Interreg VI-A Italy – Austria Craft2Biodiversity

The Craft2Biodiversity project examines the intersections between crafts, biodiversity, and sustainable development. The goal is to identify practical approaches that help craft businesses actively contribute to the conservation and promotion of biodiversity.

To this end, the project brings together traditional craftsmanship, technical know-how, and expertise in nature conservation. It focuses in particular on the connections between biodiversity and energy efficiency, infrastructure, product improvement, new business models, and social sustainability in the skilled trades. The first step involves conducting an assessment and trend analysis to examine current practices in the skilled trades with regard to their impact on biodiversity. This is followed by creativity workshops with pilot businesses to develop and implement concrete measures to promote biodiversity. Subsequently, pilot businesses develop and test innovative measures to promote biodiversity in workshops. The project’s results will be incorporated into practical training modules and a guide designed to help skilled trades businesses integrate biodiversity as an integral part of their sustainable business practices.

A comprehensive study was conducted on measures that can contribute to promoting biodiversity in commercial districts. The goal was to identify practical and transferable approaches that not only increase ecological diversity but also yield additional positive effects such as improved quality of life, microclimate enhancement, energy savings, and rainwater management. This research forms the substantive basis for a guide on promoting biodiversity in commercial districts, which will be developed in the next phase. The guide is intended to provide municipalities and small businesses with concrete measures and recommendations for the ecological enhancement of these functional spaces.

Funding Program: Interreg VI-A Italy–Austria 2021–2027 – Priority 2 – Climate Change and Biodiversity

 Project Number: ITAT-27-013

 Project Duration: January 2025 – March 2027

 Total cost: €744,147.55

 EU funding: €507,045.15