Description
One of the greatest challenges of contemporary rural areas is to ensure livelihood for families in an era of lost traditional handicraft skills. This project was to revive artisan wool production on the grounds of utilizing local renewable row materials creating a living style of harmony with nature. Project activities focused on the entire production process (from sheep breeding to weaving), and include the opening of a “Wool House” with the purpose of (partly self-) education and providing appropriate machinery (carding machine, spinning-wheel, etc.) for local youth; several one-day workshops and a three-week-long crafting camp for which specialists, lecturers, facilitators and young participants from donor countries were also invited.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the absence of employment possibilities appropriate especially for young dwellers of the rural areas in Somogy county. Building upon the utilization of the available and unexploited wool resource gained from a local municipality owned flock traditional wool processing skills were revealed and trained focusing on the entire procession cycle (from sheep breeding to weaving) contributing to the non-formal vocational training of about 100 local residents and other 300 interested people reached through 6 5-days-long handcraft camps, 5 visiting group exercises, 6 exhibitory workshops and a set of other events. The main outcome of the project is a local community workshop that has been equipped and opened with both educative and community purposes. This “Wool House” is available on the long run for the local youth and can ensure meaningful activities, and even the livelihoods of the most motivated community members.
Summary of bilateral results