The project “Crafting Access – capacity building for heritage and craft-based inclusion across the western Balkans” involves cultural heritage professionals from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro and other neighbouring states in enabling new skills, knowledge and experiences around inclusion and accessibility of culture to everyone. Access to heritage and culture is a fundamental right of all people, regardless of identity or opportunity. Museums provide safe, dynamic learning environments that contribute positively to the quality of life of all individuals.
In project activities will be involved museums and individuals from the wider Balkan region, including craftspersons and disabled people who will jointly work on increasing accessibility of cultural institutions.
In gaining project’s goals a variety of educational activities (trainings, workshops, seminars), museum conferences and other activities will be organized. Project’s activities will be take place in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, and Kosovo.
The main objectives of the project are:
(1) To capacity build the Balkan Museum Access Group to deliver and support inclusive practice in western and southern Balkan museums,
(2) To expand the network to include museum professionals in Greece and initiate the cooperation with museums from the other Balkan countries (namely Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria),
(3) To undertake knowledge exchange and professional development around best innovative practice for museums and disability access,
(4) To create specific opportunities for craftspersons in the region to develop their skills in inclusive interpretation and conservation,
(5) To support museums and cultural organisations across SE Europe to become more inclusive and develop programmes for inclusion of disabled people.