Craeft, proud partner and initiator of the CRAFTOUR Initiative, warmly invites you to two CRAFTOUR conferences bringing together research, policy, and practice to place crafts at the heart of Europe’s heritage, innovation, and competitiveness. Calling for a European Craft Renaissance.
SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE: 29 January 2026 | University of Antwerp
Date: 29 January 2026
Time: 9.00 – 19.00 CET
Place: Kleine Kauwenberg 14, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
A full day of debate and knowledge exchange with leading researchers, academics and practitioners. Keynote: Prof. Gunnar Almevik (University of Gothenburg)
Roundtables
- Histories of value(s) and the governance of culture
- Digital imaginaries and crafts in transition
- Organisational transformation and resilience
GENERAL CONFERENCE: 30 January 2026 | European Parliament, Brussels
Date: 30 January 2026
Time: 9.00 – 13.00 CET
Place: Altiero Spinelli building, European Parliament
Room: Spinelli 1G2, first floor
Opened by Ms Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Member of the European Parliament, the conference highlights the growing political recognition of crafts within European debates on skills, innovation, territorial development and cultural heritage. Conclusions will be delivered by Ms Katja Reppel, representing the European Commission.
The event brings together a high-level and diverse group of participants from organisations including UNESCO, European Historic Houses, the European Crafts Alliance, Institut des Savoir-Faire Français, FFIGIA, Harris Tweed, as well as schools, universities and crafts organisations, while giving a central voice to craft professionals, whose expertise and experience are at the heart of the discussions.
Register by 26 January 2026
The General Conference is organised by the Craeft partner Mad’in Europe and hosted by the European Parliament.