CRAFT-ACT. Crafting Resilience Future and Talent through Actions promoting Traditional Culture

<< Background >>We applied for the CRAFT ACT project to address the pressing needs of economic empowerment, social integration, and cultural preservation among migrant communities in Italy and Turkey, particularly women from marginalized backgrounds. Recognizing the barriers these communities face in accessing stable employment, social support, and meaningful cultural expression, we developed a program that combines traditional craft training—pottery and embroidery—with essential financial education and entrepreneurship skills. Our goal was to equip participants with practical skills for potential income generation while fostering social connections through shared cultural activities. Through workshops, hands-on training, and mentorship, we created pathways for financial independence, community engagement, and cultural exchange, promoting resilience and self-sufficiency among participants in alignment with Erasmus+ priorities.<< Objectives >>Through implementing the CRAFT ACT project, we aimed to achieve economic empowerment, social cohesion, and cultural preservation for migrant communities, especially women, in Italy and Turkey. Our goals centered on equipping participants with skills in traditional crafts, like pottery and embroidery, alongside financial literacy and entrepreneurship training to foster pathways toward self-employment and economic stability. We sought to create a supportive environment for learning and growth, where participants could connect across cultural lines, share experiences, and build confidence. Additionally, we wanted to elevate the cultural heritage of these crafts, encouraging participants to blend their own traditions with those of their host countries, promoting mutual understanding and social inclusion. Ultimately, the project aimed to empower participants to leverage their skills for financial independence, create lasting community networks, and contribute meaningfully to society.<< Implementation >>The project aimed to empower adult migrants by teaching traditional crafts such as pottery and embroidery, which not only enhanced their chances of social inclusion but also helped preserve their cultural heritage. These traditional crafts served as a bridge to connect migrants with their roots while integrating into a new society.Implementation: What activities did you implement in your project?3 workshops of Pottery and ceramics (2 in Turkiye and 1 in Italy)3 workshops of Embroidery (1 in Turkiye and 1 in Italy)3 workshops of Entrepreneurship and Financial education (2 in Turkiye and 1 in Italy)2 final exhibitions (1 in Turkiye and 1 in Italy)<< Results >>-92 women (32 in Italy and 60 in Turkiye) that have completed one of the two workshops on pottery and embroidery-133 adults that have completed a training in entrepreneurship and financial education in the field of traditional craft (19 in Italy and 114 in Turkiye)-Two toolkit-guides on Entrepreneurship and Financial Education (1 for Italy in Italian, 3 for Turkey in English, Turkish and Arabic) (in E+ Results)-Three sets of glossaries on pottery, embroidery and financial education with key terms explained (in Italian, Turkish and Arabic) (in E+ Results)-8 sets of videos (4 for Turkiye and 4 for Italy) produced and disseminated, illustrating the history and impact of pottery, embroidery and providing a basic overview on key features of Entrepreneurship (in E+ Results)-Website dedicated to the project with information and project materials (in E+ Results)