The project aimed to achieve two main objectives: 1) to foster the upskilling of craft enterprise employees through reverse mentoring. The goal was to strengthen the entire workforce by encouraging knowledge exchange between younger and more experienced employees, particularly in the area of digital skills. This helped enterprises adapt to modern industry demands and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment. 2) to enhance a culture of lifelong learning within craft enterprises. The project sought to promote continuous learning and development, creating a work environment where employees were motivated to acquire new skills throughout their careers. This contributed to the long-term sustainability, innovation capacity, and resilience of craft businesses. Through these objectives, the project supported the digital transition, improved intergenerational collaboration, and strengthened the overall competitiveness of the craft sector.
We applied for this project to address the urgent and evolving needs of micro and small craft enterprises, particularly within the Italian and broader European context. These businesses represent a crucial part of the economic and cultural fabric, yet they face persistent challenges in adapting to digital transformation, accessing skilled labor, and remaining competitive in a changing market. In regions such as Marche, the craftsmanship sector is predominantly composed of micro-enterprises that struggle with workforce development, recruitment of qualified personnel, and sustainable knowledge transfer across generations. There was a clear skills gap, particularly in digital and technical domains, and a growing demand for innovative tools to support business continuity and adaptability. Our project responded to these needs by introducing Reverse Mentoring as a strategic methodology to foster intergenerational collaboration, drive digital upskilling, and strengthen organizational resilience. By empowering younger employees to mentor more experienced colleagues in digital and innovative practices, we promoted mutual learning, enhance employee engagement, and we supported the sector’s broader transition toward sustainable growth.