World Crafts Council Europe
The World Crafts Council is a non-profit membership organisation set up to promote an international interest in crafts and encourage contact between the craftspeople of different countries.
The Design & Crafts Council Ireland continues to work in partnership with key government departments, agencies and associations in the development and implementation of programmes for the design and craft sector.
These include the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), Irish Local Development Network (ILDN), Leader companies, Western Development Commission (WDC), National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM) and our own membership organisations as well as working with Craft Northern Ireland.
We are developing a network of clusters with relevant partners to support the growth and development of the design and craft sector sector, including cultural mapping on a regional basis in partnership with a committee of Leader companies, developing an infrastructure of creative hubs that provide facilities, networks and services for existing and emerging design and craft collectives. We are also working on developing links to industry and expertise that will foster the innovative development and potential of the design and crafts sector and undertaking research to identify industry expertise, equipment and facilities.
We engage in partnerships with industry, third level partners and organisations to develop cross-sectoral projects and develop the design and craft sector’s potential to access finance for research and development (R&D) through innovation vouchers. We are working towards developing a mechanism for DCCI that will assist in building the organisation’s capacity to access EU funding for the benefit of clients and the design and craft sector. Furthermore we wish to continue to develop links through existing EU programmes and the World Crafts Council (WCC) that will enable greater mobility, access to information and development of export markets for Irish design and craft. We hope to manage current and future EU programmes such as INNOCRAFTS and the Leonardo Partnership programmes including Leargas' European Shared Treasure (EST) and drive policy research in the area of SME internationalisation and networking. We also gather EU data and links on new technology and innovation relevant to the sector.
We will continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to deliver our commitments to the Action Plan for Jobs and to provide practical and effective supports that benefit the design and craft sector as a whole.
CRAFTS CODE
CRAFTS CODE aims to enhance the competitiveness of craft SMEs by developing a framework to stimulate policy learning and build capacity to improve the implementation of regional development policies and programmes.
Crafting Europe
Supported by Creative Europe, the ‘Crafting Europe’ project was inspired by the need to build capacity within the crafts sector across Europe. It is a partnership between nine expert organisations across Europe.
World Crafts Council International
The World Crafts Council (WCC AISBL) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that was founded in 1964 to promote fellowship, foster economic development through income generating craft related activities, organise exchange programs, workshops, conferences, seminars, and exhibitions.
Craft 4.0
Craft 4.0 aims to develop a digital training platform and peer network for the Craft sector in the area of digital modelling, digital manufacturing and additive manufacturing processes. By improving digital competences in the sector, the objective is to develop product design and development skills.
Craft Hub
The Craft Hub project will showcase the wealth of European Craft practice and address sector challenges. Craft heritage will be combined with experimentation in disciplines such as glass, ceramics, jewellery, stonemasonry, metalwork, textiles, furniture, digital making and more.