CrafDi

Project name:	“Crafting Digitally: Bridging Artisans to Global Market”
Abbreviation:	CrafDi
Project number:	2024-2-LV01-KA210-ADU-000293470
Project objective:	The project aims to enhance the digital skills of rural artisans and create an online platform to help them enter the global market. This will enable artisans to reach a wider audience and improve their economic situation. At the same time, the project will promote the exchange of knowledge and traditional craftsmanship between artisans from Latvia, Greece, and Turkey, ensuring the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. In Latvia – at Luznava Manor, multiple training sessions will be organized for artisans, providing practical examples and recommendations for working with digital platforms.
Project implementation time:	01.01.2025.-31.12.2025.
Financing:	The total project budget for three partners is € 60,000; Fully funded by the European Union's ERASMUS+ program
Project managing partner:	In Latvia, the project is implemented by the Malta Rural Territory Union Administration of Rezekne Municipality
Project partners:	Latvija – Rēzeknes novada pašvaldības Maltas apvienības pārvalde Grieķija – Helix Social Innovation Hub Turcija – Lifelong Education Science Art Culture Association (LESACA)
Project activities in social media:	https://www.crafdihub.com https://www.facebook.com/Rezeknesnovads http://www.luznavasmuiza.lv/ https://www.facebook.com/luznavasmuiza
Contact person:	Project manager: Iveta Balčūne e-mail: [email protected]

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The State Education Development Agency (hereinafter – VIAA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (VIAA) can be held responsible for them.

Project “Crafting Digitally: Bridging Artisans to Global Market”

Lūznava Manor (Latvia), Helix Social Innovation Hub (Greece, www.helixhub.eu), and the Lifelong Education Science Art Culture Association (LESACA, Turkey, www.hayatboyuegitim.org) have launched the ERASMUS+ project CrafDi – “Crafting Digitally: Bridging Artisans to the Global Market.”

The project's goal is to enhance the digital skills of rural artisans and develop an online platform to help them enter the global market. By doing so, artisans will be able to reach a wider customer base and improve their economic well-being.

One of CrafDi’s key activities is set to take place in the second half of this year at Lūznava Manor, Latvia, where artisans will participate in training sessions designed to provide hands-on examples and practical advice on working with digital platforms.

With three countries and three cultures coming together, the project will also foster the exchange of knowledge and traditional craftsmanship skills among artisans from Latvia, Greece, and Turkey, contributing to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

The project will run until December 31, 2025, and is fully funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ program. The total allocated budget for the three partner organizations is €60,000.

Stay updated on CrafDi activities:

https://www.facebook.com/luznavasmuiza
https://www.facebook.com/Rezeknesnovads
https://muiza.mozello.lv/projects/crafdi-erasmus-small-scale-partnerships/
https://rezeknesnovads.lv/iedzivotajiem/projekti/digitalas-prasmes-un-amatnieciba-tuvinot-amatniekus-globalajam-tirgum/

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The State Education Development Agency (hereinafter – VIAA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (VIAA) can be held responsible for them.

MORE ABOUT PROJECT (in Latvian)

The Maltas Apvienības Administration is implementing the Erasmus+ project “Digital Skills and Crafts: Bringing Artisans Closer to the Global Market.”

The project aims to enhance artisans’ digital skills and create an online platform with step-by-step tutorials and practical materials to help artisans access international markets, reach more clients, and improve their livelihoods.

Partners from Latvia, Greece, and Turkey are involved. Following surveys of local artisans to identify learning needs, materials are being developed on digital tools for business development, digital marketing, and international cooperation.

In mid-October, partners will gather at Lūznava Manor to refine and test materials. At the end of the year, practical training will be organized for local artisans, covering digital sales trends, platforms, international shipping preparation, online promotion, and customer communication.

Project leader Iveta Balčūne emphasizes:

“Our goal is to provide artisans with practical, modern tools that open doors to new opportunities locally and internationally, while preserving and promoting the unique craft traditions of Latgale.”

The project (No. 2024-2-LV01-KA210-ADU-000293470) will continue until the end of this year. The total budget for three partner organizations is EUR 60,000, fully funded by the Erasmus+ programme.

Madara Bērtiņa,
Project Communication Specialist

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The State Education Development Agency (hereinafter – VIAA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (VIAA) can be held responsible for them.

On 8 December, an online workshop for artisans took place.

Participants: artisans from Latvia, Greece, and Turkey.

Programme:

Presentation of digital platforms for artisans
PDF guides and video tutorials for artisans
Experience stories

Lecturers: Iveta Balčūne, Daiga Laizāne, Mecnun Karadağ, Sotiria Bakalakou, Vasilis Kourkounas

The training is conducted within the ERASMUS+ project “CrafDi – Digital Skills and Craftsmanship.”
The project is implemented by Lūznava Manor together with partners from Greece and Turkey.
The project’s goal is to strengthen local artisans’ digital skills, thereby helping them successfully operate in the global market and reach more customers.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The State Education Development Agency (hereinafter – VIAA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (VIAA) can be held responsible for them.

On 2 December, the second day of the project’s on-site training took place, dedicated to experience exchange among artisans, as well as inspirational stories and practical advice on sales, brand building, and visibility in the digital environment.

Oskars Maculevičs, owner of the coffee roastery “KUUP”, shared his experience, emphasizing that producing a product is only half of the task: “Producing is not the problem — selling is harder. You need to understand who truly needs your product.” He spoke about choosing to focus on the local market and maintaining high product quality. As an important factor, Oskars also highlighted the “human face” of a company — the smaller the business, the more visible its owners should be.

Liāna Merņaka also shared her experience, speaking about selling on the Etsy platform and modern digital trends. She noted: “If craftsmanship is developed as a business, it must be approached analytically — trends and market demand must be monitored.” Liāna emphasized the importance of deliberately choosing a target market, creating product value, ensuring high visual quality, and regularly reminding customers about oneself. As a new trend, she mentioned that it is increasingly important for companies or products to be discoverable not only through Google, but also via artificial intelligence tools.

Ceramic artist Viola Anna Bīriņa shared her experience of working in a small family business, where all responsibility lies in their own hands: “This allows quick adaptation and changing direction according to demand.” She emphasized that “Cukrasāta” tableware “speaks for itself,” which is why advertising often spreads through word of mouth. Currently, the order calendar is filled until March, and the products are sold on-site at “Cukrasāta,” at fairs, in Latvian artisan shops, and also abroad.

Training participants acknowledged that the day provided practical knowledge, inspiration, and confidence to work more actively with their brand and sales in the digital environment.

The training was held within the ERASMUS+ project “CrafDi – Digital Skills and Craftsmanship.”
The project is implemented by Lūznava Manor in cooperation with partners from Greece and Turkey.

Photos: Daiga Laizāne, Madara Bērtiņa

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The State Education Development Agency (hereinafter – VIAA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (VIAA) can be held responsible for them.

On November 26, crafstmen from all over Latgale gathered at Lūznava Manor for ERASMUS+ project “CrafDi” training on digital marketing and entering global markets.

The day flew by Lecturers Katrīna Bartkeviča and Marta Vorkale from Sistering, together with Daiga Laizāne, shared insights useful both for beginners in social media and for those who create and publish content on a daily basis. In the afternoon, participants rolled up their sleeves and got to work themselves - taking photos, filming, searching for shots and angles, testing out their newly gained knowledge, and creating dynamic content that will help artisans become more visible. In the training evaluation forms, all participants gave the lecturers 5 out of 5 stars. We’re delighted you enjoyed it, and we hope the knowledge you gained brings great results.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The State Education Development Agency (hereinafter – VIAA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (VIAA) can be held responsible for them.

Photos from project archive

The third meeting with project partners in person Luznava Manor, Latvia

16.10.-19.10.2025.

Lūznava, The third meeting with project partners in person

16.10.-19.10.2025.

From October 16–19, an Erasmus+ project CrafDi “Digital Skills and Crafts: Bringing Artisans Closer to the Global Market” Learning, Teaching and Training (LTT) event took place at Lūznava Manor, gathering participants from Latvia, Greece, and Turkey.

Video materials, a website, and step-by-step guides were developed within the project and were tested and refined during the meeting to ensure maximum usefulness for artisans aiming to enter international markets.

Training sessions were led by partners from Helix – Social Innovation Hub (Greece), Hayat Boyu Eğitim Bilim Sanat Kültür Derneği (Turkey), and Lūznava Manor (Latvia), under project leader Iveta Balčūne. Marketing and communication studio Sistering and digital content specialist Daiga Laizāne also participated and will conduct practical training for local artisans in December.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The State Education Development Agency (hereinafter – VIAA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (VIAA) can be held responsible for them.

Photos from project archive

The second meeting with project partners in person Athens, Greece

19.06.-20.06.2025.

Athens, The second meeting with project partners in person

19.06.-20.06.2025.

Partners from Greece, Turkey, and Latvia evaluated progress and agreed on the next implementation steps. Iveta Balčūne, manager of Lūznava Manor and project leader of CrafDi, represented Latvia in Athens.

On the first day, partners presented developed materials, including a handbook and video tutorials designed to help artisans and artists improve sales of their creative work in digital environments.

Project representatives also met with Professor Panagiaris Giorgos from the joint postgraduate programme “Museum Studies” of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the University of West Attica. He is an internationally recognized expert in cultural heritage preservation, with over 80 publications and extensive international project experience. Cooperation was agreed upon to integrate project results into university educational initiatives.

On June 20, the meeting continued at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Greece, focusing on webinars, training activities, and upcoming implementation phases in Latvia, Greece, and Turkey.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The State Education Development Agency (hereinafter – VIAA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (VIAA) can be held responsible for them.

Photos from project archive