The CLAY project (Cross Sector support for Innovative and Competitive Artistic Ceramic SMEs), funded by the Interreg program of the European Union, through the sharing of best practices and solutions among the partners in the artistic and craft ceramic sector, aims at developing policies and concrete actions to support and enhance the competitiveness of small and medium European ceramic enterprises.
During this phase, the project partners have shared their “Good practices” (https://www.interregeurope.eu/clay/good-practices/) to inspire the action plans of the regions involved, in order to support the art and craft ceramic sector across Europe:
TRAINING IN CERAMIC SKILLS THROUGH COURSES AT ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES
Länsi-Suomi, Finland (Suomi)
Ceramics education is an established activity at Adult Education Centres. It maintains heritage skills and offers possibilities to explore new technologies.
CERAMICA MADE IN UMBRIA
Umbria, Italy (Italia)
“Ceramica Made in Umbria” was launched by Umbria Regional Government (URG) to innovate ceramics, building on its strong heritage, boosting process and product innovation and triggering a change in the mindsets of ceramists.
[https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/3868/ceramica-made-in-umbria/]
“FACTORY OF THE FUTURE” IN NOUVELLE AQUITAINE APPLIED TO ARTISTIC CERAMIC SMES
Limousin, France
Facing an old industrial landscape, the improvement of industrial performance and the modernization of the production tool are becoming major issues in Nouvelle Aquitaine.
ESPERIENZE: SUPPORT TO CERAMISTS FOR ACTIONS ABROAD
Emilia-Romagna, Italy (Italia)
AiCC (Italian Association Cities of Ceramics) identifies high quality events (markets, workshops, etc.) abroad and supports Italian ceramists to participate.
ENTERPRISE-LAB AT THE CRAFT & DESIGN FAIR
Etelä-Suomi, Finland (Suomi)
A scheme for entrepreneurs in ceramics and other crafts to test and pilot their products and concepts at Taito department at the Finnish Craft & Design Fair.
I-START
Umbria, Italy (Italia)
I-Start aims at boosting integration and collaboration among companies, through the implementation of innovation projects for business clusters.
[https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/4311/i-start/]
INNOVATION SPRINGBOARD SERVICE (PTI) FOR CERAMIC SME
Limousin, France
In the artistic ceramic sector, innovation is not in the real DNA of companies. Actors of this sector consider themselves as traditional and think that innovation is not for them. But they are wrong. Indeed, innovation could be applied to this sector for example to reduce production cost and time or to faster develop new products.
THEMATIC VOUCHER (INNOVATION, I&D…)
Centro region, Portugal
The main objective is to support the Micro and SMEs to incorporate innovation, efficiency and circular economy into their work processes and methods by promoting process innovation, reinforcing dignity and recognizing the ceramic ancestral art as lifelong and therefore environmentally friendly.
A 3D STUDIO IN THE FIELD OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL CERAMICS
South-West Oltenia, Romania
3D Systems Pro SRL, based in Horezu (RO), specialises on 3D printing. In 2017 the company was granted support from the StartUp Nation Programme (https://www.fonduri-guvernamentale.ro/start-up-nation/) to establish a lab – the 3D studio - that focuses on 3D printing for ceramics.
ACTION - TRAINING
Centro region, Portugal
Micro-SMEs have difficulties to access funds due to the lack of resources and specific knowledge. They need to increase management skills to initiate processes of change and innovation.
[https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/4815/action-training/]
The project partners have discussed the above mentioned good practices, and are finalizing the action plans which will lead to the improvement of policies with the aim of supporting the art and craft ceramic sector.
