Crafts as a driver of innovation

What policies are needed to enable crafts in Košice to take advantage of the current technological revolution for growth, development and greater competitiveness?

Crafts in Slovakia have a rich history. From pottery to textile making, to woodcarving – the art of folk masters has persisted for centuries. In today’s digital age, many of these skills are on the verge of oblivion. But there is much more to this heritage than a nostalgic legacy of the past.

As part of the pan-European project EKIP, a workshop was held in Košice on 26 March in the premises of Kasárni to set a new approach to the design of policies to promote innovation in culture and creative industries in the environment of European cities. The EKIP project involves 17 international partners, including European cities such as Rotterdam, Lund and Saint Etienne, with Bratislava (MIB) and Košice (CIKE) representing Slovakia.

During the workshop in Košice, the aim was to test proposals for possible policies to support the innovative CCI sector in the city. However, the city is understood not only as a city administration, but as a broad ecosystem of CCI companies, professionals, educational institutions and institutions in charge of innovation support, research and NGOs. During the moderated process, experts from Košice defined the innovation ecosystem in the city, identified actors in the sector – those who are important in creating an environment for CCIs with regard to innovation, created models of the impact of different policy instruments (strategies, support models, regulations, etc.), and developed a set of policy instruments that could be used to promote innovation in the city, which could be used to support the development of the CCIs.) on the development of innovation, and finally, together they produced a qualified assessment, i.e. what impact the proposed policy would have in the environment of Košice, for which stakeholders and to what extent, in what timeframe, etc. The result is a practical and exact analysis of the impact of a certain proposed policy for the creation and promotion of an innovation environment for CCIs in a specific city.

The workshop, moderated by Michal Hladký, Director of the EIT Culture & Creativity Co-Location Centre East, explored the possible impacts of policies that support innovation in craft and craft production, as well as their impact on increasing the innovation potential of CCIs and other sectors in Košice.

Craft-led innovation isn’t just about preserving traditions, it’s about adapting them

The workshop on 26 March brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore and define the potential of craft as a driver of innovation. The core concept of craft-led innovation encompasses a wide range of possibilities, including societal change, the development of new materials, and the implementation of new market approaches. Workshop participants recognized the critical importance of fostering innovation in the craft sector for several key reasons, and agreed that supporting the craft sector has the potential to deliver a number of major benefits:

• Economic growth: creating new jobs and supporting local entrepreneurs.
• Protecting cultural heritage: preserving traditional skills for future generations.
• Mental Health: Craft work as a form of therapy and self-actualization.
• Sustainability: a return to local production with less environmental impact.
• Community development: strengthening local ties and identity.

Despite the challenges facing craft and artisanal production overall, community actors and relevant organisations also identified several opportunities that can be exploited:

• Expansion into foreign markets: demand for handmade, sustainable and ethically produced products is growing worldwide.
• Craft tourism: workshops and experiential activities can attract tourists and create new economic opportunities.
• Digital transformation: e-commerce and digital marketing can dramatically expand the reach of artisans.
• Institutional support: the commitment of KSK and other organisations provides a strong foundation for the success of the initiative.

Success for change relies on the collaboration of diverse organizations working together to create a functional ecosystem

Workshop participants and experts from the craft sector identified government and public institutions as key actors – in particular the Košice Self-Governing Region (KSR), which they identified as the main coordinator and facilitator of innovation policies in the craft sector, with responsibility for providing infrastructure and financial support. The Innovation Centre of the Košice Region (ICKK) supports business development, technology integration and entrepreneurship in the creative sector. The Creative Centre of the Košice Region (KCKSK) provides networking opportunities, training programmes and incubation support for craft enterprises. An important role is played by educational and research institutions such as the Faculty of Arts, TUKE (Technical University of Košice), which contributes research, technical expertise and supports collaboration with designers and engineers. The Jakoby

School of Art Industry in Košice trains young craftsmen in both traditional and contemporary techniques. Textile Centre o.z. specialises in education in textile crafts, innovation in sustainable textile production and the integration of tradition and modernity. RINK (incubator for artisans) connects traditional artisans with markets and modern business practices. At the same time, craft and creative industry organisations such as Creative Industry Košice (CIKE), which brings together politics, business and the creative sectors, promotes international cooperation and project development. MAME Market and SAShE.sk provide important sales channels and raise the visibility of artisans through their online and physical platforms. GemArt – Gemerský umělecký institut, Atelier MYtkame, Štúdio Švarc s.r.o. and other individual craft businesses and design studios contribute specific expertise and drive innovation within their respective fields such as ceramics and textiles. Finally, organisations such as Tabačka Kulturfabrik, Dizajn DEPO, Business Košice and VisitKošice provide a space for collaboration, networking and promotion of crafts and creative industries.

The proposed policy interventions are designed to address existing challenges and take advantage of identified opportunities

During the workshop, participants agreed on some of the key actions needed:

• Creation of a platform: the creation of a common event or space, including a potential digital platform, is considered essential for regional craft players to connect, share resources (human, technical, spatial) and collectively present their work, both domestically and internationally. This platform is intended to address the current lack of awareness within the regional craft scene itself.

• Infrastructure development: strengthening existing cultural and craft institutions, including the development of shared service centres and co-working spaces, is a priority. These centres would provide artisans with access to specialist resources such as legal and financial advice, grant support and marketing assistance, thereby reducing operating costs and encouraging collaboration.

• Market expansion: increasing the regional and international visibility of local craft producers through exhibitions, online platforms and trade missions is key to economic growth. The development of a regional e-commerce platform, potentially building on existing platforms such as SAShE.sk or reviving the “CulturalCake” concept, is seen as vital to reach wider markets.

• Education and up-skilling: working with universities and vocational schools to introduce innovative craft-focused programmes, together with craft incubators providing training in business models, marketing and digital sales, is essential to equip craftspeople with modern skills. There is also a focus on knowledge transfer between traditional craftspeople and younger designers.

• Brand building and certification: the development of a certification system for authentic Slovak craft products (regional brand) aims to increase their perceived value and export potential.

The expected impact of these interventions is significant and ranges from the short to the medium to the long term

The expected impact of these interventions is significant and ranges from the short to the medium to the long term. In the short term (up to 6 months), the focus is expected to be on developing an action plan and identifying available funding sources. The medium term (1-3 years) aims at creating a shared services centre, increasing visibility through marketing campaigns and fairs, as well as strengthening the education system with business training focused on crafts. And the long-term horizon (5+ years) aims at the ambition to achieve a 5% growth in the number of artisans, to build a strong regional and international presence, and to ensure the integration of the craft sector into mainstream economic and cultural policies.

Identified next steps to move forward include designating KSK as the lead organization to oversee and manage the initiative, establishing a shared services centre to provide basic support to artisans, building a digital sales platform or partnering with existing platforms, expanding trade fair and export initiatives to increase access to international markets, as well as strengthening training and skills development programs in collaboration with educational institutions.

Workshop participants agreed that if these interventions were not implemented, there could be a number of negative consequences – including declining competitiveness of Slovak crafts, declining incomes for craftspeople leading to business closures, loss of traditional craft techniques, weakening cultural identity, and declining community engagement.

Successful implementation of policy interventions, on the other hand, could lead to a significant revival of the craft sector, not only as a tourist attraction, but as a viable economic sector. With a 5% increase in the number of artisans, a significant increase in online sales, the development of export partnerships and greater collaboration with other creative industries, Slovakia could become a recognised centre of innovative craft.

The Craft-led Innovation Workshop in Košice represents only the first step in a strategic and comprehensive effort to revitalize the traditional craft sector by promoting innovation in various dimensions. The emphasis on collaboration, infrastructure development, market access, skills upgrading and strategic coordination, especially with the proposed KSK leadership, holds significant promise for transforming the craft sector into a key driver of regional economic and cultural prosperity. Workshop participants jointly developed a first version of a possible strategy to connect the rich cultural heritage with modern market demands. It is not just about preserving the past – it is about creating a future in which traditional skills and values find their place in the digital world.

The project is funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority is responsible for them.