Organizer Information
The European Crafts Alliance (ECA) is an established network with almost 40 member organisations from more than 20 European countries, rooted in an ethos of sustainability and knowledge-sharing among craft communities across the continent. ECA works to promote knowledge sharing, growth, preservation, and valorisation of crafts, and advocates for crafts and craftspeople through international cooperation programmes and engagement with policy at official and political levels. The organization traces its identity to a 2025 rebrand — formerly operating under a different name, it now represents 38 member organizations from 23 European countries and continues a mission to support, represent, and empower crafts organisations and craftspeople. This open call sits within ECA's broader sectorial research program, which has previously produced seven milestone studies on the European crafts sector, and is delivered as part of the EU co-funded CraftsNet project.
Title & Description
Open Call for Research Proposals: Rare and Endangered Crafts Across Europe
ECA is seeking an expert consultant or research entity to conduct a comprehensive European study on rare and endangered crafts, building on its existing library of seven sectorial studies. The commissioned research is intended to provide actionable evidence on the current state of vulnerable crafts and to propose strategies for safeguarding them for future generations. The selected research partner will focus on four areas: analysis and mapping of the current landscape and existing support structures; qualitative and quantitative data collection from craftspeople, educators, and policymakers across Europe; identification of best practices that preserve, transmit, and revitalize craft skills; and formulation of clear, actionable policy recommendations for regional, national, and European authorities.
Theme
Rare and endangered crafts across Europe — mapping their current state and proposing strategies to safeguard them for future generations.
Categories
- Research
- Craft
- Art Management
- Culture
Eligibility
- Open to expert consultants or research entities (individual or organizational applicants)
- No nationality or country-of-residence restriction stated in the source
- No further eligibility criteria specified on the main page; the linked official Open Call document (hosted on Google Drive) could not be accessed to check for additional requirements — this should be verified directly before publishing if fuller eligibility detail is needed
Program Benefits & Awards
- Maximum budget allocation of €16,347.00, inclusive of all costs, for the commissioned research
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Email your application to info@europeancraftsalliance.org with the subject line "Proposal for Study: Rare and Endangered Crafts Across Europe"
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
- Research period: October 2026 – April 2027
Location
Brussels, Belgium
Additional Details
- Deliverables include a comprehensive final report, a short policy brief, and a public webinar presentation of the findings
- This activity is part of the CraftsNet project, co-funded by the European Union
- A fuller breakdown of methodology, required expertise, and submission guidelines is available in the official Open Call document, linked from the source page but not independently verifiable here (Google Drive link required sign-in access)