The ecological transition is not only a global priority but also a concrete opportunity for craft businesses to innovate, grow, and strengthen their communities. To support this transformation, our organization and partners have developed, within the Erasmus+ project GREEN CRAFT UP, a Toolkit for the Green Transition and Sustainability Skills in the Craft Sector: an accessible and practical resource tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and vocational education providers.
📘 About the Toolkit
The toolkit offers clear and comprehensive guidance to help craft enterprises and trainers address sustainability challenges. Among its contents:
- An introduction to the Green Transition, explaining what it means for craft workers and how it will impact jobs and business models.
- Key concepts such as the European Green Deal, Circular Economy, and Natural Capital, presented in a way that is easy to understand and apply.
- An overview of GreenComp, the European Sustainability Competence Framework, which identifies 12 essential competences across 4 areas: values, complexity, futures, and action.
- Practical examples of green jobs and skills, such as solar panel installation, energy-efficient building retrofitting, and sustainable materials management.
- Concrete steps for SMEs, including how to measure ecological footprint, choose sustainable materials, improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, and communicate transparently with customers.
- Educational activities and exercises, from quizzes and brainstorming sessions to role-playing and simulations, designed to engage both trainers and learners in building sustainability competences.
The toolkit is meant to be flexible and adaptable, supporting trainers, advisors, and business owners in designing learning pathways and sustainability strategies.
👥 Peer-Learning in Pescara
To prepare for the toolkit’s use and future testing, project partners gathered in Pescara, Italy, on July 3rd and 4th for a dedicated peer-learning workshop.
During this meeting, trainers and project teams explored the toolkit’s content in depth and discussed how to adapt it to different local contexts in Italy and Germany. The event included:
- Collaborative sessions to share ideas on integrating the toolkit into vocational training.
- Practical exercises simulating how trainers can use the materials with SME employees.
- Planning sessions for the upcoming pilot phase, where the toolkit will be tested directly with craft businesses in both countries.
The workshop was also a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership, exchange best practices, and build a shared vision for supporting the green transition in the craft sector.
🌱 Next Steps
The pilot testing with companies in Germany and Italy will begin in the coming months. Insights from this phase will help refine the toolkit and ensure it meets the real needs of craft enterprises and trainers.