Our project is purpose-driven with clear objectives: 1) Skill Development: Empower vocational students and skilled crafters by providing new skills in upcycling and sustainable design. 2) Platform Creation: Develop, test, and launch an online educational and networking platform, serving as a hub for learning and collaboration, especially easy to use for vocational schools. 3) New Course: Innovate and trial a certification course catering to vocational students and interested crafters, specifically focusing on upcycling and sustainable business management, circle economy. 4) Quality Assurance: Establish and register a trademark that ensures quality and reliability, promoting credibility within the field. 5) Awareness and Promotion: Increase awareness about upcycling and sustainable crafting while advocating for a green mindset. These objectives collectively aim to equip individuals in vocational education and skilled crafters with essential upcycling skills, facilitate learning through an online platform, ensure quality through certification, and advocate for sustainability within crafting communities.
Our aim is to tackle urgent needs highlighted by the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan of March 2020. This plan emphasizes promoting sustainable textiles and improving access to reuse and recycling services. Upcycling is key—a force that can significantly reduce landfill waste, pollution, and the need for new materials. Despite a community passionate about sustainable businesses through upcycling, a unified platform was lacking. The rising demand for sustainable goods underscores the need for quality assurance. While vocational programs in fashion and other design integrate upcycling practices, they often lack official accreditation for related professions or industries. To meet these challenges, we collaborated to create "Gift(ed)," an innovative platform and free course Sustainability in crafts and design. This initiative offers an online course focused on upcycling, empowering small businesses and individuals. "Gift(ed)" also serve as a networking space, fostering a community committed to promoting upcycling and advancing the principles of a circular economy. The platform is free to use - people can study 5 free courses, create social market - a display with upcycled goods, communicate via "wall" posts ant in closed groups.