Research, design, and heritage initiative

Oaza is a Zagreb-based arts organisation co-founded in 2014 by six artists/designers. It works on research-based art and design projects, largely in the independent cultural sector and with a particular focus on self-initiated projects. Its wide-ranging activities include curating; social, strategic, and conceptual design; publishing; and informal design education. Oaza came up with the original idea for the Made In project on the basis of a local crafts research project Old School Ilica.

MAO maintains and promotes the most comprehensive collection of Slovenian architectural and design heritage anywhere. It brings together curators, editors, and producers who take great care in collecting national heritage and designing contemporary programmes. MAO is a national and international centre and hub for the transfer of knowledge in the fields of heritage and creativity, featuring innovative programme formats dedicated to the preservation of heritage and supporting emerging creatives.

The Museum of Arts and Crafts (MUO) is Croatia’s leading institution in the field of fine and applied arts. Its collection contains more than 100,000 items focusing on local mastery in arts, crafts, and design. MUO was badly affected by the 2020 Zagreb earthquake, but has since returned to full operational capacity, and this project complements a number of educational and interactive activities that had to be put on hold in 2020.

Nova Iskra is a creative hub promoting tangible connections between the creative industries, technology, and people. Its goal is to support critical thinking, nurture ideas, and design and develop organisations and businesses to be both future-proof and responsive to the ever-changing present.

Center ROG is a public multidisciplinary creative hub supporting manufacturers and creators (individuals and collectives) in the development of their ideas through cutting-edge technological know-how and infrastructure. With its modern infrastructure, expertise, and international connections, Rog provides a supportive environment for the development of innovative, socially beneficial projects that meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Drugo More is a not-for-profit organisation based in Rijeka and was actively involved in the ECC Rijeka 2020 programme. Its mission is to identify and explore topics of social relevance in contemporary society. It also makes scientific and cultural discourses accessible to local and international communities by means of tools such as exhibitions and workshops.

The University of Applied Sciences Zwickau (WHZ) places an emphasis on internships and laboratory work, and has a strong focus on application and implementation. It offers over 50 courses (Woodwork/Product & Object Design, Textile Art/Textile Design, Fashion Design) carefully structured to prepare students for their career within a manageable timeframe.

The City Museum of Zenica researches, preserves, collects, and processes museum material. It has embraced the "open museum" concept, which aims to create a dynamic relationship with audiences, as part of which it is developing a multimedia centre and offering a wide range of workshops and other educational and promotional events in the fields of art, science, and the humanities.

State Art Collections Dresden, Museum of Decorative Arts (SKD) at Pillnitz Palace & Park near Dresden was founded in 1876 and is one of the oldest of its kind in Germany. It belongs to a network of 15 museums, archives, and research institutions under the umbrella of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (SKD). It has an outstanding collection of historic and contemporary decorative arts and design, an extensive textile collection, and a unique collection of furniture from the Deutsche Werkstätten Hellerau. Its new Design Campus is a research and development hub with the aim of inspiring designers, creatives, and the general public. Its programme facilitates dialogue between the museum's collections and SKD, and employs new, international approaches to design and the creative industries.

Passa Ao Futuro (PAF) is a not-for-profit research-based cultural initiative that documents the intangible cultural heritage of Portuguese artisans and craftspeople in order to preserve it. It also promotes networking in the field through a series of residencies and collaborative projects, as well as supporting the sustainability of the crafts by means of social and environmental impact programming rooted in design and systems thinking.

A non-governmental and non-profit organization, established with focus on improving the creative work in the field of design and creative industries. The objectives of the Association are: Development of social tolerance through the convergence and interaction of different cultures; Promoting a positive approach to cultural diversity in contemporary society; Promoting cultural and artistic project of international exchange and cooperation; Strengthening cultural policies in Serbia and the region and participating in the international efforts of similar organizations in the promotion of global cultural policy; Improving and promoting contemporary visual disciplines; The impact on the development of interdisciplinary ecology, urban planning, architecture, design.

WR is a craft and trade association of currently 90 business members established in 1999, uniting craftsmen of different guilds, promoting cooperation and exchange of ideas. WR strives for sustainable development of crafts and trade of the region through: Economic sustainability by maintaining and creating local jobs and training opportunities; Ecological sustainability by producing long-term goods for daily use; Social sustainability by establishing trusting relationships and personal connections; And cultural sustainability by preserving the quality of crafts and ensuring cultural continuity. WR has established its own venue for exhibitions and events designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. Opened in 2013 in Andelsbuch the “Werkraumhaus” serves as space for exhibitions, workshops, lectures, seminars and symposiums.