Making Traditions brings together makers and artisans in Việt Nam and the UK who are passionate about exploring new approaches to traditional craft practices. The project supports creative exchange, encourages innovation, and helps communities share ideas that contribute to more sustainable and climate-conscious ways of making.
The project aims to:
- Grow and strengthen communities of makers and artisans working with traditional craft skills and natural materials, supporting the development of vibrant creative sectors in both countries.
- Encourage experimentation and the sharing of creative practices that celebrate heritage crafts, indigenous knowledge, local creative economies, and environmentally sustainable approaches.
- Foster connection, collaboration, and mutual learning between Vietnamese and British makers and artisans through exchange and shared experiences.
Working closely with partners in the UK and Việt Nam, the programme will curate and deliver a series of professional development workshops for craft makers, with a particular focus on encouraging greater participation from young women makers and creative entrepreneurs. Designed as a three-year initiative, the programme aims to build and support a community of 15-20 emerging craft enthusiasts and practitioners.
The programme will be for three years, beginning with a pilot workshop series in 2026, bringing together experienced and ethically driven craft practitioners and/or creative businesses and a cohort of 15-20 young makers to share their knowledge, skills, and experiences. Through mentorship, exchange, and hands-on learning, the workshops will help nurture the next generation of creative and sustainable craft practitioners.
We are excited to invite professionals and entrepreneurs working in Innovative Crafts to apply and join this dynamic programme. Activities will be both online and on-site, taking place between September 2026 and March 2027.
Successful applicants will take part in a range of training sessions, workshops, mentoring opportunities, and will be encouraged to apply for funding support to help develop their business ideas and plans (with grants of up to £1,000 available per business plan). Together, these opportunities are designed to support participants in innovating, growing their work, and creating positive impact in their communities.
When reviewing applications, we will consider:
- Your area of work and how it contributes to the sustainable development of your community.
- How you hope to benefit from the programme’s training, workshops, mentoring opportunities, and funding support.
- How you plan to share the knowledge, skills, and opportunities gained through the programme with your peers and wider community.
As part of our commitment to inclusion and sustainable development, we particularly welcome applications from individuals who come from, work with, or support harder-to-reach or underrepresented communities. This includes women and girls, people with disabilities, ethnic minority communities, and people living in rural and semi-rural areas.
The application deadline is 3 August 2026. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to an interview during the first two weeks of August, and we expect to notify successful applicants by 24 August 2026.