The DigiCraft Plus project, subtitled “From Field to Screen: Rural Craft in the Digital Age Plus,” officially kicked-off in March 2026 during the 1^st Transnational Partner Meeting.

On March 25-26, 2026, the international consortium consisting of partners ADESOS (Spain), CEDA (Slovakia), and EDINET (Cyprus) gathered in Nitra, Slovakia, for the initial in-person meeting of this Erasmus+ initiative that aims to bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern digital tools. Partners from Spain and Cyprus received a warm welcome from the host CEDA at premises of the AgrobioTech Research Centre which provided a high-tech backdrop for this project focused on digital transformation.

Setting the Foundations, Aligning on the Objectives

The two-day agenda of the kick-off meeting was packed with strategic planning. Partners began by affirming on the project’s core objectives and expected results. Next part of the agenda was dedicated to a deep dive into the technical preparation of training materials and ICT tools. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the project timeline in order to ensure an agile execution and meeting of the final deadline in December 2026.

Key Outcomes, Building the Road to Success

The meeting resulted in three major milestones that will guide the project’s implementation:

1. Finalized Official Agreements & Protocols: Partners reviewed and consolidated cooperation agreements and budget management protocols. To ensure smooth international collaboration, the consortium established clear communication channels, including a centralized official email and a workspace for technical documents.
2. Formalization of Working Committees: To maintain high standards, two specialized bodies were established: the Management Committee, focused on quality control and dissemination, and the Technical-Pedagogical Committee, responsible for development of the 100-hour hybrid training itinerary and methodologies.
3. A Vision for Digital Infrastructure: The partnership reviewed the initial design of the project’s digital ecosystem. This included mainly the official website and the International Stakeholder Platform (Observatory), which will serve as a hub for external collaboration and an exchange of best practices.

Strengthening Ties Beyond the Meeting Room

While the working sessions at AgrobioTech Research Centre were highly productive, the partnership was strengthened also through informal cooperation. The partners enjoyed a social dinner during which they celebrated the start of their collaboration and built important personal connections necessary for a successful transnational project.

What’s Next?

The DigiCraft Plus project now moves toward the development of training modules focused on basic digital skills, 3D modeling, and e-commerce. All partners are beyond excited to translate rural crafts into digital forms, empowering vulnerable artisans – especially women and young people – to share their unique heritage with a global digital audience.