Kick-off for our Hands Across Generations project
The Nicosia Tourism Board (NTB) took part in the kick-off of the European project “Hands Across Generations – Preserving Intangible Heritage through Intergenerational Craft Exchange”, held in Carlow, Ireland, on 21–22 October 2025, and hosted by the Carlow County Council, the project’s lead partner.
The project, funded by the Erasmus+ VET (Vocational Education and Training) programme, seeks to safeguard Europe’s intangible cultural heritage by fostering intergenerational exchanges of craft skills:
Through a reciprocal learning process, experienced artisans, guardians of traditional craftsmanship, mentor and collaborate with young vocational trainees to ensure that these skills are preserved, adapted to modern digital contexts and transmitted sustainably.
The initiative promotes knowledge transfer between master artisans and young apprentices, the digitalisation of traditional techniques, and the integration of sustainable practices and circular economy principles within the craft sector.
Hands Across Generations brings together seven partners from across Europe:
- Carlow County Council (Ireland) – Project Coordinator
- For.Me (Greece)
- Submeet Association (Italy)
- Modus (Finland)
- Lemon Grass Communication (Spain)
- Darnaus Vystymo Projektai (Lithuania)
- Nicosia Tourism Board (Cyprus)
The project will run for 24 months (September 2025 – August 2027) and will include research activities, intergenerational mentoring workshops, digital literacy courses, cultural events, and the creation of a multilingual digital platform – the Digital Heritage Toolkit – that will provide free educational resources for artisans, vocational schools, and local communities.
The Nicosia Tourism Board is actively involved in all project phases, with a specific focus on:
- Analysing the Cypriot craft sector
- Organising intergenerational workshops in Nicosia, bringing together young artisans and experienced mentors to transmit traditional techniques and adopt more sustainable approaches.
- Providing digital skills training for senior artisans, encouraging the use of e-learning platforms, social media, and digital marketing tools.
- Hosting sustainability-focused workshops
- Promoting and disseminating results through local events, exhibitions, focus groups, and a European communication campaign aimed at spreading sustainable and intergenerational craft models.
The event marked the official launch of a joint journey to enhance and innovate traditional craftsmanship, strengthening the link between culture, tourism, and sustainable development.
Hands Across Generations represents another important step in the Nicosia Tourism Board’s commitment to preserving and promoting both the tangible and intangible heritage of our city, and to advancing cultural and creative tourism at the European level.
FIND OUT MORE FOR HANDS ACROSS GENERATION AND ALL THE EUROPEAN PROJECTS OF THE NICOSIA TOURISM BOARD AT https://ntb.org.cy/el/eu-projectss/
