The kick off event will be held in the Economic and Social Committee in Brussels on February, 11
Brussels, 30 January 2026 – RAICES, a new EU-funded cooperation project, has officially started with the aim of supporting the sustainability of Indigenous artisanal heritage in Peru and Colombia. The initiative strengthens EU–Latin America cooperation by promoting skills development, cultural preservation and sustainable, circular economic models within Indigenous artisan communities.
The project is coordinated by Finnova and implemented by an international consortium including Spain’s Footwear Technology Centre (INESCOP), Colombia’s Popular Training Institute (INCAP), Peru’s Community and Productive Development Centre (Descocentro), the Manizales Chamber of Commerce for Caldas, and the National University of Huancavelica. Together, the partners will work to revitalise traditional craftsmanship and connect ancestral knowledge with innovation and circular economy opportunities.
Empowering Indigenous artisans through skills and sustainability
RAICES focuses on strengthening Indigenous artisan communities through training, digital skills development, cultural heritage preservation and improved access to sustainable markets. Particular emphasis is placed on empowering women artisans, promoting gender equality and supporting young people through the development of new professional skills linked to sustainable value chains.
Kick off event at EESC
The official launch event will take place on 11 February 2026, at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels. Held in a hybrid format, the event will bring together European and Latin American partners, institutional representatives and social and public sector stakeholders from Belgium, Spain, Peru and Colombia, while enabling online participation from communities in the Andean region.
The event will serve as a platform for dialogue on the social, cultural and economic value of Indigenous craftsmanship and its contribution to sustainable development. Participants will be introduced to the project’s objectives, planned activities and expected outcomes, including training programmes, collaboration with Indigenous communities, digital tools and transnational cooperation networks.
Bridging tradition and innovation
Over the coming months, RAICES will implement a range of activities centred on training, knowledge exchange and EU–Andean cooperation. These initiatives aim to strengthen traditional craftsmanship while fostering competitive, sustainable and circular production models that create new economic and social opportunities for Indigenous communities.
About RAICES
RAICES is a project co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme (ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CB-VET) and will be implemented between 2026 and 2028 in Peru and Colombia. Over its 36-month duration, the project works with vocational education and training (VET) providers and public authorities to enhance the quality and relevance of vocational and non-formal training.
With a total budget of EUR 397,047, RAICES seeks to generate a lasting impact on vocational training systems by strengthening institutional capacities and promoting more inclusive and relevant learning opportunities across the artisanal textile, footwear and leather goods value chains.