Ethno Fest 2016: EU helps host first gathering of the traditional craft & design sector in South Caucasus

The summit is the first international gathering of crafts makers, designers, entrepreneurs, retailers and experts in the South Caucasus region and offers a unique opportunity to Georgian and international entrepreneurs to present their products, to establish new business contacts and to promote national  crafts to the global markets, and so to increase economic sustainability of the crafts sector. The event is open to the public and entrance is free of charge.

The summit offered a vibrant networking atmosphere by bringing together up to 150 Georgian, Armenian, Azerbaijani and Turkish crafts makers, designers, and entrepreneurs to exhibit their works and meet crafts experts and buyers.

The summit had a wide range of activities: expo of handmade crafts and design products with export potential; capacity building workshops by international experts in product development, buyers' requirements and international market access; public lectures and presentations; networking and business-to-business meetings. A catalogue with brief info and contact information of all participants was published and distributed to the participants.

The summit is organized by the Georgian Arts and Culture Center (GACC) as part of the EU-funded project “Crafts Platform in Action Enhancing Sector's Economic Capacity for Georgia”. The project also had many partners, ensuring wide participation of stakeholders: Economic Development Office at Tbilisi City Hall, Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia, Associate partners - Ministry of Culture and Monuments Protection of Georgia, Tbilisi City Assembly, British Council Georgia.

For more information about the project, please contact:

Project Manager: Natia Murachasvili,  pr@gaccgeorgia.org, 577 545005