The CRAFTS+ project aimed to achieve several objectives focusing on fostering sustainable growth through skills development in the ceramics craft sector. It developed customized training and capacity-building materials to enhance skills in ceramics entrepreneurship. The focus was on the promotion of sustainable economic growth and how to formalize microeconomic activities and provide self-learning solutions for adult learners, especially women. It facilitated knowledge sharing and improved practices in ceramics. It taught individual practitioners how to transition from informal to formal micro-entrepreneurship through the use of learning materials. Provided policy recommendations for local and regional authorities and stakeholders with aim to enhance the learning environment in the crafts and educational sector, particularly for adult learners. It built the capacity of partnership organizations, promoting cross-border cooperation and expanding professional networks. in sum, CRAFTS+ connected ceramics education with practical knowledge sharing created tailored training materials, established an ICT platform for teaching how to formalize micro-entrepreneurship, and provided policy recommendations to improve the learning environment.
The motivation behind applying for the CRAFTS+ project was multifaceted. They are based on recognizing the challenges faced by ceramic crafts practitioners and the potential for development - sustainable growth and innovation within the sector. The current segmentation and fragmentation, has left many practitioners without the support and resources they need to thrive. The ceramic crafts sector, holds immense potential for innovation, learning, and community engagement. CRAFTS+ was developed to utilize this potential through training provisions via an e-learning platform where craft trainers, practitioners, educators and could collaborate, share knowledge, and develop new ideas. The project also aimed to build capacity among ceramic crafts practitioners by offering entrepreneurial-based training materials, evaluations, practices ets. By equipping the practitioners with the necessary skills and knowledge, CRAFTS+ sought to empower them so they can overcome the obstacles they face.