The aim of the project was to improve the digital skills of craftsmen whose professions were at risk of disappearing. We wanted to teach them how to work with 3D printing, scanning, graphic software, website creation, and e-shops. At the same time, we focused on using secondary materials and waste—such as old furniture or plastic toys—to produce new personalized products. The project aimed to support local crafts, connect them with modern technologies, and increase their competitiveness in the market. By implementing three types of courses—basic IT skills, 3D technologies, and trainer training—we intended to create a practical educational model that could be transferred to other regions. Thanks to international partnership, we gained know-how that we adapted into methodologies tailored to the specifics of an older target group. We believed that the project would contribute to the preservation of craft heritage and the creation of new opportunities for entrepreneurship and environmentally friendly production.
We joined the project in response to the alarming decline of traditional crafts, which were facing extinction due to insufficient IT skills among craftsmen, low market competitiveness, and weak digitalization. We identified the target group as artistic and hobby craftsmen, mostly older individuals, who possessed strong craft skills but lacked experience with modern tools such as 3D printing, graphic software, e-commerce platforms, and digital marketing. After consultations with the town of Sabinov, the labor office, and the craftsmen themselves, we found that training opportunities in this field were missing in the region. Therefore, our aim was not only to enhance the digital competences of this group but also to explore how to use secondary materials, recycle old items, and create new value-added products. The project also addressed the European Green Deal, Slovakia’s Digital Transformation Strategy, and the need to preserve cultural heritage. Our trainings, methodology development, and trainer education ensured a long-term impact and contributed to the sustainability of jobs in the craft sector and beyond.