Location: Municipality of Mirditë
Implementation period: December 2024 – October 2025
Funding: UNOPS
Total Budget: €45,000
Implementing partners: N/A
The project “COOL Crafting – Creating Optimal Opportunities and Links between Traditional Crafts and Tourism in Mirdita” was implemented by Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe in frame of the EU4Culture programme, funded by the European Union, and implemented by UNOPS, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation. The project enhanced socio-economic opportunities for small businesses and vulnerable groups in Mirdita by revitalizing traditional crafts. It created cultural and economic opportunities by:
- Revitalizing crafts in Mirdita
- Supporting craft producers to access tourist markets through individualized business support programs
- Enabling unemployed youth and women to develop traditional craft skills through apprenticeships.
Through tailored support, traditional craft producers improved their production and marketing skills, while vulnerable youth and women gained hands-on experience and employable skills. The project strengthened the local craft sector and promoted its link to tourism, creating sustainable economic and cultural opportunities.
Target Groups
The project primarily supported:
- Traditional craft producers, particularly those with low productivity, limited technical support, and low incomes. These producers benefited from business support programs, product development assistance, and marketing training.
- Unemployed women and youth, at risk of poverty and social exclusion, who participated in apprenticeship programs to gain traditional craft skills and valuable work experience.
- Local stakeholders and tourism operators, engaged to create sustainable marketplaces and strengthen linkages between craft production and tourism.
Social Care & Impact
The project offered tailored programs and support, including:
- Product development support for 9 traditional craft producers
- Apprenticeship programs for 10 unemployed youth and women
- Marketing support, including digital skills and social media training
- Participation in cultural events and fairs to showcase local crafts
A total of 10 youth and women participated in the apprenticeship scheme, while 9 traditional craft producers engaged in 6 cultural events/fairs and received ongoing technical assistance and marketing support.
Key Achievements
- 9 traditional craft producers were provided with product development, in total 33 new products produced;
- Marketing training and personalized social media support provided to 9 craft producers;
- 10 unemployed youth and women participated in the 5-month apprenticeship scheme;
- 9 Traditional craft producers participated in 6 cultural events and fairs;
- 4 storytelling videos of craft producers produced and disseminated;
- 1 Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Municipality of Mirdita for craft marketplaces;
- 5 agreements signed with tourist operators.
