Partners Albania and other partner organizations from Europe and the Western Balkans started in January 2025 the implementation of the “Twin Transition for Social Enterprises in Arts and Craft Sector” (TtraSE) project.

TtraSE is designed to robustly address the skills gap and foster sustainable socio-economic development in the arts and crafts sector within the Western Balkans, with a focus on Social Economy Enterprises (SEEs).

TtraSE’s multifaceted strategy not only addresses the skills development needs but also strengthens the strategic capacities of VET/C-VET providers, fostering a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem that directly contributes to the sustainable socio-economic development of the arts and crafts sector in the Western Balkans. The overarching goal is to empower institutions with the tools and capabilities required to actively contribute to economic growth, job creation, and social advancement in the Western Balkans.

The designated target groups for TtraSE encompass a broad spectrum within the arts and crafts sector recognizing the importance of collaboration between social entrepreneurship and educational entities, fostering an integrated strategy for sustainable socio-economic development within the targeted regions: Social Entrepreneurs in Arts & Craft, VET/C-VET Trainers, Professionals and staff of VET/C-VET providers, including directors, managers, technical staff, researchers, heads of units, and individuals guiding the formulation of training strategies.

The project is co-funded by the European Union, through the Erasmus + programme and will be implemented within a 3-year timeframe.

PROJECT PARTNERS

The project is implemented by: MateraHub – Consorzio MateraHub Industrie Culturali e Creative (Italy); ARLAB – Agenzia Regionale LAB – Lavoro e Apprendimento Basilicata (Italy); CCIB – Cámara de Comercio Italiana de Barcelona (Spain); Diesis Network (Belgium); AKEP – Academy of Entrepreneurship (Greece); ACT Center – Albanian Center for Education Care and Training (Albania); Partners Albania – Partners Albania for Change and Development (Albania); ADP – Zid – Association for Democratic Prosperity (Montenegro); ALG – Association “Loyola-Gymnasium” (Kosovo); and CDP Globus – Center for the Development of Social Entrepreneurship (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS SO FAR

► Kick-off Meeting in Matera

The Kick-off meeting with project partners was held in Matera, in February 2025. Partners from the WB and EU countries gathered to begin shaping the tools and training that will empower social enterprises in the arts and crafts sector with green and digital skills.

► Transnational Partners Meeting (TPM) No.2 in Prizren

What happens when creative minds come together in Prizren? During September 11-12, 2026, project partners exchanged knowledge, shared experiences, and collaborated on innovative approaches to strengthening arts and crafts social enterprises.

► Transnational Partners Meeting (TPM) No.3 in Tirana

Over two days in April 21-22, 2026, partners aligned on the next steps of the project, focusing on refining the capacity-building guidelines; shaping training pathways for VET/C-VET providers; advancing the micro-credential approach; and strengthening dissemination and stakeholder engagement. Building on insights from Co-Creation Labs across the Western Balkans, the meeting marked an important step in turning research and collaboration into concrete project results.

► Co-creation Lab: Together for Digital and Green Arts and Crafts

Designed as an interactive event, the activity brought together in a hybrid format in Prizren (Kosovo) VET/C-VET trainers, experts, and Social Economy stakeholders in Arts and Crafts, to reflect and co-design solutions for the twin transition (green and digital transition) of the Social Enterprises in the Arts and Crafts sector. Held during the TPM2, the shared goal of the “Co-Creation Lab” was simple, but ambitious:

• Equip vocational education systems with the tools, knowledge, and strategies to better respond to the twin transition (TT) – the combined shift toward digitalisation and sustainability.
• Support social enterprises (SEs) in the arts & craft sector to adapt, grow, and stay competitive in rapidly changing labour markets.

► National Co-Creation Labs in the Western Balkan Countries

• National event in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Through a participatory approach and co-creation, participants had the opportunity to provide feedback, exchange examples of good practice and contribute to the improvement of the Guidelines so that they can better respond to the real needs of the sector.
• National event in Kosovo: From strengthening digital and green skills, to developing artisan-based curricula and supporting social enterprises, the workshop focused on real needs and actionable outcomes, emerging through collaboration, discussion, and innovation. The focus was on shaping more sustainable and future-ready practices in the arts & crafts sector.
• National event in Montenegro: From real challenges to practical solutions, this is what this Co-Creation Lab looked like. Through a design thinking approach, participants explored needs, developed ideas and worked together to shape solutions for the arts & crafts sector, for the twin transition is something we build together, in practice.
• National event in Albania: From identifying real challenges in the arts & crafts sector to brainstorming ideas, testing solutions and refining them together, this Co-Creation Lab was all about action, not theory. Participants worked side by side to shape practical guidelines that will support social enterprises in becoming more digital, sustainable and future-ready.

TTRASE PUBLICATIONS

Learn more about the TtraSE project in the official project website ttrase.eu and if you would like to be kept up to date and involved in the activities and opportunities offered by the project, register here.