A research team from the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) has prepared the report “Report on Legal and Policy Frameworks of Crafts in Europe: Approaches at the National Level” within the international research project “Transforming Craft Knowledge into Sustainable, Inclusive and Economically Viable Cultural Heritage in Europe” (Tracks4Crafts). The report analyses how crafts are supported, regulated, and developed across different countries as part of cultural heritage and the creative economy.
The aim of the report is to provide an in-depth overview of how craft skills and knowledge in Europe are protected, transmitted to future generations, and adapted to contemporary social, economic, and cultural contexts. Particular attention is given to the role of crafts in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, the development of the creative industries, as well as issues related to the professional status of craftspeople and the protection of intellectual property.
The report also addresses the diversity of craft definitions across Europe, different governance models and support instruments for the craft sector, and questions related to the professional status of craftspeople and intellectual property protection. The overview offers valuable insights for cultural heritage policymakers, cultural institutions, heritage professionals, legal experts, education specialists, and craftspeople.
Within the study, researchers conducted a comparative analysis of policy and legal documents in 30 European countries, carried out a quantitative survey of cultural policy and UNESCO contact points, and conducted interviews with policy and legal experts from Belgium, Greece, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and Switzerland. In addition, the periodic reports of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage were analysed, where crafts are considered one of the domains of intangible cultural heritage.
The research was carried out by a team from the Institute of Culture and Arts of the Latvian Academy of Culture: Anita Vaivade, Baiba Tjarve, Anda Laķe, Ieva Zemīte, Līga Ābele, Lote Katrīna Cērpa, and guest researcher Vadims Mantrovs.
On 16 April 2026 at 16:00, a seminar titled “Craft Policy in Europe: Definitions, Policy Instruments and Regulatory Frameworks” will take place at the Latvian Academy of Culture’s Gara māja (Miera Street 58a). During the event, researchers will present the key findings of the study and discuss approaches to the development of craft policy in Europe together with researchers, cultural heritage and craft practitioners, and policymakers.
The report is available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ikkSwtkmwVeXVO2Ex1DEMu5w38Yc-KhK/view?usp=drive_link
The report annex is available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DSPBrfp-1zInoPz3YCRe21j8qhCTH5r6/view?usp=drive_link
More information about the Tracks4Crafts project can be found here:
https://tracks4crafts.eu/
The international project “Transforming crafts knowledge for a sustainable, inclusive and economically viable heritage in Europe” (Tracks4Crafts) is funded by the EU Research and Innovation programme Horizon Europe (Grant Agreement No. 101094507). The Latvian Academy of Culture is one of the project’s 15 international partners.
