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REGIONAL PLATFORM FOR ARTISANS

"Building competitiveness through cooperation and innovation: Accessing export markets for handicraft products"

E-Shop: CraftArt4You

The E-shop is an electronic platform where artisans can present their handicraft collections of the cross-border network. They can sell their products online and help to reach new markets and increase artisan’s sales and revenue gains.

Please visit the CraftArt4You shop on the following link: http://craftart4you.com

Also, check this Online Catalogue BCCI with some of the most unique products represented on the E-shop.

Activties

 

The project will address the common constraints in the handicraft sector related to lack of technical
skills for upgrading traditional design with modern trends, insufficient production capacity and
insufficient use of modern promotional approaches and sales channels.
By working closely with relevant stakeholders the project will promote export to international markets.

The main project activities already completed are:

  • Market research of the handicraft export market available through online selling;
  • Research on the potentials, challenges and support services for mass handicraft design and production
    in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia-Kosovo cross-border areas;
  • Developing and delivery of 6 courses and coaching for new artisanal handicraft design, branding,
    production techniques, online promotion and selling for 166 participants;
  • Establishing a network and export support structures for handicraft artisans;
  • Preparing a business plan, visual identity and cause-related marketing approach for accessing mass
    handicraft export markets;
  • Developing an export-oriented web-platform (online shop) for the handicraft collections.

Database of artisans

During individual meetings, interviews, organizing 2 assessment meetings and 2 focus groups with individual handicraft producers and micro-enterprises in the sector, delivery of 6 practical and theoretical training, the project team established a connection with a large number of artisans in North Macedonia and Kosovo. This section of the web site will contain the contacts of all the artisans (more than 200) from both countries involved in the project in the past period. This data will increase as the number of new artisans interested in online selling via craftart4you.com increases.

“Craft art for you”- New Year’s Bazaar

According to the activities of our project “Building competitiveness through cooperation and innovation: Accessing export markets for handicraft products”, we will organize face-to-face (traditional) selling exhibition of select products in North Macedonia. 10 artisans who were previously part of the 6 trainings and coaching program will participate in this exhibition with their own products.

We are inviting you to visit our Bazaar that will take place in Hotel Continental in Skopje, North Macedonia, on 14.12.2019 starting at 11:00h until 18:00h.

Craft art beyond Borders

We are pleased to invite you to participate at the opening of the fair “Craft art beyond Borders” organized in honor of the End of The Year holidays, as part of the Cross-Border Programme Kosovo – North Macedonia throughout the project “Building competitiveness through cooperation and innovation: Accessing export markets for handicraft products’’,  a project funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

  • Handmade products of 10 artisans who were part of the project and selected by the Coaching program
  • Launch of the Online Platform “craftart4you”

This event is scheduled for December 13, 2019 starting at 2pm at Restaurant ‘Planet’ – Gjilan.

Coaching program

Coaching encompassed two steps: a) training of coaches to implement the coaching program and b) coaching of selected artisans. The coaches were selected from the trainers of each the courses outlined above, as a continuation of the theoretical knowledge and skill to the practical results and success of the trained participants. In addition, the project partners (ABC Creation and Advocacy Center) invited to apply for coaching training. The 10 candidates were trained as they can support those candidates who will design products with high market potential and are willing to transfer obtained skills into business. Continue reading “Coaching program”

Sixth training – Training for “Basic eco-friendly handicraft production and packaging”

In the period from March 5th to 7th, in Hotel “Planet” – Gjilan, training for “Basic eco-friendly handicraft production and packaging ” was held, in which participated 27 artisans, 17 from Kosovo and 10 from the Republic of Northern Macedonia. After the completion of the three-day training, the following segments regarding the realization and evaluation were summarized:

Program and objectives of the training

The training program was designed in accordance with the new trends in the design of jewelry, fashion accessories and creative products, as well as the current trends for making creative packaging using ecological materials. Continue reading “Sixth training – Training for “Basic eco-friendly handicraft production and packaging””

Fifth training – Training for “Basic eco-friendly handicraft production and packaging”

In the period from March 5th to 7th, in Hotel “Planet” – Gjilan, training for “Basic eco-friendly handicraft production and packaging” was held, in which participated 28 artisans, 18 from Kosovo and 10 from the Republic of Northern Macedonia. After the completion of the three-day training, the following segments regarding the realization and evaluation were summarized:

Program and objectives of the training

The training program was designed in accordance with the new trends in the design of jewelry, fashion accessories and creative products, as well as the current trends for making creative packaging using ecological materials. Continue reading “Fifth training – Training for “Basic eco-friendly handicraft production and packaging””

Fourth training – Training for “Innovating handicraft design in line with expectations of customers from developed markets”

In the period from February 13th to 15th, in Hotel “Planet” – Gjilan, training for “Innovative design in accordance with the expectations of the consumers from the developed markets” was held, in which participated 30 artisans, 14 from Kosovo and 16 from the Republic of North Macedonia. After the completion of the three-day training, the following segments regarding the realization and evaluation were summarized:

Program and objectives of the training

The training “Innovating handicraft design in line with expectations of customers from developed markets” was conceived in such a way as to enable the acquisition of basic knowledge about the design, its basic elements and principles as a basic and starting point in creating attractive innovative designs that will be in accordance with the expectations of potential buyers from developed markets. Continue reading “Fourth training – Training for “Innovating handicraft design in line with expectations of customers from developed markets””

This website was created and maintained with financial support from the European Union, within the project "Building competitiveness through cooperation and innovation: Accessing export markets for handicraft products". Its contents are the sole responsibility of the project implementers – ZBK Creation, the Association Zenith and the Advocacy Training and Resource Center – and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.