Good Practice - Project
Handicraft digi lab in Slovenia
A project connecting traditional pottery in Slovenia with 3D technologies to inspire new generations.
General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6B: Local development
RDP Measure
- M19: LEADER/CLLD
Beneficiary type
- Local / regional authority
Summary
The Municipality of Ribnica is well-known as a key cradle of Slovenian handicraft, with woodenware and pottery forming a central part of its cultural identity. Yet despite these strong natural, cultural and infrastructural foundations, traditional craftsmanship has been declining. Local economic sectors also face challenges, including a shortage of technically skilled workers and the ongoing outmigration of educated young people from rural areas.
To address these issues, this project developed the concept of a creative and learning space in Ribnica, equipped with modern technologies such as 3D printers for clay and other materials, a laser cutter and a 3D scanner. This space was designed for young people, older residents and potential entrepreneurs, enabling them to strengthen their digital skills and explore new technological tools. Alongside building digital competences, the project also tackled the challenge of revitalising Ribnica’s traditional craftsmanship and particularly pottery, by demonstrating how heritage techniques can be upgraded and reimagined through contemporary technologies.
Results
- The project upgraded handicraft production by analysing existing items, redesigning six traditional products and exploring the use of local clay for future production.
- The project demonstrated how traditional craftsmanship can be revitalised through modern technologies, making heritage more engaging - especially for young people.
- It also strengthened public knowledge of digital tools and encouraged wider use of new technologies.
Promoter
JZ Handicraft Centre Ribnica
Funding
Total budget: 98 357 (EUR)
EAFRD: 58 236 (EUR)
National/Regional: 14 559 (EUR)
Private/own: 25 562 (EUR)
Resources
Context
The Municipality of Ribnica is well known as a key cradle of Slovenian handicraft, with the production of woodenware and pottery forming a core part of its cultural identity. Together with the Ribnica Handicraft Centre, the municipality plays a key role in preserving and developing this heritage. Their work includes safeguarding traditional knowledge, documenting and studying cultural practices, promoting contemporary creative expression, and ensuring that cultural heritage remains relevant for the past, present and future. They also connect cultural activities with tourism, the local economy and education, while supporting the popularisation of domestic crafts and artistic creativity.
Despite these strong natural, cultural and infrastructural foundations, traditional craftsmanship is in decline. Other economic sectors also face challenges, particularly due to a shortage of technically skilled workers and the continued outmigration of educated young people from rural areas.
To address these issues, an idea emerged to create a creative and learning space in Ribnica for young people, older residents and potential entrepreneurs. This space would allow users to strengthen their digital skills and explore new technologies. Beyond developing digital competences, the project also responds to a second challenge: demonstrating how traditional Ribnica craftsmanship and especially pottery can be upgraded and revitalised through innovation.
The project would provide an important new offer for local residents by creating an environment where they could acquire new knowledge, experiment with digital tools, and engage in networking and knowledge exchange. It would support individuals by increasing their opportunities for employment or self‑employment, and it would benefit local companies by helping them access the skilled workforce they currently lack, particularly people with digital competences.
Objectives
The project aimed to foster the participation of young people and women in technical professions through improved access to digital technologies and strengthened digital competences, and to reinforce local identity by raising community awareness of the importance of preserving cultural and natural heritage.
Activities
In the first phase, the partners purchased and installed the equipment and materials required to establish the technical component of the creative space, which was set up within the Ribnica Handicraft Centre. The equipment included two 3D printers for clay, two 3D printers for plastic materials, a laser cutter and a 3D scanner. In parallel, training sessions on the use of these new technologies were organised for the interested public and for young people, including secondary school pupils and students.
A mentor supported the training programme and continued to participate in subsequent project activities, particularly during open days when users could rent and operate the machines in the creative space.
In the second phase, the project partners delivered additional training sessions and workshops for a diverse target group, including children, women and active pensioners, with a focus on developing technical knowledge. During this period, the project team also defined the terms of use for the newly equipped creative space and introduced an online reservation system via the website. Furthermore, they carried out an analysis of local clay and developed design concepts for six redesigned pottery products, producing the first prototypes.
The project brought together several key actors, including the Municipality of Ribnica, the Ribnica Handicraft Centre, the graphic and photographic services of Mitja Ilc s.p., and the Pond Student Club.
Main results
- The project upgraded existing handicraft production by analysing current products, redesigning at least six traditional items, and exploring the use of local raw materials, particularly clay, for future production.
- The project delivered three workshops for children, two workshops for women and one workshop for active pensioners, all of which attracted strong interest from participants.
- Additional workshops for adults were organised, including a Ceramics Engraving Workshop (7 participants), Hand Luna Workshop (14 participants) and a Recycled Bag Workshop (12 participants).
- Several workshops were also delivered for children, such as a Recycling and Reuse Workshop (11 participants), a Laser Festive Ornaments Workshop (15 participants), a Custom Puzzle Workshop (13 participants) and a 3D Scanning Workshop (10 participants).
- The project promoted and supported the preservation of traditional craftsmanship by demonstrating how it can be meaningfully combined with modern technologies. Although traditional crafts are often less appealing to young people, their integration with digital tools makes them more engaging and relevant. To innovate and upgrade traditional techniques, participants first need to understand and learn them; therefore, the project contributed not only to preservation but also to the transfer of cultural heritage into new, contemporary forms.
- The project also played an important role in educating the interested public on the use of modern technologies.
Key lessons
- Offering free training and hands‑on workshops proved to be a major success factor. It created an inclusive environment where local residents could experiment with technologies that were previously inaccessible to them.
- Allowing participants to create their own products helped reduce fears and misconceptions about using new technologies. This practical approach made digital tools feel approachable and useful in everyday life.
- The project showed that safeguarding cultural heritage is not only about maintaining traditional techniques but also about adapting them to new contexts. Introducing digital tools created new pathways for passing on craftsmanship to future generations.
- While traditional crafts alone may not appeal to most young people, integrating them with modern technologies sparked curiosity and engagement. This combination demonstrated that heritage skills can be modernised and remain relevant.