On February 13–14, 2026, the kick-off meeting for the project “CRAFT-VET: Revitalizing Albanian Artisanal Heritage Through Smart Manufacturing and Circular Economy Skills” was successfully held, officially marking the start of the collaboration within the Erasmus+ program, Capacity Building in VET. The project is coordinated by Mother Teresa University in Skopje and aims to modernize vocational education in the field of craftsmanship. This project is coordinated by Assoc. Prof. Diturije Ismaili, PhD, Vice-Rector for International Relations.
On the first day, the general framework of the project, the governance structure, and the development of new curricula focused on digital competencies and innovations were presented. The partners also discussed the integration of advanced technologies into the educational process.
During the sessions, the concept of Smart Craft Labs was explored, including the use of 3D design and digital tools, as well as the connection between traditional crafts and the circular economy and environmental sustainability.
The second day focused on the implementation of training, labor market integration, entrepreneurship, and the dissemination and long-term sustainability strategy of the project. Key indicators and next steps for reporting were established.
The meeting featured open and constructive discussions among the partners, analyzing the interdependencies between work packages, communication mechanisms, reporting deadlines, and immediate steps for implementation. The partners shared their expertise and experiences, laying a strong foundation for effective collaboration throughout the entire project cycle.
CRAFT-VET aims to address the critical challenges faced by traditional crafts such as wood processing, textiles, filigree, and stone carving by connecting them with advanced technologies and principles of environmental sustainability. Through this transformative model, the project contributes to increasing the interest of younger generations and developing digital competencies in the craftsmanship sector.
The kick-off meeting confirmed the full commitment of the partners to successfully achieve the project’s goals and laid solid foundations for the implementation of planned activities in the coming months.