The European Crafts Alliance (ECA) is holding its annual conference on Thursday, the 30th of April. In addition to being an in-person event in Florence, Italy, access to the conference is also available online.

Across Europe, craft is expanding beyond the workshop and into public health and community care. Co-organised by Artex and presented in collaboration with Firenze Fiera, during the 90th anniversary of the MIDA International Handicraft Exhibition in Florence, Italy, this year, the conference will explore how making actually works in clinical rehabilitation, mental health, and social inclusion. For the craft sector, these aren’t just social goals; they represent new professional pathways and a way to connect the workshop with the public health sector.

A central highlight of the programme is the premiere of the ECA’s foundational study on Crafting Health and Wellbeing. Alongside this vital data, attendees will hear from practitioners who are successfully integrating traditional crafts into professional recovery programmes, creating new pathways for makers.

Participation is free and open to the public.

Time: 9:30 AM (in person in Italy) & 9 AM IST (online)

For more information and to register, visit the ECA’s website – https://europeancraftsalliance.org/eca-annual-conference-2026-crafting-wellbeing/

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