[ About The Project ]

Fostering sustainable value chains in the craft sector through blockchain and digital skills.

We currently face an urgent need to address critical challenges in the European craft sector, particularly in the areas of digital technology, sustainability, generational transition, inclusion, and competition. The sector primarily consists of family-run businesses and individuals from very diverse backgrounds, and the EU crafts market is increasingly driven by consumer demand for sustainability. However, many artisans struggle to meet these demands due to limited access to digital tools, making them vulnerable to threats such as copycats and larger companies replicating designs at lower costs.

TransparencyChain will simplify the adoption of complex tech such as blockchain to track provenance from raw materials to handmade production, allowing the consumers to understand how, when and by whom the products they are buying were made. The project will also provide training on digital marketing tools, allowing craftspeople to boost their sales by adopting more effective strategies.

[ Project Objectives and Target Groups ]

  • A pilot programme will take place in Portugal, where the project experts will train 4 educators to provide technical support and mentor a group of craftspeople and suppliers that will test the new blockchain platform.

    The project's primary objective is to pilot and test a VET programme that simplifies the adoption of pioneering blockchain provenance tracking technology in the craft and artisan production sector, targeting independent professionals and traditional industries, including those with limited access to digital technologies or VET.

  • By providing craftspeople and educators with practical tools and knowledge on blockchain-based provenance tracking and digital marketing, TransparencyChain will lay the foundation for more sustainable, transparent, and inclusive value chains, enabling craftspeople, artisans, and their suppliers to trace and verify the origin of materials and production processes, enhancing their sales through effective digital marketing.

  • The target groups are educators involved in VET for crafts; suppliers of raw materials and craftspeople from diverse backgrounds and demographics (including young creatives, older artisans, family and cottage industries, the migrant population, individuals with different education levels, and those in remote areas), as well as those who may present barriers to their participation.

[ Project Outputs ]

All project outputs will be available in English and Portuguese.

Digital Learning Materials

  • User’s Manual for the new blockchain-based provenance tracking platform

  • Workbook on Blockchain and Platform use

  • Workbook on digital marketing and promotion of transparent value chains

Pilot Programme

  • Training sessions: comprehensive training on how to use the platform, blockchain principles, and digital marketing.

  • Piloting the platform: the platform will be used and tested by the participants in two Portuguese regions (North and South). 

  • Testing and evaluation: Rigorous testing and evaluation phases to ensure the effectiveness and scalability of the training models and platform.

Blockchain-Based Provenance Tracking Platform

  • A new blockchain-based provenance tracking platform that the pilot programme participants will test

[ Join Us on This Journey ]

Are you a craftsperson, a raw materials supplier, or a trainer interested in this project?
You can reach out to us by sending an email to info@transparencychain.org

[ FAQ ]

  • As part of the TransparencyChain project, we will offer a free learning programme on promoting transparent value chains and digital marketing, which will take place in Portugal (Porto) on March 14, 2026. The goal is to train a network of educators, craftspeople, and suppliers of raw materials who will test a new, easy-to-use blockchain-based provenance tracking platform, fostering new digital skills that will help them improve their sales through digital marketing.

    There is no requirement for previous experience in any digital tools, marketing or provenance tracking to participate in the programme.

  • We are looking for educators involved in the crafts area, suppliers of raw materials and craftspeople from all backgrounds (young creatives, older artisans, family and cottage industries, migrant population, people from all education levels, people in remote areas, etc).

  • There is no requirement for previous experience in any digital tools, marketing or provenance tracking to participate in the programme. The programme’s training sessions and digital learning materials will equip participants with all the knowledge needed to use and test the platform.

  • The learning programme Open Call will be open from September 2025 to 30 October 2025. The applications will then be evaluated, and the results will be announced by the end of December 2025.

    The training sessions will take place on March 14, 2026. The platform's testing by participants will occur in the months following the training session, between March and December 2026.

  • The Open Call for applications for the learning programme will be open from September 2025 to October 30 2025.

    This will be followed by an evaluation period, and the results will be announced by the end of December 2025.

  • The programme covers the travelling costs for all participants to the training sessions in Porto, Portugal.