The project aimed to develop a digital and innovative methodology that empowers young artists aged 14 to 30, including VET trainers and students, to effectively promote and sell their art through digital marketing. By aligning vocational education with labour market needs, we sought to equip participants with practical skills in online platforms, AI tools, SEO strategies, and digital marketplace navigation. This directly supports the Erasmus+ VET priority of adapting education to market demands and the horizontal priority of addressing digital transformation. We created a structured curriculum, trained 62 young artists, and trainers to built a sustainable online community supported by SEO-friendly content and pedagogical guidelines. To ensure long-term impact beyond Erasmus+ funding, we embedded open-access resources, trained local trainers for continued delivery, and established partnerships with stakeholders committed to maintaining the platform. Impact will be measured through engagement analytics, participant feedback, and follow-up surveys tracking digital sales activity post-training.
DigiMark was initiated in response to the growing digital transformation in the art sector, where young artists and VET trainers face challenges accessing and navigating online platforms to promote and monetise their work. Despite the rise of digital art marketplaces and technologies like NFTs, VR, and AI, many young creatives—especially those from marginalised backgrounds—lack the digital marketing skills needed to thrive in this evolving landscape. Eurostat data shows that only 56% of young Europeans aged 16–29 possess basic digital skills (Eurostat, 2022), highlighting a critical gap. The project addresses this by equipping young artists (ages 14 to 30) & VET trainers with practical knowledge of digital marketing, AI tools, and blockchain applications. It also supports VET providers in aligning their curricula with labour market demands, as recommended by the EC’s VET policy priorities (EC, 2020). Each partner organisation identified a need to modernise training offers, enhance employability, and foster inclusion through non-formal learning. By integrating business needs with VET education, DigiMark ensures long-term impact and sustainability through curriculum integration, community engagement, and open-access resources.