Output and Results

Highlights of Main Achievements

Developing 21 new Économusées is well achieved. The long-term results will show over time but so far job creation and job sustainability are achieved.  Some Économusée even report up to 50% more visitors than before they were transformed.

The introduction of the businesses to the Économusée concept, including the focus on the 6 components, the tourism products, the transformation process, and the world-wide networking, is strengthening for the business of the Artisan.

Another main delivery of during the Craft Reach project has been the 2nd International Économusée network conference in Bergen in October 2017. With 80 participants, all partner countries represented, and more than 30 Artisan businesses represented, the conference was a big success.

We have many examples of good results for job creation in the project, and most participating SMEs can report a positive effect. Testimonials collected from the partners and participants show 36 new jobs and 100 sustained jobs, which is well over the target.

Several models for artisan’s interacting in the local community have been tested out during the project. We have looked at how the artisan can utilize their own skills in developing their transformed products, as well as more experiential forms of presenting the business to visitors. We have also explored methods for attracting both young and old people to become engaged both as professionals and voluntary workers. The result is a collection of ten reports describing the different approaches we have tested out.

The exit strategy, how the work and the network of Artisans shall be organized after the Craft Reach Project, have been developed during the project. The result is that 3 partner countries (Canada, Norway, The Faroe Islands) now have national associations, 1 (Northern Ireland) has a very active partner organization, and the remaining 3 countries are considering options for future organizing.

Output T1.1 Artisan Business Support

Developing 21 new Économusées is well achieved. The long-term results will show over time but so far job creation and job sustainability are achieved.  Some Économusée report up to 50% more visitors than before they were transformed. We learned the importance to do a thorough feasibility study before decision to transform, where the most important factors for success is potential for more visitors, economic strength to develop the business, and support from the local community.

The introduction of the businesses to the Économusée concept, including the focus on the 6 components, the tourism products, the transformation process, and the world-wide networking, is strengthening for the business of the Artisan. In addition, the partners have performed a very close advising service during the project for the Artisan’s product development, business planning and funding scheme. The selection and the transformation process have been working well in this project, even though the process has been somewhat slower than planned from the beginning. Official opening events have been arranged for most of the new Économusées, however all of them are opened to the public, whereas a few will have their official opening ceremony after the project’s end.

The output documentation consists of:

  • 21 testimonials from all transformed businesses
  • 25 feasibility studies
  • Updated Brand guide
  • 2 Partnership Agreements
  • 1 Road Signs Process report

Supported Output Indicator: Number of new enterprises supported 

Output T1.2 Job Creation

One main target of the project was to create lasting jobs in peripheral areas, with all the extra challenges with few people available, less possibility for networking, long distance to market. We have many examples of good results for job creation in the project, where most participant SMEs can report a positive effect of the project. We have collected a statement from all partners about the number of jobs we can count into the results. We have also collected testimonials from a selection of the participant SMEs.

The reports show 36 new jobs and 100 sustained jobs, which is well over the target of 49.

The output documentation consists of:

  • 7 Jobs testimonials, one from each country 
  • Jobs summary report

Supported Output Indicator: Number of new or sustained jobs reported

Output T2.1 - Artisans as community drivers

Several models for artisan’s interacting in the local community have been tested out during the Craft Reach Project. We have looked at how the artisan can utilize their own skills in developing their transformed products, i.e. consisting of both the artisanian physical product, the presentation of the artisan history, skills, development and contemporary uses, as well as more experiential forms of presenting the business to visitors. We have also explored methods for attracting both young and old people to become engaged in the crafts world and grow the number of involved people in the business, both as professionals and voluntary workers. The result is a collection of ten reports describing the different approaches we have tested out. We believe several of them can be used as inspiration for future artisan candidates for transformation into the Economusee concept, as well as any business development based on an idea to preserve cultural heritage by live and actual performance of the Craft.

The output documentation consists of:

  • Design Trainee model – example of internship design students in Économusée
  • Artists Express Artisan Crafts – how different artistic expressions can be used to enhance the Économusée experience
  • Artisans Facilitates Public Events – how Économusée can host events in the community
  • The Cider house - An Economusee integrated in a village – example of an Économusée utilizing all available human resources
  • Économusée interaction with local community – three examples of forms of interaction with the local societal interests
  • Yearly Event on Handicraft – how to engage the local community in a festival like event of handicrafts
  • Youth Placements Models – seven forms of youth placements tested out
  • Traineeship Model – a design and marketing training program
  • Narratives Across Generations – engaging young and old collecting historical information of fishermen
  • Networking Groups of Silver Services – how older citizens can be a Resource

Supported Output Indicator: Number of business support solutions utilising place-based opportunities

Output T3.1 Interconnectivity, The World Service

Transnational cooperation has been crucial for development of Économusées in the NPA-region. Économusée is a Canadian concept that has been adapted in 7 Northern European Countries. The Economusee Network Society in Canada is therefore the “mother” of all development in Europe. The transnational cooperation lead to:

A lasting transnational cooperation structure through forming of an International Forum and International development Guidelines for future cooperation. Partnership Agreements will secure the formal affiliation between the partners in future cooperation. A common lasting web- site (www.economusee.com), logo- structure and brand guide is developed to be used in the future.  A common magazine will continue to be launched regularly with all Èconomusèes worldwide presented.

Lead Partner will continue on the board in the ESN association in Canada, also after the project.

Extensive knowledge transfer between countries, both on partner level and SME – level through the models developed in the project.

Innovative business development. The artisans have developed their businesses very different to attract tourists. Through business to business contact the artisans have adapted new ways of transferring their businesses.

There is a commitment to future actions concerning new International Conference in 2 years, forming social media connections between artisans as a result of the survey that our Irish partner did. 2 partners are already on their way to transform more SME’s to Économusées, 3 partners cooperate in new applications (Ref. “Output 17 Artisan Survey Report” in Output item T3.1.1).

The output documentation consists of:

·         2 Testimonials

·         Artisan Survey report

·         International Network Establishment guide

·         Culinary Identity Application NORA

·         Description of 2 national associations

Supported Output Indicator: Number of business support solutions removing barriers for start-ups/existing SMEs