From tradition to the future – Ancient crafts and new entrepreneurial possibilities for young people Erasmus Project

Project Title

From tradition to the future – Ancient crafts and new entrepreneurial possibilities for young people

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; Integration of refugees

Project Summary

The aim of the project stemmed out from the necessity to rediscover the cultural value of ancient crafts and craftsmen’s role in culture and society as part of a common cultural heritage in different European countries,increasing the value of crafts in a new perspective.Participants discovered how handicrafts can combine past,present and future as they represent one of the most important and permanent values which reflects the social,cultural and economic lifestyles of a community.The projects rose awareness on the necessity of protecting and preserving handicraft traditional cultural heritage;at the same time participants experienced on one side how handicrafts can become a new possibility of employment,also thanks to the use of new technological tools and ICT in an innovative way,on the other hand an instrument of social inclusion along with the possibility to help the environment and a sustainable development.Students and teachers from the four partner schools were involved in activities aiming to know different crafts realities in their territory,their history and the present situation;they created cultural itineraries based on their research;they analysed how crafts can become a new employment resource among young people in a contemporary context and a valid alternatives to office work in a moment of huge economic crisis.The project created a link between schools and the world of work by involving local associations in the project. Participants took part to practical workshops in which they created real objects,starting from an idea and following the whole creative process.Project activities enhanced an entrepreneurial mindset in participants who created a virtual e shop and learnt how to advertise and sell the created objects on the web. Charity markets were held to raise money for funding charity activities.New technologies (3D printers) were used to project and create new objects, therefore participants discovered the potentialities that ICT offer to give value to crafts products in a digital world.Students and teachers cooperated ad worked together with refugees,elderly and disadvantaged people in handicrafts workshops.
The project was carried out transnationally and gave participants the opportunity to compare different realities in Europe,from the north to the south of the EU.They discovered similarities and differences in the ancient crafts traditions of each nation and compared different ways of valorising and promoting crafts activities proposed by each school,thus being involved in an exchange of good practices mutually helpful and rewarding.
In partner schools the target groups were formed by groups of students,aged 13/14-17,directly involved in the project activities which aimed at promoting the acquisition of skills and competences in different areas of learning,with special reference to the development of an entrepreneurial mentality among young people.Participants acquired transverse skills and abilities not only connected with the project topics but useful and reusable in a variety of context in their future life,such as working in group and interacting in a foreign language to exchange procedures or information. In the selected activities,everyone was able to show their own ability,improved self-esteem,self-confidence and mutual acceptance in social life.The project topics and issues were explored in an enlarged European context, in fact participants worked together and exchanged different points of view in a multicultural environment.A part of the activities were carried out outside the schools,in cooperation with local organizations,craftsmen’s associations and voluntary organizations,thus creating a strong connection with the real world.A few practical workshops at school were open to local community,including a group of refugees,elderly people,women’s associations, therefore the project activities became a means of social inclusion and confrontations with other cultures,helping fighting prejudices and stereotypes.
The work methodology balanced theory,researches and learning activities with practical ones.Students were involved directly in the planning and procedure of each activity.The project fostered a multidisciplinary and inter-disciplinary approach, promoted a problem-based learning,developed and reinforced students’ manual,digital,transversal, creative skills along with participants’ communicative abilities in the foreign common work language(English).
Thanks to the project, partner schools have became a reference point for an enlarged community,including local professional,cultural and voluntary associations.The project has inserted each school in a long-lasting network of cooperation and collaboration not only at local level but in a wider European perspective.The joint dissemination of the project results,achievements and products has enlarged the European quality of the partnership since the benefits obtained have been promoted at local,national and European level.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 129000 Eur

Project Coordinator

liceo scientifico Francesco Severi & Country: IT

Project Partners

• IES Villalba Hervás
• Ludzas pilsetas gimnazija
• UHTNA PÕHIKOOL