote collaboration and learning across different age groups.
We applied for the CASCADE project to address critical needs within the craft, artisan, and creative sectors. These sectors possess immense potential for community growth and sustainable development, as highlighted by UNESCO's research in 2013. However, despite this potential, these workers often faced precarious employment situations and lacked opportunities for innovation and learning to support it. The need for digital learning in areas such as business growth, innovation, and sustainable production was evident, as was the necessity for inter-generational learning and career guidance for young individuals interested in these fields. The urgency of the climate emergency further underscored the importance of innovation within the craft and artisan sector to contribute to a low-carbon economy. We aimed to empower these sectors with the tools and knowledge to innovate sustainably, minimise waste, and leverage their credentials for marketing their products effectively. By addressing these needs, the CASCADE project sought to bridge critical gaps in education, business acumen, and sustainable production, fostering growth and resilience within these sectors and enabling them to contribute positively to the broader economy and society.