Progetto europeo

make-a-thek is a project, still in development, that aims to evaluate the transformation of public libraries into shared production spaces, offering citizens access to innovative and circular techniques for fashion and crafts. Based on extensive mapping and co-creation activities, OpenDot will develop modular and replicable set-ups that explore upcycling techniques and deepen know-how on sustainable materials and digital manufacturing. The project aims to spread innovative craft practices and raise public awareness of the opportunities that the circular economy offers at the local level. The solutions will be tested in at least 9 European and 3 international libraries. 

As part of this European project funded by Horizon EU, OpenDot will be involved over the next three years (2025–2028) in designing a toolkit of resources and methods to support public libraries in creating maker spaces within their environments.

The goal is to create new access points to technology & knowledge, engaging public libraries as inclusive spaces for social, open and circular innovation with crafters, designers, makers, citizens & prosumers.

For the next 3 years (2025-2028) we’ll be involved in the design of a resource and method-toolkit with also open educational resources for libraries to apply the Make-a-Thek approach, which will be applied by 9 pilot cities in Europe, and then disseminated.

With this approach we want to create new sustainable relationships & networks between crafts, fashion people, makers, circularity experts, public libraries and their local population, strengthen the innovation capacity of craft and fashion worlds by bringing together traditional know-how with digital and maker technologies, and support the green and circular transition of creative and craft industries, in particular fashion.

The project embraces the New European Bauhaus (NEB) approach by being inclusive - ensuring broad access to technology, sustainable - promoting a circular society, and enriching, empowering individuals through opportunities for self-expression.