Good practice:

Sätergläntan

Sätergläntan, the Nordic Center for Learning in handicraft and crafts was formed in 1923. Sweden was poor, people emigrated, women were not allowed to train and could not support themselves. Then some professions opened for women (home-related) and they began to train weavers. At the same time, the arts and crafts movement spread from the UK, which inspired the formation of handicraft associations. Sätergläntan became the node for Sweden's handicraft associations and is an environment where old materials and techniques; the intangible cultural heritage is preserved. This links with the Agenda 2030 and the global goals on sustainable consumption etc. Those who study at Sätergläntan want to become entrepreneurs in crafts. Prospective retirees take leave of absence to attend an education in order to continue as an entrepreneur in their next career. There is also a health aspect while working and creating with hands is health promoting. Sätergläntan is mainly an educational environment with long training courses during the year and short courses in the summers. They want to develop the business with opportunities for entrepreneurship, offer commercial services, eg short courses in other places and conference activities, and to invest in research and innovation and international exchanges. Stakeholders: The Swedish Association of Handicraft, The Authority for the University of Applied Sciences. Beneficiaries: handicraft associations, looser communities/" nerd clubs".

Budget: 1.4 million euros per year to support 58 training places.
The students are eligible for study aid
Course fee 1000 Euro / year
Summer courses: 4-500 Euro / week

There is no follow-up of the students after completing the education at Sätergläntan, so unfortunately there is no measurable result linked to eg entrepreneurship. However, creation with the hands reduces the need for language and increases opportunities to meet regardless of language. Also perfect for dementia - to pick up technology that the elderly has brought. The transfer of craftsmanship cannot be read, it must be done.

Great interest and many applicants. Sätergläntan is located in an area where many elderly live and many elderly moves in as well as with a growing visitor industry. We need business models for combines; eg to be both teachers and entrepreneurs and we need to innovate and learn from others in Europe.

In the Silver SME's SWOT analysis for Dalarna, the respondents stated that there are few educational opportunities for the elderly who want to change their vocational orientation or perhaps extend their working life. Sätergläntan, however, is an example of how a second career can be made possible in handicrafts and crafts. Similar institutions should be able to be established in other countries if there are the right conditions - based on traditions and cultural heritage in other regions. The Sätergläntan would like to have an exchange with another similar institute and gladly receive visitor groups at interest