Craftsmen learn counting and generating ideas

Association of Ethnocultural Centers "ECHO", University of Eastern Finland and other Northern Crafts ID project partners continue the capacity building programme "Business Skills for Craftsmen". Out of 200 applications, 75 artisans from the Republic of Karelia in Russia, North Karelia and the Oulu region in Finland were selected for the program. Due to the pandemic, most of the programme's events in 2020 and 2021 take place in the format of webinars. However, on February 12 and 13, Russian participants have the opportunity to meet in person at a training on financial management and crafts in the context of creative economy. Of course, the event will take place with all the necessary precautions.

It is true that the work of craftsmen is run by creativity. Therefore, in order to become successful businessmen, they often have to master complex knowledge and develop skills across sectors. The international project Northern Crafts ID provides them with such opportunity thanks to a strong team of qualified experts. The spring component of the programme will allow craftworkers to immerse themselves in the world of finances and taxes, internationalisation and service design.

Moreover, Russian trainees at the in-person seminar will touch upon the mentality of entrepreneurship and the interaction of artisans with travel companies. 2021 is the International Year of the Creative Economy where intellectual capital is the key. Handicrafts naturally belong to the creative industries, and therefore, a large training block will be devoted to the generation of creative ideas, the success of creating and promoting new products. The famous Russian reenactor of kokoshniks, Juhann Nikadimus, will speak about the craft development ecosystem. The capacity building programme will continue through May 2021. 

Picture by Yulia Utysheva