Craft & Sustainability Festival · Barcelona 2026

Are you an artist, craftsperson, designer or maker working at the intersection of craft and sustainability?

Do you want to explore how craft can contribute to a more sustainable, circular and environmentally responsible practice? Join us at the Craftwork Festival 2026 in Barcelona, the public moment of the Creative Europe project Craftwork 4.0 ALL and part of the 30th anniversary edition of the Drap-Art Festival, a long-standing Barcelona reference for sustainable art.

Over three days at ESPRONCEDA, Institute of Art and Culture, the festival brings together practitioners, researchers and cultural operators from across Europe, workshops, talks and a hybrid online programme. 

What is  it?

A  three-day in-person participation at the Craftwork Festival 2026, hosted by ESPRONCEDA, Institute of Art and Culture in Barcelona. Selected participants exhibit, present and discuss their work, take part in exhibitions and contribute to public talks, demonstrations aligned with the festival’s themes.

Who can apply

• Artists, craftspeople, makers, designers and creative practitioners working in any discipline.
• Emerging and established practitioners — selection is by quality of work and alignment with themes.
• Individuals exploring sustainability, circular economy and recycling through material practice.
• Practitioners interested in intergenerational craft exchange, heritage-based making and contemporary craft processes.
• Creatives curious about hybrid formats combining exhibition, performance and direct exchange with audiences.

What participants will do

• Exhibit selected works at ESPRONCEDA during the three festival days.
• Optionally lead or co-lead a workshop, demonstration, talk or open studio.
• Take part in thematic round tables on sustainability, circular economy and craft.
• Connect with the Craftwork 4.0 ALL consortium and sister EU projects — GreenCCIrcle Academy, HAG (Hands Across Generations), Time for (S) Heroes, PMP (Professional Media Presence) — and local initiatives in Barcelona.

What participants will gain

• International exposure within Drap-Art's 30th anniversary edition and the Craftwork 4.0 ALL European platform.
• Direct contact with European cultural operators, festival audiences and partner organisations.
• Documentation of work in the festival's open archive and online platform.
• Certificate of Participation issued by ESPRONCEDA / Craftwork 4.0 ALL.
• Inclusion in the festival's post-event communication and dissemination across partner channels.

Programme details

• Project: Craftwork 4.0 ALL · Creative Europe · NEB initiative · WP6 Craft Festival in Spain
• Festival dates: 2 – 4 December 2026
• Location: ESPRONCEDA, Institute of Art and Culture · Barcelona Carrer D'Espronceda 326 Nave 4,5 & 10
• Format: 3-day in-person participation, including exhibitions, networking and talks
• Arrival: Monday 30 November or Tuesday 1 December, by 13:00 at the latest — to allow time to receive and install the work before the festival opening on Tuesday evening.
• Departure: Friday 4 December 
• Attendance: full attendance and active participation are required to receive the Certificate of Participation

Please note applications are only from Carlow & Louth Area. 

Sending organisation: CARLOW COCO, Ireland. Contact: huttonl@carlowcoco.ie