Carlow County Council has today (19th August 2025) announced a new EU projected called Hands Across Generations – Preserving Intangible Heritage Through Intergenerational Craft Exchange which is a €400,000 European initiative dedicated to protecting and revitalising Europe’s traditional crafts. Running from September 2025 to August 2027 and funded under the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, the project will bring together partners from Ireland, Lithuania, Greece, Italy, Finland, Cyprus, and Spain to bridge the gap between older and younger artisans, safeguarding centuries-old skills while embedding them firmly in the modern economy.
Speaking at the project, Cllr. Ken Murnane, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, said:
“Carlow has a proud history of craftsmanship, and this project gives us an incredible opportunity to share that heritage with Europe while learning from other traditions. The crafts sector is more than just a cultural treasure – it is a driver of local employment, tourism, and enterprise. Through Hands Across Generations, we are not only ensuring that the skills of our master craftspeople are preserved, but also creating opportunities for young people to turn those skills into sustainable livelihoods. This is about cultural pride, community identity, and economic resilience. By linking tradition with innovation, we are building a bridge between our past and our future and ensuring that our heritage continues to create value for generations to come.”
At its heart, the project recognises that Europe’s cultural identity is woven into the fabric of its crafts. These skills, stories, and techniques—passed from master to apprentice over generations—are a living archive of creativity and heritage. Yet in an era of rapid technological and social change, such traditions risk being lost. Hands Across Generations seeks to change that by pairing the wisdom and experience of older artisans with the enthusiasm and creativity of younger makers. Older participants will receive targeted digital literacy training, enabling them to share their craft knowledge more widely, while vocational trainees will benefit from immersive mentorship that blends tradition with contemporary skills.
The programme will also integrate sustainability and eco-friendly entrepreneurship into craft training, ensuring that these revived traditions thrive in a responsible, forward-looking economy. From the development of a multilingual Digital Heritage Toolkit to local and European exhibitions showcasing collaborative work, and a European Summit on Sustainable Craft Entrepreneurship, the project’s activities are designed to have lasting impact. Over 120 artisans and vocational trainees will directly benefit, gaining the tools to innovate, grow, and connect with new markets.
John Shortall, County Librarian, welcomed the initiative as part of Carlow’s broader cultural mission “This project beautifully aligns with our work in preserving and celebrating Carlow’s cultural heritage. It shows that tradition and modernity can go hand in hand, and that through creativity, learning, and community connection, we can pass on not just skills, but the sense of identity and belonging that comes with them.”
Hands Across Generations is part of a growing portfolio of ambitious EU-funded initiatives led by Carlow County Council. Recent projects include InnoCom, an Interreg Europe programme focused on fostering open innovation and collaborative business models; Craft Works 4.0, funded under Creative Europe, which explores the integration of new technologies into traditional craft to enhance competitiveness; and the Council’s involvement in the Enterprise Europe Network, connecting local businesses with global market opportunities. Together, these projects demonstrate Carlow’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration.
Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise at Carlow County Council, emphasised the economic potential of the crafts sector:
“EU projects like Hands Across Generations bring resources, expertise, and international partnerships that simply wouldn’t be possible otherwise. They give us the opportunity to connect Carlow’s communities and enterprises with peers across Europe, share knowledge, and develop innovative solutions that have a lasting local impact. These projects are investments in skills, sustainability, and economic growth, but they also strengthen our identity as part of a vibrant European network.”
For further information contact Lisa Hutton on 059/9129783 or e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie
