Craft Academy in Greece: Sustainable Jewelry, Creative Futures & New Opportunities for Portuguese Crafters

Contemporary craft is changing rapidly. Today, being a crafter is no longer only about creating beautiful objects — it is also about sustainability, storytelling, circular practices, and the ability to connect creativity with new international opportunities.

That is exactly the idea behind the upcoming Craft Academy in Greece, organized by CUBE NGO within the framework of the European project CraftWork4All, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme.

The academy invites crafters, artists, designers, makers, and creative professionals from Portugal to explore how contemporary craft can become more ecological, innovative, and internationally connected.

This year, participants can choose between two different formats — one focused on hands-on sustainable jewelry making in Greece, and another dedicated to online learning about European grants and project opportunities for creatives.

From Waste to Wearable (In-Person Residency)

The first format is a 3-day in-person residency in Thessaloniki focused on sustainable jewelry design, recycled materials, and creative experimentation.

Participants will work with unconventional and reused materials while exploring the relationship between craft, sustainability, and storytelling. The residency encourages makers to rethink waste as a creative resource and to discover how contemporary jewelry can become both artistic and environmentally conscious.

The activities will take place at WEHub – Female Empowerment Hub in Thessaloniki, one of the city’s dynamic creative and entrepreneurship spaces.

At the same time, the residency also becomes an opportunity to discover Thessaloniki itself — a city with over 3,000 years of history, Byzantine heritage, vibrant creative life, and one of the most inspiring cultural atmospheres in Greece.

📅 Residency dates:30 September – 2 October 2026

📅 Application deadline:12 June 2026

Creative Futures (Online Seminar) 💻

The second format focuses on something many crafters and artists still struggle with — understanding how European funding and international collaboration actually work.

The 3-day online seminar Creative Futures is designed for creatives who want to:

• learn about EU funding opportunities,

• understand how Creative Europe and other grants function,

• develop project concepts,

• create stronger applications,

• and transform artistic ideas into real international collaborations.

For many independent crafters and artists, access to grants and international projects can become a crucial tool for sustainability and professional growth. The seminar aims to make these processes more accessible and less intimidating, especially for creatives working outside large institutions.

📅 Application deadline:31 July 2026

Practical Information

The academy will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece, with activities centered around WEHub and CUBE NGO spaces. Participants can easily access the venue by public transport, taxi, or on foot from the city center.

The infopack also includes:

• accommodation recommendations,

• public transportation information,

• airport transfer guidance,

• metro and bus details,

• and suggestions for exploring Thessaloniki’s cultural and creative scene.

Good luck to all Portuguese crafters and creatives applying

👉

APPLICATION