Crafting Sustainability: Biodiversity Meets Energy Innovation

A European project empowering SMEs with tools for greener business models in the craft sector

Connecting Craftsmanship, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Development

Project Objective:

Craft2Biodiversity explores the role of biodiversity in the craft sector and develops practical solutions for the sustainable transformation of products, processes, and business models. The project focuses on ecological responsibility, energy efficiency, and innovation.

Kick-off in Bozen:

Launch of Cross-Border Collaboration
The official project kick-off took place on March 17–18, 2024, in Bozen, hosted by LVH Bildung und Service Gen., the South Tyrolean project partner.

Carinthia University of Applied Sciences opened the session with a keynote on current developments and challenges in biodiversity and nature conservation.

MCI presented its role within the project, leading Work Package 3.

The goal of the meeting was to align on shared objectives, identify synergies, and define the roadmap for the coming two years.

Work Package 3 – Developing Sustainable Innovation Pathways (Lead: MCI)
MCI leads Work Package 3, focusing on the practical implementation of biodiversity-enhancing innovations in the craft sector. The objective is to identify, refine, and apply forward-thinking approaches tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Key activities include:

Analysis & Trend Research: Desk research, expert interviews, best practice identification, and 360° workshops in Tyrol and South Tyrol.

Ideation & Concept Development: Creative workshops with businesses to develop structured pilot briefs for products, services, and processes.

Implementation & Testing: Support for pilot companies during the testing and refinement of prototypes and business models.

This structured approach ensures that all developed concepts are research-based, practical, and designed for long-term impact.

Outlook:

Craft2Biodiversity raises awareness of biodiversity in the craft sector and creates tangible opportunities for sustainable innovation. By fostering close collaboration between research, practice, and education, the project offers new perspectives for SMEs and skilled workers in Austria and Italy.