Multiplier event in Spain

National seminar “Emprendimiento de alta tecnología para artesanos”

The multiplier event in Spain took place on 7th July and gathered 30 persons from different public and private structures interested in the topic of the project or connected topics as crafts sector development, small business, culture and traditions etc.

It took 6 hours (4 sessions of 90 min. each, 2 coffee breaks and one lunch break) according to the agenda

The event aimed to:

  • promote the project, its website and intellectual outputs in Spain
  • receive feedback on the criteria, indicators and use of the ”arITsan” framework and tools and on the structure, content and possible impact of the intellectual outputs
  • involve local and national entities interested in development of crafts sector at local, national and European level and in adults’ education (particularly lifelong learning and seniors’ non-formal education – mainly for improving their entrepreneurial and ICT competencies and fostering their European identity and awareness) in project dissemination and exploitation of its results
  • foster networking with stakeholders, to achieve a multiplier effect, motivating target groups to get involved in the ”arITsan Products” – Digital Archive (O3)

First session (after participants’ registration) started with a speech of Mrs. Gregorio García-Solans, CEO of Mad for Europe and project manager of ArITsan in Spain. He welcomed participants, overviewed the agenda and set up the goals of the event.. Next Mss. Katia Maccarone, from the project team, had a key note speech related to the project and the need to update senior artisans’ artistic skills with upskilling pathways for increasing their entrepreneurial and ICT skills, also on fostering their European identity and awareness.

Then mrs. Maccarone continued with a presentation of IO1 – quantitative and qualitative statistics, with an emphasise on biggest problems artisans face wit in Spain: difficulty in finding specific places to sell quality crafts, strong competition from large-scale industrial brands, focus on local markets due to financial constraints.

In the second session were invited participants to C1 – Giorgia Basile, C2 – Maria del Carmen Muñoz Arnaiz and Alejandro Piqueras Martinez and C3 – Esteban Fernando Martinez Orduña, who shared personal insights of their transnational experience. Then there were 2 professionals in adult’s education and 2 senior artisan who took part in the local piloting activities who told about their learning experienced and their impressions related to IO2 and IO3.

After lunch it continues with presenting the IO2 – particularly the long path of change after each piloting activity – and IO3, with a demonstration of how to create an account.
The fourth session actively involved all participants split in 3 working groups – moderated by Giorgia Basile, Maria Arnaiz and Esteban Orduña, who tried to find possible applications of the project results, follow up activities and future projects.
The main takeaways from there were:

  • educational programs should adopt experiential and practical approaches, allowing artisans to engage with digital tools directly
  • is very important to create awareness about the cultural and economic value of crafts and promoting the preservation of artisanal traditions
  • Spanish artisans recognise the value of cultural exchanges, online platforms, and government support in organizing sales processes and connecting with EU customers
  • Promoting traditional techniques and craftsmanship unique to Spain is a significant focus. Artisans believe that emphasizing the authenticity and history behind their craft can attract customers seeking genuine and traditional products
  • Educational programs should adopt experiential and practical approaches, allowing artisans to engage with digital tools directly
  • European identity can be shaped by traditional crafts, which are an integral part of the continent’s history

3 days after the event Mad for Europe sent to all participants an e-mail to thank for their participation and kindly ask them to fill the evaluation questionnaire. Processing these Mad for Europe concluded that all of them appreciated the events in terms of content (topics, covered, speakers, the IOs quality, logistic etc.) – al participants scored ”excellent” or ”very good”. Some participants (12 persons) considered the report between presentations and practical activities as ”good”, the others gave also ”excellent” or ”very good”. All participants agreed (18 participants ”strongly” agreed) that the project is a successful one and that the artisans (and anyone who creates hand made products) are an important part of national heritage and should be more promoted and encouraged, also that both public an private structures should work together to ensure that traditional crafts continue to thrive in the digital age.