Field Study ResearchState of the Art ReportAnalysis of genuine needs andskills mapping among migrantand local handcrafters

Field Study ResearchState of the Art Report

Analysis of genuine needs and skills mapping among migrant and

local handcrafters

My HandScraft Migrants Hands and Skills to

Create a Future Track

INDEX

INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................................................................................2

Aimoftheproject..................................................................................................................................................................................2

Aimofthefieldstudyresearch........................................................................................................................................................2

1 LOCALCONTEXTS............................................................................................................................................................................4

1.1 Overviewofthesituationofmigrants,refugeesandasylumseekersinthepartnercountries..........4

1.2 Trendsandattitudestowardsthemigrationsituation.........................................................................................7

1.3 Overviewofthelabourlandscape,employmentsupportandlearningopportunitiesavailableformigrants..................................................................................................................................................................................................10

1.4 Overviewandtrendsofthelocalhandicraftsector.............................................................................................16

2 RESULTSFROMTHEFIELDSTUDYRESEARCH..............................................................................................................20

2.1 Interviews..............................................................................................................................................................................20

2.2 Targetgroupsdescription...............................................................................................................................................20

2.2.1 Migrants.............................................................................................................................................................................20

2.2.2 Localhandcrafters........................................................................................................................................................22

2.3 Needsanalysisaddressedtonewlyarrivedmigrants,refugeesandasylumseekers..........................24

2.3.1 Integrationobstacles....................................................................................................................................................24

2.3.2 Languageobstaclesandopportunities.................................................................................................................27

2.3.3 Employmentsituationatlocallevel......................................................................................................................29

2.3.4 Localattitudestowardshandicraft........................................................................................................................33

2.4 Skills’mappingamongmigrantsandlocalhandcrafters...................................................................................36

2.4.1 Skills’mappingamongmigranthandcrafters-background....................................................................36

2.4.1.1 Educationalandworkingbackground.......................................................................................................36

2.4.1.2 Migranthandcrafters’skills............................................................................................................................40

2.4.1.3 Collaborationandintegrationofskillsamongmigrantandlocalhandcrafters–Migrants’pointofview...............................................................................................................................................................................43

2.4.2 Skills’mappingamonglocalhandcrafters-background..........................................................................47

2.4.2.1 Educationalandworkingbackground.......................................................................................................47

2.4.2.2 Handcrafters’skillsandsituationacrosspartnercountries.............................................................50

2.4.2.3 Collaborationandintegrationofskillsamongmigrantandlocalhandcrafters–Localhandcrafters'pointofview..................................................................................................................................................57

3 CONCLUSION...................................................................................................................................................................................63

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INTRODUCTION

Aim of the project

The State-of-the-Art Report is the first Intellectual Output of theMYHANDSCRAFT –MigrantsHandsandSkillstoCreateaFutureTrack -project,a two-and-a-half-yearEuropeanprojectfundedbytheErasmus+programme–KeyAction2inthefieldofadulteducation, thatinvolves five partners from Italy, United Kingdom, Greece, Cyprus and Lithuania. Thegeneral aim of the project is to improve and extend the supply of high-quality learningopportunitiesadaptedtolow-skilledorlow-qualifiedadults’needsand,alongside,toextendand develop educators’ competences, all this by valorising artistic competences andculturalheritageinordertoincreaseandcreatesynergiesbetweeneducationalandculturalfields. The specific aim of the project is to develop a training programme to increaseopportunitiesfortheeconomicandsocial integrationofadultmigrants, inparticularnewly-arrived migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, into society and the labour market,encouraging the sharing of skills and craft traditions between migrants and localhandcrafters, leading to a process of mutual exchange, enrichment and enhancement ofinterculturalandentrepreneurialskillsofmigrantandlocalhandcrafters.

Aim of the field study research

In this context, the present field study research is aimed at analysing the currentsituation of adult migrants and local adult handcrafters, focusing on the unexploredpotentialofmigrantstoimprovetheirtechnicalskills,usingthehandicrafttotriggeraprocessof collaborative learning and exchange. This will facilitate the setting up of a properframeworktofosterthepersonalandprofessionaldevelopmentofbothtargetgroups,fillingidentifiedshortagesandgapsandmeetingtheirlearningneeds.

Withaviewtopursuingthisobjective,twosurveysweredesignedinordertocarryout:

1. aneedsanalysisaddressedtomigrants,newly-arrivedrefugeesandasylumseekers,togainaninsightoftheirlearningneedsand the integrationobstaclestheyfacedintheir local society and labour market, and of their level of awareness aboutemploymentandself-employmentopportunitiesinthelocalhandicraftsector;

2. a skills’ mapping exercise targeted at both migrants and local handcrafters toidentifybothgroups’handicraftskillsintermsoftechniques,products,materialsandworking procedureswhich can be shared and combined, thus encouraging a fruitfulexchangebetweenthetargetgroups

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Thefieldstudyresearchwasconductedthroughthearrangementofface-to-faceinterviewswith a sample of 50 people per country (25 migrants and 25 local handcrafters). Thesurveys were designed in a way to ensure proper collection of both quantitative andqualitative data. Hence, each survey included a combination of open-ended and closedquestions,whichallowedthecollectionofdemographicinformation,toidentifyexistingneedsamongthemigrant targetgroup,and tounderstandexistingskillsandskillsshortagesbothamongmigrantandlocalhandcrafters.

The analysis of the results of the two surveyswill prepare the ground for the design of atailor-madeE-EducationalProgramme,whichwillbedeliveredatlocallevelthroughaseriesofworkshops,inordertoproperlyaddressthedifferencesandtoenhancethesimilaritiesintermsofknowledgeandexperience in thehandicraft sectorbetween the two targetgroupsandtheirculturesoforigin.

Authors

FrancescaVacanti–CESIE

RobertaLoBianco–CESIE

PennyClifton–CommunityActionDacorum

SimonaKrasauskiene–CommunityActionDacorum

StephaniTheophanous-GrantXpert

GeorgeBekiaridis–ActiveCitizensPartnership

AthanasiaDefingou–ActiveCitizensPartnership

TetianaPonomarenko-SocialInnovationFund

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1 LOCAL CONTEXTS

1.1 Overview of the situation of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the partner countries

ITALY

According to the last national demographic balance published by Istat in June 2018,andreferringto2017,thenumberofforeignerswhohavearrivedinItalyishigherthanthenumberofItalianswhohaveemigrated.However,asreportedbythestatisticmigrationdossier1publishedbyCentroStudi Idos,suchratiomayalsobeunderestimatedduetothe fact thatnotallmigrantshaveofficiallyregisteredinthedestinationcountry.

As of January 1st 2019, the population of Italian citizens was approximatively60.391.000, and thenumberofnon-nationalspresents in Italywas5.234.000, representing8.7%ofthetotalpopulation.2Insuchacontextandasfarasimmigrationflowsareconcerned,in2018,53.596peopleappliedforasylum.Amongthetotalnumberofapplicants,78.9%aremen,21.1%arewomen,7.1%arechildrenand6.8%areunaccompaniedchildren.3

AccordingtothelatestavailableEurostatdata4,inthefirstthreemonthsof2019,8.390newasylumapplicationswerepresented in Italy fromPakistan,Ukraine, El Salvador, Peru,Bangladesh, Venezuela, Albania, Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal, showing an increase inapplicationsfromLatinAmericanswhonowrepresentapproximatively16%ofallapplicantsin this3-monthperiod. In thesameperiodof2019, Italianterritorialcommissionsresolved21.620asylumapplications,recognizing10%asrefugees,6%assubsidiaryprotection,about2%ascomplementaryformofprotection,and82%oftheapplicationswererejected.5

As far as the specific context of Sicily is concerned, as of 1st January 2018, the foreignpopulationresidingintheregionreached193.014individuals,correspondingto3,8%ofthetotalpopulationresidingintheregion,withthehighestpresenceintheprovincesofPalermo

1DossierStatisticoImmigrazione2018,IDOS,availableathttps://www.dossierimmigrazione.it/prodotto/dossier-statistico-

immigrazione-2018/2DemographicIndicators,(pressrelease)2019ISTAT,availableat

https://www.istat.it/it/files//2019/02/Indicatoridemografici2018_EN.pdf3Aida,AsylumInformationDatabase,CountryReport:Italy,2018update,availableat

https://www.asylumineurope.org/reports/country/italy4Eurostat,Firstinstancedecisionsonapplicationsbycitizenship,ageandsexQuarterlydata(rounded),lastupdate13June

2019,availableathttp://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=migr_asydcfstq&lang=en5UNHCR,Italyfactsheet,May2019,availableathttps://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/70078

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andCatania,withca.36.000foreignerseach6.Apart fromthepopulationcomingfromotherEU countries (28%), the followingmacro-areas apply for Sicily: 20% fromNorthernAfrica,14%fromCentral-SouthAsiaand10%fromWesternAfrica.

CYPRUS

Cyprusisacountrythathostsalargenumberofforeigners.Duetoitspositionlocatedsome170kilometersofftheLebanesecoastand70kilometersofftheTurkishcoast,CyprushasbecomeanincreasinglypopularentrypointformigrantstryingtoreachtheEU7.In2018,based on the statistical data of the Cyprus Asylum Service, Cyprus reached its peak ofapplicationsforasylumwith5.000casesandmorethan6.000peopleseekingforasylum,witha32%increaseoftheapplicationscomparedtothepreviousyear.Moreover,17.500peopleappliedforasyluminCyprusoverthelast5years,from2014to2018.8Furthermore,nearly800personswererecognisedasrefugeesinCyprusbetween2014and2018,butareductionofthisnumberwasobservedinthepastfewyears.Finally,nearly6.200casesarestillpendingfor 2018, which means that the numbers mentioned above will increase in the followingyears.

Thecountriesoforiginofasylumseekersfor2017areSyria,withthehighestrateof39%, Indiawith10%,Vietnamwith8%,andcountries likeBangladesh,Egypt,Pakistan,SriLanka,Somalia,Cameroon,Philippinesandotherwithlowerrates.9Thispopulationisfacingmany difficulties, as in all cases of asylum-seekers, including inability to communicateproperly, lack of transportation, lack of interest from employers, which in turn impedesasylum-seekers’accesstoservicesofferedbythelabouroffice.Alltheseissuescontributetofurther reduce employment opportunities for migrants, who often strongly rely on thesupporttheyreceivefromSocialWelfareServicesofCyprusfortheirsubsistence.TheactivityrateofmigrantsinCyprusislimitedto50%,whichisquitelowcomparedtomanyotherEUcountries.,andthefewavailablejobstendtobelow-qualifiedandtoprovidelowsalaries.

GREECE

Greecehasbeenexperiencingmigrationforthelast30years,mainlyasaresultofthegeopoliticalchangesinCentralEasternEurope.Currently,theimmigrantpopulationinGreececorrespondstoabout1.3millionpeople,(12%ofthetotalpopulationof11millionpeople).WhiletheflowofrefugeesandmigrantsintoEuropeisbynomeansanewphenomenon,2015markedastepupinthescaleandnatureoftheproblem.Greeceisthemainentrypointonthe

6MigrazioniinSicilia2018,osservatoriomigrazioni,IstitutodiformazionepoliticaPedroArrupe,availableat

http://www.osservatoriomigrazioni.org.7RefugeesandmigrantsincreasinglyattemptingtoreachEUthroughCyprus,availableathttps://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/16468/refugees-and-migrants-increasingly-attempting-to-reach-eu-through-cyprus8AsylumServiceStatisticalData2008-2018,availableathttp://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/asylum/asylumservice.nsf/2CD77F5605187E5CC2257FE0003586F9/$file/Asylum%20Statistics%202008_2018.pdf9AsylumServiceStatisticalData,availableathttp://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/asylum/asylumservice.nsf/asylumservice18_gr/asylumservice18_gr?OpenDocument

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EasternMediterranean route, and the number of asylum applicants peaked in 2016 whenGreecebecamethefirstEUcountryfornumberofasylumapplicantscomparedtopopulation(withalmost5applicantsevery1000inhabitantscomparedto2.5intheEU28average).Theshareofwomenandchildrenbelow18isveryhigh(almost40%),reflectingthelargenumberoffamilyarrivalsfromSyriaandIraq.10

LITHUANIA

Formany years, the largestmajority of immigrantswas representedbyLithuaniancitizenswhopreviouslyemigratedandsubsequentlyreturnedtoLithuania(about82%).Therest were EU citizens (3 %) and non-EU citizens (15%). In 2018, this trend changed: theproportionofreturningLithuaniansfellto50%,whiletheshareofEUcitizensremainedthesame, but the share of non-EU citizens increased to 47%. 11 In Lithuania, there arealmost58,000foreigners(havingtemporaryorpermanentresidencepermits),correspondingto about 2% of the total population.12 The clear majority of these people come fromneighbouring countries suchasUkraine,BelarusandRussia, Latvia,Polandaswell as fromother EU countries. Foreigners from India, the United States, Turkey, Syria and othercountriesarecomingtoLithuania.

Asfarasasylum-seekersareconcerned,Lithuaniahasthreeformsofasylum:refugeestatus(permanent),subsidiaryprotection(themostcommontypeinthecountry,grantedfortwoyearswiththepossibilitytobeprolonged)andtemporaryprotection(canbegrantedbythe government if there is an increased number of people asking for asylum). Despite theEuropean Union experiencing the biggest influx of migrants due to the conflicts that arehappeningaroundtheworld,thenumberofasylumseekersinLithuaniaremainsthesame–on average 490 asylum applications per year. Most applications are received from Syria,Russia,Afghanistan,Belarus,AzerbaijanandTajikistan.13

Generally,peoplemovingtoLithuaniaareintheagerange20-49,andtheymoveforreasons related to work (55%), education (15%), family reunification (23.5%) and others(6.5%).

UNITEDKINGDOM

IntheUK,thenumberofrefugees,asylumseekersandEUmigrantshasbeendeclining,particularly since the 2016 referendum, while non-EU migration has continued to beconsistentlyhigher thanEUmigration.According to theUnitedNationsHighCommissioner

10Briefing report Integration of refugees in Greece,Hungary, Italy Employment and Social Affairs of European Parliament2018,availableathttp://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2018/614205/IPOL_STU(2018)614205_EN.pdf11Migrationinnumbers,availableathttp://123.emn.lt/en//12MigrationDepartmentoftheRepublicofLithuania.Officialstatistics(2018),availableathttps://www.migracija.lt13 The Ministry of the Interior, Issues of the Republic of Lithuania (2018). Migration Yearbook, available athttps://osp.stat.gov.lt/services-portlet/pub-edition-file?id=33220

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forRefugees (UNHCR), in2018 therewere126,720 refugees, 45,244pending asylumcasesand125statelesspersonsintheUK.14

AsylumapplicationstotheUKarerelativelylow.In2018,37,453peopleappliedforasylum.This number has been roughly constant over the past five years and is substantially lowerthanin2002,whenthenumberofapplicationspeakedat103,000.Asylumseekersmadeuparound5%ofimmigrantstotheUKin2018.Aminorityofapplicationsaresuccessfulatfirstdecision, some are successful upon appeal, and it can take years for a case to reach itsconclusion.15

TheUKalsooperatesresettlementprogrammestotakerefugeesdirectlyfromabroad,and the government has committed to resettling 20,000 Syrians by 2020 through theVulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. By the end of 2017, 10,538 Syrian refugees hadcometotheUKthroughthisscheme.16

1.2 Trends and attitudes towards the migration situation

ITALY

As shown by Eurobarometer data17, the total number of migrants from outside theEuropeanUnion present in Europe is overestimated across Europe, and especially in Italy,wherethispercentage,currentlycorrespondingto7%,isperceivedtobemuchhigher(25%).

AsfarasItalyisconcerned,ananalysiscarriedoutusingtheNIMindexdevelopedbythePewResearchCentre18,whichmeasuresthefeelingtowardsnationalismandimmigrants,showedthatthestrongeristhehostilitytowardmigrants,thehigheristheperceptionerroronthepresenceofmigrantsinacountry.Italyhasas,aresult,becometheEuropeancountrywiththehighestlevelofhostilitytowardsmigrationandreligiousminorities.

Furthermore, the study shows that many Italians believe that migrants worsen thecrimesituation,thejobsituationandthewelfarestate.19

ThetwolegislativedecreesissuedbytheMinisterofInterioronsecurityandmigrationarecreatingmuchcontroversyamongpublicopinion.TheDecreen.133of4October2018and

14AsylumintheUK-HomeOffice,UNHCR2018GlobalTrendsReport,availableathttps://www.unhcr.org/uk/asylum-in-the-uk.html15Migrationstatistics:HowmanyasylumseekersandrefugeesarethereintheUK?,March18,2019GeorginaSturge,availableathttps://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/insights/migration-statistics-how-many-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-are-there-in-the-uk/16Newglobalresettlementschemeforthemostvulnerablerefugeesannounced,availableathttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-global-resettlement-scheme-for-the-most-vulnerable-refugees-announced17IstitutoCattaneo, ImmigrazioneinItalia:trarealtàepercezione, agosto2018 ,availableathttp://www.cattaneo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Analisi-Istituto-Cattaneo-Immigrazione-realt%C3%A0-e-percezione-27-agosto-2018-1.pdf18 NIM index developed by the Pew Research Center, available at https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/06/19/western-europeans-vary-in-their-nationalist-anti-immigrant-and-anti-religious-minority-attitudes/19IstitutoCattaneo, ImmigrazioneinItalia:trarealtàepercezione, agosto2018 (http://www.cattaneo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Analisi-Istituto-Cattaneo-Immigrazione-realt%C3%A0-e-percezione-27-agosto-2018-1.pdf)

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the Decree n. 53 of 14 June 2019 drastically changed migrants’ situation in Italy. The firstdecree brings strict limitations in the restrictions on obtaining permits, eliminating sometypesofpermits,andcreatinguncertaintyaboutthevalidityofsomeof thealreadyexistingpermits.Additionally, thedecreechanges theSPRAR(SistemadiProtezioneperRichiedentiAsiloeRifugiati,i.e.systemofprotectionforasylum-seekersandrefugees)andthehospitalityconditions for asylum seekers. The system,whichwas considered to be a good example atEuropean level as it offers training and social integration opportunities, will be addressedexclusively topeopleentitled to internationalprotection,newresidencepermits for specialcases and unaccompanied migrant minors20. The presence of asylum seekers over a longperiodintheExtraordinaryReceptionCentres(CAS)setupbythePrefectures,whichoftendonotprovideappropriateproceduresforintegration,representsanegativefactorinboththeirphysicalandmentalhealth.

All this is reinforced by political and media discourses which have contributed tocreating a widespread anti-migrant feeling in recent years, regardless of social class,geographic origin or educational level, generating an increasing sense of exclusion,intoleranceanddiscrimination.21

CYPRUS

ThroughtherecentrescueofSyrianrefugeeswhohavebeenindangerwithinCypriotterritorialareas,Cyprushasshowninpracticethatitisreadytofullyrespondtotherefugeecrisis as part of its commitments under European law. Currently there are two receptioncentres for the protection and treatment of asylum seekers in the country, under thesupervision of the Asylum Service of Cyprus. Cyprus is a multicultural country, with apopulation of nearly 1 million people, who come from different countries, with differentnationalitiesandreligions.ThemajorityofCypriotsarekeentoacceptforeigners,andmanyfamilies have integrated them as members. In addition, there are several organisationssupporting themigrationpopulationof thecountry,offering themhealth treatment, shelterandfood.

However,theoverallsituationregardingmigrantsandrefugeesiscomplicatedenoughtocausetensionsbetweenthelocalpeopleofCyprusandforeigners.Therearesomecasesofforeignersabandoningtheirworkenvironment,theirhomesandtheirfriendsandrelativesinCyprusinordertoreturntotheircountriesoforiginwithoutpriornoticebeinggiventotheirlegalemployers. Ingeneral, therearemanygaps in legislation,making it impossible to findand help these people. Furthermore, there is a small percentage of the Cypriot populationwhichshowsracistattitudes,tendenciesandintentions,therebyincreasingtherivalryandthetensionbetweenlocalsandforeigners.However,behavioursofthiskindarenowcondemned

20 Migrazioni in Sicilia 2018, osservatorio migrazioni, Istituto di formazione politica Pedro Arrupe, available athttp://www.osservatoriomigrazioni.org21 Caritas Italiana, Common Home – Migration and Development in Italy, Rome, May 2019(https://www.caritas.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/CommonHomeItalyEN.pdf)

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byboththeCypriotgovernmentandbythemajorityofCypriotpeople.Anewintegrationplanfornon-nationalsisplanned.totacklesuchattitudes.22

GREECE

Despite the difficult economic situation, there is substantial empathy for recentnewcomers to Greece, and they are mostly seen as hard-working and well-intentioned.Almost77%ofpeoplebelievethatmigrantsarewillingtoworkharderandforlowerpaythanGreeks,andmorethanhalf(56%)believethatmigrantsmakeeffortstointegrateintoGreeksociety. While most endorse the principle of welcoming refugees and allowing them tomaintain their own traditions, themajority of Greeks questionwhether recent arrivals aregenuinerefugeesandholdnegativeviewsontheimpactofimmigrationontheircountryforbotheconomicandculturalreasons.Only21%ofGreeksbelievethatimmigrationisgoodfortheeconomy,andoverhalf(51%)believethatimmigrationiscostingthewelfaresystemanddraining resources. There is little support for other economic arguments in favour ofimmigration,suchasthepotentialbenefitofyoungermigrantswhosetaxescontributetothepensionsystem. Inasimilarvein, just22percentbelieve that immigrationmakesGreeceamore vibrant and exciting place to live, with 52 per cent rejecting the argument thatimmigrationhasenrichedGreekculturallife.ThesesentimentsalignwithGreeks’skepticismtowardsglobalizationasbothaculturalthreatandadriverofincreasedinequality.23

LITHUANIA

Lithuaniansaresignificantlymoreconcernedwiththeproblemofemigration,whichisacontroversialtopicinLithuania,andreceivesbroadmediacoverage.Thefactthatyoungpeople leave the country has been politicized and perceived negatively by the public.Additionally, the idea that theeconomicandpolitical situation“forces”Lithuanians to leavethecountryiswidespread.Immigrationisperceivedquitenegativelyaswell.Accordingtoasurvey carried out by IOM and the European Migration Network (EMN) in 2010, 58% of allLithuanian residents think that immigration of third country nationals is a negativephenomenon, especially for the labour market. However, the younger and more educatedpeopleviewimmigrationmorepositivelyandexpect it tobringeconomicadvantagestothecountry.24

Itisdifficulttogetajobwithouthavingatemporaryresidencypermit.Theprocessofapplyingforresidencypermit ishighlybureaucratic:applicationscanonlybedone ina fewcitiesandthewaitingtimecanbequitelong.Therefore,ifthetemporarytouristvisaexpires,

22ECRIConclusionsontheimplementationoftherecommendationsinrespectofCyprus,ECRISecretariatDirectorateGeneralII–Democracy-CouncilofEurope,availableathttps://rm.coe.int/interim-follow-up-conclusions-on-cyprus-5th-monitoring-cycle-/168094ce0523 Attitudes Towards National Identity. Immigration, and Refugees in Greece, 2019, available athttps://www.thesocialchangeinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Exec-Summary-Greece-Eng.pdf24Migrationinnumbers,IOMandtheEuropeanMigrationNetwork(EMN),availableathttp://123.emn.lt/en//

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andthereareafewmonthstowait,theapplicantmustreturnhome,orwaitforhis/herturninanon-Europeancountry.TheofficialsinthemigrationdepartmentsspeakpoorEnglish,sothereisaneedtohireaninterpreter.Peopleinruralareasaresuspiciousaboutmigrants,duetotheirculturaldifferencesintermsofreligionandfamilyattitudes.

UNITEDKINGDOM

BritishpeoplearemorepersuadedofthebenefitsofimmigrationthananyothermajorEuropean nation, according to a global survey, which has also found that almost half ofBritons think immigrants are either positive or neutral for the country.25The YouGov–CambridgeGlobalismsurveyfoundthat28%ofBritonsbelievedthebenefitsofimmigrationoutweighedthecosts,comparedwith24%inGermany,21%inFranceand19%inDenmark.Afurther20%ofBritishpeoplebelievedthecostsandbenefitswereaboutequal,while16%werenot sure.However, immigration is still unpopularwith a clearmajority of theBritishpublic favouring reduced levels. Immigration is also perceived to be one of the ‘mostimportant issues facing theBritish public, though its salience has declined since theBrexitreferendum.Thishasrealconsequences,notjustforhowpeoplefeelaboutmigration,butfornationally vital issues likeBrexit, given that just about all analyses put concern aboutimmigrationatornearthetopofthereasonswhyamajorityofUKvoterssupportedleavingtheEU.

Misperceptions about migration are so commonplace they’re often accepted with ashrug.SurveysshowBritonsthinkaroundaquarterofthepopulationareimmigrants,whenit’shalf that, at around13%.And they think immigration fromEUcountries isnearlythreetimestheactuallevelof6%.It’snotjustthescale,butthecompositionthatpeoplegetwrong.Whenpeoplewereaskedwhatcomestotheirmindwhentheythinkofimmigration,refugeesandasylumseekersare themostmentioned,when they’reactually thesmallestcategoryofimmigrants.People’smentalimageisdrivenbymediacoverageandthetendencyistofocuson themostdesperate cases,not themorecommoncategoriesofpeoplewho immigrate towork,studyorbewithfamily.26

1.3 Overview of the labour landscape, employment support and learning opportunities available for migrants

ITALY

25BritonsmostpositiveinEuropeonbenefitsofimmigration,availableathttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/02/britons-more-sold-on-immigration-benefits-than-other-europeans26WhatBritonsgetwrongaboutimmigration–andwhypoliticiansneedtotellthemthetruth,January3,20196.26amEST,http://theconversation.com/what-britons-get-wrong-about-immigration-and-why-politicians-need-to-tell-them-the-truth-109306

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MostofthemigrantsarrivingtoItalyareskilledinmanuallabour27.Someexamplesofcommon jobs migrants used to do in their country of origin are mechanics, construction-related jobs,metalworkers and tailors. Othermigrantsworked as farmers, shepherds andfishermen. Among unskilled manual workers, the most frequent jobs are drivers,construction-relatedjobs,cleanersandwaiters.Theself-employedinthecountryoforiginaremostlyshop-ownersorpeopleworking ina familyshop;otherswere involved in tradeandcommerce in local markets, handcrafters selling their creations, artists and musicians.Employees representadiversecategorycomposedofpeopleemployed inservice jobs, jobsinvolvingtravellingandworkingatadesk.Italsoincludesmilitaryandsecurityofficialsthatmake up 40.2% of this group. Some other common examples of jobs in this category are:teachers,peopleperformingadministrativeofficeworkandreceptionists.

AccordingtoOECD-OrganisationforEconomicCo-operationandDevelopment-data,migrants are often subjected to labour exploitation and at the same time they face severalbarriers in accessing medium and higher sectors of the labour market. This is caused by,among others, discrimination, skills-mismatch or lack of skills recognition. All this isworsened by the state of the Italian job market, which is characterised by high levels ofunemploymentandinformalworking.

However, the recent creation of the National Agency for Policies on Active Work(ANPAL)andthereinforcementofnationalemploymentcentres(Centriperl’Impiego),whichresultedinthestrengtheningofconnectionstotheItalianrefugeereceptionsystem(SPRAR),are all very promising steps. 28 Moreover, the development of the Italian Website onIntegration by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies represents a tool created todisseminate information on integration services formigrants throughout the country. Thewebsite listswebsites advertising jobopportunities and the entities that canhelpmigrantswhowanttobeself-employedtounderstandthelocalpolicies,whatarethestepstheyneedtotake,offeringadvice,guidance,mentoring,training,facilitatingaccesstobusinessstart-upincentives and financial resources and micro-credit. The new security decree 133/2018delaystheproceduresfortheregistrationofasylumseekersandcreatesobstaclesforthemtoobtain the residencepermit, i.e. thedocument that allows them towork in Italy. The samedecree removed the possibility for asylum seekers to stay in the SPRAR system, whichrepresented the only integrated system providing vocational training and internships (thesystemisneverthelessstillavailableforbeneficiariesofinternationalprotection).29

CYPRUS

27IOM,Studyonmigrants’profilesdriversofmigrationandmigratorytrends,AresearchonthesocioeconomicprofileofmigrantsarrivinginItaly,2016,availableathttps://italy.iom.int/sites/default/files/news-documents/Migrants%20Study%20-%20FINAL%20ENG%20VERSION%20-%20ELEC.pdf28CaritasItaliana,CommonHome–MigrationandDevelopmentinItaly,Rome,May2019,availableathttps://www.caritas.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/CommonHomeItalyEN.pdf29SGI,Accesstothelabourmarket–Italy,AIDAwebsitehttps://www.asylumineurope.org/reports/country/italy/reception-conditions/employment-education/access-labour-market#footnote2_6cx45ji

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Based on research made by GrantXpert, many foreigners have not received anysupportfromthegovernmentontheirarrivalinCyprus,whileothershavefoundsomelevelofsupportfromtheCypriotgovernment,friendsorprivateagencies.Inparticular,foreignershave some opportunities to learn the Greek language by attending lessons offered by thegovernmentofCyprus, throughanumberof trainingprogrammessupportbythestructuralfundsinallCypriotcities.ThemajorityofforeignerslivinginCyprusdonotspeakGreek,asEnglishisawell-spokenlanguagebylocalsandforeignersalike.Moreover,themigrantsandrefugees usually find jobs from friends, private employment agencies, newspapers, socialmediaandevenaskingforajobdoortodoor.However,peoplewhohavenoconnectionsoraccesstoresourceshavedifficultiesinfindingajob.Themostcommonsectorofemploymentfor women, based on the latest data of UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency), is as homecarers/cleaners(85,7%),andtheremainderworkinequalproportioninfarming,agricultureandat gas stations.30Theemployment sectors formendiffer andare spreadacross severaltypes ofwork. Specifically,most of them areworking in farms and agriculture (36,4%), ashomecarers/cleaners (22,7%) and in smaller proportions they work in jobs related tocarwashing, gas stations, officework anddelivery services.Overall, the threemostpopularjobsamongrefugees inCyprusarecleaning (47,2%), farmingandagriculture(25%)andatgasstations(11,1%).31

FarminganddomesticworkarenotappealingtotheCypriotlabourforce,whichisthemainreasonwhyasylumseekersareemployedinthesespecificsectors.Manyoftheasylumseekers in Cyprus are highly educated and they are skilled in many fields, hence theiremploymentinthenon-manualsectorscanpositivelyaffecttheeconomyofthecountry.32Thefindingsoftheresearchshowthatthemainsectorsthatimmigrantsareemployedinaremidand low skilled jobs in Cyprus, such as domestic work, carers, construction, gastronomy,tourism and hospitality. Domestic workers, cleaners and carers consist almost entirely ofAsianpeople,primarilyFilipino,SriLankan,andwomenfromIndia.Inaddition,someEasternEuropeanshavealsobeguntoworkinthesefields.Ingeneral,thesalariesthatCypriotpeopleareofferingtoforeignersaretoolowcomparedtoEuropeanstandards33.

GREECE

Labourmarket conditions inGreece deteriorated significantly since the start of thecrisisandtheshort-termoutlookremainsgrim.Theunemploymentrateescalatedtorecordlevelsandemploymentlevelshavebeenfalling,andforeignershavebeenaffectedtoagreater

30FiguresataGlance,availableathttps://www.unhcr.org/figures-at-a-glance.html31Cyprus:Distributionofemploymentbyeconomicsectorfrom2008to2018,availableathttps://www.statista.com/statistics/382141/employment-by-economic-sector-in-cyprus/32WebportaloftherepublicofCyprus,availableathttp://www.cyprus.gov.cy/portal/portal.nsf/gwp.getGroup?OpenForm&access=0&SectionId=noneu&CategoryId=Work%20and%20Occupation&SelectionId=European%20Union%20Citizen%20Workers&print=0&lang=en33TheLivingConditionsofAsylum-SeekersinCyprus,May2018,UnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees(UNHCR)inCyprusandtheUniversityofNicosia,availableathttps://www.unhcr.org/cy/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2018/05/LivingConditionsofAsylumSeekersReport.pdf

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extent than nationals. Furthermore, the number of people at risk of poverty or socialexclusionhasincreaseddramatically.Accordingtothelatestdata(2017),theunemploymentrateofthirdcountrynationalsexceedsthatofnationalsbyaconsiderablemargin(38.3%asopposedto26.1%).Occupationsandactivitieswheremigrantworkersaremorerepresentedarethosemoreseverelyhitbytheeconomiccrisis. InGreece,mostofthemigrantsworkingare either unskilled or semi-skilled manual workers, working in the primary sector,construction, in tourism, in small trades and inmanufacturing activities (such as food andbeverages, textiles, furniture,). Many others are employed by private households. Mostmigrantworkers receive low pay and are employed in temporary and seasonal jobs, oftenwithoutanyinsurance34.

Thedifficultiesintherecognitionandcertificationofqualificationsisoneofthemainchallengesto labourmarket integrationofthird-countrynationals. Inordertobeemployed,asylum seekers and third-country nationals have to obtain work permits, employmentlicenses,etc.,generatingan‘administrativeburden’whichdeterssomeemployersfromhiringthem.

In Greece some supportive measures have been adopted to improve migrants’integration in the education system and language skills, as well as to enhance the labourmarketintegrationofbeneficiariesofinternationalprotectionandasylumseekers.However,the effective implementation of these measures has been difficult, due to large inflows ofasylumseekersintimesofeconomicandlabourmarketchallenges.

Beneficiariesof internationalprotectionholdingavalidresidencepermithaveaccesstopaidemployment,servicesorworkorareabletoexerciseindependenteconomicactivity,under the same conditions as nationals. Applicants for international protection – aftercompleting the application procedure and if in possession of the ‘international protectionapplicantcard’or‘asylumseeker’scard’–haveaccesstopaidemploymentortotheprovisionofservices.Asylumseekersmayalsohaveaccesstothelabourmarketwherethecompletionof the application procedure is delayed for reasons which are not the applicant’s fault.However, these provisions have remained largely on paper. Measures supporting labourmarket access, including language courses, training and recognition of skills are notsufficientlydevelopedandarefragmentedoveranumberofprojects implementedbyNGOswiththesupportofEUfunds.Althoughthenationalstrategyfortheinclusionofthird-countrynationals of April 201335emphasizes the role of information, training and employmentservices(includingsupportforself-employment),itsimplementationishinderedbythelackofadevelopedsystemofactivelabourmarketpolicies.

34TheSocialandEmploymentSituationinGreece,availableathttp://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/note/join/2013/507491/IPOL-EMPL_NT(2013)507491_EN.pdf352013NationalStrategyfortheIntegrationofThirdCountryNationals,availableathttps://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/index.cfm?action=furl.go&go=/librarydoc/greece-national-strategy-for-the-integration-of-third-country-nationals-23/04/2013

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LITHUANIA

In general, about 55% of migrants arriving to Lithuania are job seekers. As of thismoment, basedon thedata from theLithuanianLabourExchange, Lithuania lacks a labourforceinthefollowingprofessions:driversofinternationalfreightvehicles,welders,metalhullassemblers,concreteworkers,electricians,plasterers,tailors,etc.36

The issue of migrant’s employment is directly related to their qualification andlanguageskills.ItisindeedquitedifficulttogainemploymentwithoutspeakingatleastsomeLithuanian.Inmostcases,highlyqualifiedjobsareonlyaccessiblebypassingalanguagetest.Another issue is that some employers tend to hire migrants illegally, leading to otherproblemssuchastheabsenceofmedicalsupport,andunfairpay.Alotofrequirementsandobstacles to being employed, are caused by legal regulations aimed at preserving theLithuanianlabourmarketforLithuaniancitizens.AnadditionalissueisthecompetitionwithqualifiedLithuanianworkforcewhenapplying forahighlyqualified job,and the lackof jobopportunitiesforEnglish-speakers.

For EU citizens, the process of employment in Lithuania is fairly simple. Non-EUforeignerswhowishtoworkinLithuaniahavetomeetspecificconditions,namelytheyfirstneedto findanemployerandtogetaworkpermitoradecision incompliancewith labourmarketneeds.Afterthat,a foreignercanapplyforaworkvisaoraresidencepermit.Thereareseveralstepsmigrantsshouldtakeinordertoobtainajob37:

1. Findajobvacancy/employer2. Obtainaworkpermit3. Getavisa/residencepermit

Language learning and confirmation of qualifications represent two of the majorobstacles that new arrivals encounter, as the language is not easy. Several institutionsorganizecourses,andmostthemareinVilnius.Theindividualswhohaveacquiredacertainlevelofeducationand/orareholdersof foreignqualificationswillingtostudyatLithuanianhighereducationinstitutionsmaycontacttheappropriateinstitutionsregardingassessmentandrecognitionofforeignqualifications.

As far as support and assistance for migrants are concerned, there are severalwebsiteswheremigrantsandforeignerscanfindusefulinformationonmoving/returningtoLithuania, work, education, integration, socialization, housing and healthcare, social,psychological and legal assistance (e.g. Renkuosi Lietuva centre, the Return HomeorganizationandtheIOM-InternationalOrganizationforMigration,RedCrossorganization).

UNITEDKINGDOM

36Migrationinnumbers.availableathttp://123.emn.lt/en//37RenkuosiLietuva,availableathttps://www.renkuosilietuva.lt/en/

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Researchshowsthattheforeignbornmadeup17%oftheemployedpopulationintheUKin2018.UnemploymentratesforbothmigrantsandtheUKbornfellsteadilyfrom2012to2018andunemployedmigrantswerelesslikelytoclaimunemploymentbenefits(18%)thanUKbornunemployedworkers(26%).WorkersborninIndia,EastandSoutheastAsiaandinEU-14 countries aremore likely to be in high skilled occupations than the UK born,whilethoseborninnewEUmemberstatesaremorelikelytobeinlow-skilledoccupations.

A thirdofworkersborn innewEUmember stateswere in retail andmanufacturingjobsin2018.IndianandEU-14bornworkershadthehighestannualisedmedianearningsin2018.Morethanhalfofhighly-educatedworkersborninnewEUmemberstates(56%)wereinlowandmedium-lowskilledjobsin2018;foreign-bornworkersweremorelikelytoworkduringnightshiftsandinnon-permanentjobsthantheUKborn.38

Recentresearch from the University of Oxford39hasfoundthatasylummigrantsarelesslikelytobeinemploymentthanindividualsbornintheUKandothermigrantgroups.AsylummigrantswhoareemployeesearnlessandworkfewerhoursthanUK-bornandothermigrantworkforces.

Ontheotherhand,asylummigrantsaremorelikelytobeinself-employmentthantheUK-born and other migrants.In total, 21% of asylum migrants in employment are self-employed compared to 14% among UK-born workers. Additionally, unemployed asylummigrantsaremorelikelytorelyonpublicagencies(e.g.jobcentres)tolookforjobs.Intotal,37%ofunemployedasylummigrantsusedpublicagenciesastheirmainjobsearchmethod,representingabouttwicetherateofUK-bornunemployedjob-seekers.

Localauthoritieshavealegaldutytoensurethateducationisavailableforallchildrenofcompulsoryschoolageresidentintheirlocalareathatisappropriatetoage,abilityandanyspecialeducationalneeds(SEN)theymayhave,irrespectiveofachild'simmigrationstatusorrightsofresidence.Refugeeandasylumseekerchildrenandyoungpeoplehowever,canoftenfindithardertoaccesseducationcomparedwithothergroups.Thereisstrongpublicsupportfor international student migration, and people generally understand the economic andeducational benefits brought to Britain by international students.40There is some financialhelp for studyingatuniversity available for refugees,but tuition feesdependonaperson’simmigrationstatus,wheretheylive,andhowlongtheyhavebeenresidentintheUK.

Advice on job searching and benefits is available from the government website.RefugeescangethelpandfinancialsupportthroughtheUKbenefitssystemiftheyarelookingforwork,arenotwellenoughtowork,arealoneparent,areonalowincomeoriftheyhave

38MigrantsintheUKLabourMarket:AnOverview,15Jul2019UKLabour,availableathttps://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/uk-public-opinion-toward-immigration-overall-attitudes-and-level-of-concern/39Newreportexploresbarrierstoemploymentforrefugeesand‘asylummigrants’,25Apr2019,availableathttps://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/bulletins/migrationstatisticsquarterlyreport/august201840International students and theUK immigrationdebate report, available at https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/policy-and-analysis/reports/Pages/international-students-uk-immigration-debate.aspx

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reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit. Many cities have migrant resource centresproviding career advice, creating CVs, mentoring, job searching support, assistance withcompletingapplicationsandinterviewpractice.

1.4 Overview and trends of the local handicraft sector

ITALY

Italy has a great tradition and a vast heritage of skilled handcrafters distributed indiversesectorsandprocesses,whichoftenderive fromancientpopularartisticexpressionshanded down over the centuries. In recent years, the Italian craft sector has expandedbecauseofapartofnewindividualartisanenterprisesledbymigrants(theentrepreneurialskills of migrants are generally considered higher than those of the native population).Migrant craftsmanship is a universe composed of 181,494 companies, 71% led by anentrepreneurbornoutsideItaly,andrepresents13.5%oftheentiresector.Romania,AlbaniaandChinaarethemaincountriesoforiginoftheentrepreneursandtheyareresponsiblefor43.7%ofthisimportantpieceofthenationalpicture.41

Thelatestavailabledata42showsthat7.6%ofartisanswerenon-EUcitizensin2017:128,429 out of a total of 1,700,816. The percentagewas slightly higher compared to 2016(7.3%) and2015 (7.1%).The artisan activity confirmeda strongmalebiasboth in general(79.4%) and among non-EU citizens (82.8%). In 2017 the regions with the highestconcentrationofnon-EUhandcrafterswereLombardy(25.2%),Emilia-Romagna(16.9%)andTuscany (14.4%). The non-EU handcrafters are significantly younger than the totalhandcrafters, andn 2017 about half of themwere under 40. Albanians are the communitymostpresent among artisans (25.1%), followedby Chinese (14.9%), Moroccans (10.5%),Egyptians(8,7%)andTunisians(6.3%).Thesamereportalsounderlinesthatalmostoneinthree companies comprising foreigners (32%) are artisans. They are often services andactivities linked to very traditional sectors (food, tailoring, handicraft...) that leverage thenative culture as a strategic asset creating a cultural bridge with the hosting culture andprovidingnewsolutions..Thesebusinessesadditionallystimulatemutual learning betweenthemigrantandlocalprofessionalsinsharedfieldsandtopics.43

As far as the specific area of Palermo is concerned, the current situation is alsocharacterisedbynewcraftsassociationsestablishedinrecentyears;anexampleistheALAB

41Unioncamere, Camere di Commercio d’Italia, Artigiani immigrati: boom di sarti, imprese di pulizia e giardinieri Rumeni,Albanesi e Cinesi i più numerosi, Comunicato stampa, novembre 2016, available athttp://www.unioncamere.gov.it/P42A3249C160S123/-artigiani-immigrati--boom-di-sarti--imprese-di-pulizia-e-giardinieri.htm42Ottavorapportoannuale.GlistranierinelmercatodellavoroinItalia,availableathttps://www.cliclavoro.gov.it/Barometro-Del-Lavoro/Documents/2018/Ottavo-Rapporto-Annuale-Gli-stranieri-nel-mercato-del-lavoro-in-Italia.pdf43MinisterodelLavoroedellePoliticheSociali,OttavoRapportoAnnuale–GliStranierinelMercatodelLavoroinItalia,luglio2018,availableathttps://www.cliclavoro.gov.it/Barometro-Del-Lavoro/Documents/2018/Ottavo-Rapporto-Annuale-Gli-stranieri-nel-mercato-del-lavoro-in-Italia.pdf

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association,whichwasfoundedin2010withtheaimofcreatingaspaceforculturalinitiativetopursueanincreaseinknowledge,andencouragementintheartandcraftssector.Todayithasabouteightyworkshopsandthreehundredmembersandit isconsideredtobeamajorforce for thecity, carryingout social andcultural tasks throughvarious initiatives.Anotheruseful tool isCrezikit, awebsite thatmapsevery local craft shop, creating anetwork thatanalyses the different types of contemporary work, including co-design and communityactivities,inordertopursuesocialinnovationtopromotecontemporarycultures.

CYPRUS

Cyprus has a long traditionof handicrafts, since in thepast people living in villageswereworkingonmanydifferenthandicraftsasahobbyaswellasajob.ThemaintraditionalhandicraftssectionsinCyprusareknitting,pottery,shoe-makingandbasketweaving,whichisabigpartofCypriottraditionalthoughonlyfewpeoplestillpractiseittoday.However,localCypriot people work in many different sectors of handcrafts. In particular, women arepractisingknitting, jewellery-making, sewing, aswell asdesigningandmakingclothes.Menareworkingonhandcraftusingmainlywood,metal,clay,bone,horn,glass,orstone,aswellashandcrafts suchas shoemaking,metalworkand instrumentmaking.Crafts suchaspottery,baking,andmosaicmakingarepopularwithbothgenders.44Manyhandcraftersdonothaveany professional qualifications or related education, but through practice and hands-onlearning, they managed to learn important parts and aspects of their job. However, manylocalshavetakenpublicorprivate lessons,andtheyacquireddiplomas,certificatesorevenbachelor’sdegrees.45

GREECE

The recent economic crisis and socio-economic changes of the last ten years havecreatedanewtrenddevelopingthefieldofhandicrafts.Greeksocietydiscreditedthestatusandroleofthecrafter,consideringanyactivitytobeamateur.Thisperceptionseemstohavechangedinrecentyears,whenthecraftersseemtohavere-gainedaprofessionalstatusandproductionona small scale seems tohave increased. Indeed, inorder to face theeconomicdownturn,manypeople,especiallywomen,launchednewentrepreneurialactivitiesbasedonhandicraft, producing shoes, jewellery, clothes, accessories and bags. This helped manyGreeks to overcome unemployment while making the creative economy thrive46. Greekculturalheritagefeaturesagreathandicrafttradition,leadingtothedesignandproductionofavarietyofobjectsusingclay,marble,silverandgold.OneofthemostancienttechniquesinGreek tradition is pottery,which led to the production of storage-jars, amphoras, and jugs,

44CyprusHandicrafts,availableathttps://www.cyprusnet.com/article/cyprus-handicrafts.html45Cyprusstatisticalservice,availableathttps://www.mof.gov.cy/mof/cystat/statistics.nsf/labour_31main_en/labour_31main_en?OpenForm&sub=1&sel=246MeetthenewGreekcraftswomen,availableathttps://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Greece/Meet-the-new-Greek-craftswomen-183185

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among others. For 6.000 years, art items have been decorated by silver and gold, andtraditionaltechniquessuchasetching,hammering,wireworkarestillusedinmanypartsofGreece to produce jewellery. Additionally, Greece has a long-standing tradition of marblecarvingwhichcontinuestoinspiremanyartists.47

The handcraft sector has seen rapid development over the last ten years, and,combined with the tourism and cultural sector, it seems to have very positive results onemploymentandrevenues.Theincreasedinterest incraftproductshasalsoencouragedthecreation of companies to promote this trend.Askardamykti is a craft institute based in thecentreofAthens. It is averyhospitableplacewhere courses for - amongothers - footweardesignandleatherbags,bookbinding,luthiersareheld.TheytrytocombineGreektraditionswith the needs and demands of today.Moreover, in 2013, one year before the opening ofAskardamykti, two young women launched JamJar, the first Greek portal dedicated tohandmadeproductswithauniquedesign.Itstartedbyshowingtheworkof20designersandcraftsmen.Nowithostsmorethan400,selectedamongmanyotherswithqualitycriteria.48

LITHUANIA

ThehandicraftsectorinLithuaniaisverybroadandvaried.Traditionalcraftproductioniscurrentlypopular,becausepeoplearewillingtopossessuniquethings.Thedifferentkindsof traditional crafts, produced in Lithuania, are defined by different factors, such asgeographical location, local plants species, farming, different historical events andglobalization.ThemostpopularcraftsinLithuaniaarepottery,weaving,carvingandwoodencrafts, blacksmithing, strawgardenmaking (3D constructionsmadeof dried straw),woventextiles (blankets, tablecloths, colourful carpets), amber decorations and jewellery, candlemakingandwaxproductionboiledwoolknitting, other crafts related to traditionalholidayattributes (making masks for Užgavėnės carnival, making Easter eggs, making Verbos -bouquetsofdriedplantsusedontheSundaybeforeEaster,etc).

RuraltourismiscurrentlyextremelypopularinLithuania,andlocalvillagehandicraftsare also getting more and more popular. Tourists wish to become more familiar withtraditionalcrafts,theirhistoryandwayofcreation.Handcrafters'sworkshopsareaimednotonly at introducing tourists to the specifics of the craft, but also at enabling touriststhemselvestocontributetotheproductionprocessandgettoknowthespecificsofthecraft.Lithuanianhandcrafterscreatetheirproductionwithorientationtoparticulartargetgroups:smaller or larger, local or foreign groups of tourists. 49 Many craft centres are beingestablishedalloverLithuaniainhistory,artsandethnicalhandicraftmuseums,craftcentresand regional municipality centres. Handicrafts attract visitors, and, therefore, are alsobecomingpopularwithentrepreneurs.

47ArtcraftinGreece,availableathttp://www.visitgreece.gr/en/civilisation/art_crafts_in_greece48Grecia:Lenuoveartigiane,availableathttps://www.balcanicaucaso.org/aree/Grecia/Grecia-le-nuove-artigiane-18318549Zuromskaite,B.(2011).PossibilitiesoftraditionalandancientcraftsusageforpopularizationofculturaltourisminLithuania.

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Research results indicate that localhandcraftersview thecraft sector’susefulness interms ofmigrants' socialization, enhancement of their skills andmutual cultural exchange,learning theLithuanian language,adoptionof local customsand traditions.Asaconclusion,wemayseethathandicraftmaybeanadvantageous fieldwheremigrantscouldapplytheirexpertise and skill: a formal educational degree is not required in order to become ahandcrafter.Ethnictourismisbecomingmoreandmorepopular,andthesectorgivespeoplethe possibility of moving out from the city and working in rural areas, as well as thepossibilityofbecominganentrepreneurorbeinghiredbyotherhandcrafters.

UNITEDKINGDOM

In the UK, the top trends related to handicraft in 2019 areDirty Pouring (mixingvariouspaintcolourstogetherbeforepouringontothechosencanvas.),pyrography(burningdesignintowood,candlemaking,origami,wabisabi(makingafeatureofrepairs),recycling,reusing,weavingandcalligraphy.

Sincetechnologynowallowspeopletoaccessinformationatafasterrate,retailersareforcedtodifferentiatetheirproductrangefromonlineretailers,which, inturn, is leadingtoincreaseddemandforhandcraftedproducts.In2016,TheGuardianreportedthattheUK£3billion craftmarket is growing at a rateof 4.5%per year andwith consumers increasinglyaware ofwhat they are buying, they are constantly seeking to connectwithmanufacturersbehind distinctive products, and they are increasingly interested not only in the history ofproduction,butalsointhehistoryofthemanufacturer.Thereisastrongappetiteforbespokeandhandcraftedproducts,andretailerswhocareabouttheseproducts,provideanadditional"x-factor"thatislikelytoridethewaveofmarketchallenges;thishascreatedanewmarketopportunity for independentretailersandboutiques, increasing thehandicraftsector in theUK.50

IntheUKtheCraftsCouncil,isapromotionalbodycommittedtofosteringcraftsinUK.Thecouncil’saimintostrengthenthecommunityofmakers,toenableeveryonetobecreativethroughtheactofmaking, tobring togetherdifferentcommunities throughcraft-enhancingtraditions, to increase customers’ interest in the craftmarket, to supportmakers and craftenterprises.Moreover,theofficialwebsiteofthecounciloffersnewsandresearchaboutoldandnewpolicies,aboutprofessionalandbusinessdevelopment,anditpromotesanddisplaysartexhibitions,personalhandcrafters’websitesandeverythingrelatedtohandicraftinUK.51

50GlobalHandicraft:Riseindemandforartisanproductshttps://www.autumnfair.com/news/global-handicraft-rise-in-demand-for-artisan-products51CraftCouncil,availableathttps://www.craftscouncil.org.uk

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2 RESULTS FROM THE FIELD STUDY RESEARCH

2.1 Interviews

IntheperiodbetweenMarch2019andmid-June2019eachpartnerorganisationoftheMyHandScraft project carried out a series of interviews in order to fill in the Field StudyResearch State of the Art Report. The field study research was conducted in each partnercountry, namely Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania andUnitedKingdom, by holding in-personinterviews of a total of 250 persons, 50 in each country. Among these 50 respondents percountry,25weremigrants,newly-arrivedrefugeesorasylumseekers,andtheother25were local handcrafters or artists. The interviews of the migrants’ group were madethroughthehelpoflocalreferralagencies,suchasmigrantassociations,immigrationsupportservicesororganizations, educationalpartners,whichhelpedeachproject’spartner to findmigrant people interested in participating in the interviews. The interviews for thehandcrafters’groupweremadeinhandicraftbusinesses,cultural&artisticassociationsandlocal craft shops; theywere conductedby adult educators, interculturalmediators, trainersandsocialworkersofeachpartnerorganisationoftheproject.

2.2 Target groups description

2.2.1 Migrants

Most of the people interviewed in Italy werefrom Gambia and Ivory Coast, others were fromNigeria,Tunisia,MoroccoandGuineaConakry.OthercountriesoforiginnamedbyfewerpeoplewereChile,Mali, Tunisia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Senegal, BurkinaFaso,Cameroon,Kenya,RepublicofBeninandGuinea(Bissau). Mostof themwere in the18-25and26-35age group, respectively 44% and 32% of totalrespondents,while12%wereinthe36-45agegroupand another 12% in the 46-55 group. The gender ofthe interviewees is almost balanced with a slightpredominanceofmales(15)overfemales(10),andallofthemhavebeeninItalyformorethan1year,withapredominanceofpeoplewhohavebeeninItalyfor1to5years,andasmallpercentageformorethanfiveyears. Twelve out of 25 have defined themselves as “migrants”, some having subsidiary

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politicalasylum,workpermit,familypermitorresidencepermitforstudyreasons,andoneofthemhavingcitizenship,beingmarriedtoanItalian.Onlytwopeoplefallrespectivelyinthe“asylum seekers status” and the “refugee status”. Finally, 11 out of 25 have other forms ofpermits, such as humanitarian protection (now changing into protection for special cases),medicalresidencepermit,andonlyoneisasecond-generationmigrant.

InCyprus,the25interviewees,withapredominanceoffemalesovermales(17against8),wereallfromPhilippinesexceptfor1fromNepal,1fromBangladesh,1fromIndiaand1fromBulgaria.InCyprus40%oftherespondentswereinthe36-45agegroup,32%inthe26-35,24%inthe46-55andonly4%inthe18-25agegroup.Theperiodofresidence ismoreevenlydistributed,withmostofthemigrantshavingbeeninCyprusformorethan5years(12outof25),8morefor1to5yearsandjust5peopleforlessthan1year.Twelverespondentshaveaworkingvisa,1respondentismarriedwithsomeonefromCyprusandtheremaining12onlysaidtheyaremigrants,withoutspecifyingwhichkindofvisa/permittheyhave.

In Greece the migrants interviewed have different origins compared to the othercountries,withapredominanceofAfghans, Iraniansand Iraqisanda smallernumber fromTurkey, Nigeria and India. Their gender is almost balanced, with a little predominance ofmalesoverfemales,respectively15and10.Theagerangeoftherefugeesisn'tsohighsincemostofthemareinthe26-55agegroup,representing80%ofthetotalgroup.Moreover,only4%of themare over55 and16%of themareunder26. 40%of themare asylum seekers,while28%fallintotherefugeestatus.SincemostoftheinterviewsinGreeceweremadeinarefugeecamp,theintervieweesweremostlyasylumseekerswaitingtobeinterviewedbytheAsylumserviceoffice inordertoobtaintheirdocuments, thusabigpartof themhavebeenlivinginGreeceforlessthanoneyear,andanothersignificantpercentagefor1to5years.

InLithuania themigrants interviewedweremainlyfrom Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Poland, Netherlands, USA,Afghanistan,Morocco,SyriaandVietnam.Theirgenderwasalmostbalancedwith16femalesand14males.Thebiggestnumberof respondents, corresponding to11people, werefrom26to35yearsold;9morepeoplewereinthe18-25agegroup,5personsinthe36-45agegroup,2personsinthe46-55agegroup,1respondentinthe56-65agegroupand2more

peoplewereover65.Themajorityofmigrants(73%)

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arrived as economic migrants and others as family members, married with Lithuaniancitizens.Sixmorepeoplewererefugeesand2otherrespondentswerewaitingfortemporaryresidency permit confirmation. Their time of residence was varied; 8 people had been inLithuaniaforlessthan1year,15peoplefrom1to5yearsandtheremaining7peoplemorethan5years.

In theUnited Kingdom themigrants interviewed had different origins, somewerefromEUcountriessuchasItaly,Portugal,Lithuania,Latvia,RomaniaandPoland,othersfromnon-EUcountriessuchasIndia,Pakistan,ArgentinaandtheCaribbean.Againhere,thereisaprevalenceof femalesovermales(16against10).About42%of themwereunder25yearsold, about 19% of them were in the 26-35 age group,about11%inthe36-45agegroup,about23%inthe46-55agegroupandtheremaining3%wereover56.Alloftherespondentsareconsideredmigrantswith6of themhavingBritishcitizenship.Finally,11%ofthemhavebeenin UK for less than one year, about 46% of them havebeeninthehostcountryfor1to5years,andabout42%,havebeenintheUKformorethan5years.

2.2.2 Local handcrafters

InItaly,thegroupofhandcraftersinterviewedisavariedgroupintermsofage,withaprevalenceof femalesovermales (17against8);8%of themwere in the18-25agegroup,36%inthe26-35group,32%in36-45,20%in46-55,4%inthe56-65agegroup.Themostcommonsectorslocalhandcraftersworkinarebookbinding,leatherwork,ceramics,tailoringand textiles, jewellery, woodwork and carpentry, serigraphy, painting, restoration,photography and some "innovative" sectorswhere recycledmaterials areusedor inwhichtwoormoresectorsintersectbetweenthemselves.

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5% 14%

18%45%

18%

AGEHANDCRAFTERS26-35

36-45

46-55

56-65

65+

InCyprus,allthoseinterviewedwereover25yearsofage:24%werein26-35agegroup,thesamepercentageinthe36-45agegroup,16%inthe46-55group, 28% in the 56-65 group and another 8% oftherespondentswereover65.Again,inCyprusthereis a prevalence of females overmales butwith lessdifferences between the two genders than in Italy,respectively 14 and 11. The handcraftersinterviewed inCyprusweremostly skilled inpotteryand jewellerymaking,but thereareavariety of other crafts practiced among them such as metallurgist, silversmiths, clothesdesigners,woodenandironmakers(structuresandfurniture),weaversandmosaicartists.

InGreece the groupof interviewedwere all females except for oneman.Moreover,noneof them isunder36years, andonlyone is over65; the rest of the respondentsweredividedinthreemiddleagegroupswith24%inthe36-45agegroupand12%in56-65agegroup.Thebiggestnumberoftheintervieweeswasinthe46-55agegroup,representing60%of the total. The respondents are skilled in jewellery design, knittingwork, clothing designandfewerpeopleareleatherworkersorworkwithpottery.

InLithuania, aswellas in theothercountries, the intervieweesweremostly female,with a big difference between the two genders,namely 22 females against only 3 males. Most ofrespondentsareof an "economically activeage", ranging from26 to55years,with36%ofthoseinterviewedinthe26-35agegroup,20%inthe36-45and32%inthe46-55group.Thegroup of handcrafters aged under 25 and over 56 is quite small and non-representative,respectively8%and4%ofthetotal.Thegroupofrespondentsaremostlyskilledinknitting,potteryandsewing.

InUnitedKingdom15femaleand7malelocalhandcrafterswereinterviewed.Mostofthemwereover56 years and the restwere in the26 –55 age group,withnoneunder26years. The group of handcrafters is mostly skilled in woodworking, painting, papercrafts,potteryandphotography;othersindressmaking,glassblowingandjewellery.

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2.3 Needs analysis addressed to newly arrived migrants, refugees and asylum seekers

2.3.1 Integration obstacles

ITALY

When the interviewed in Italywere askedaboutwhat kindof obstacles theyhad tofaceupontheirarrival,mostofthemmentionedatleastoneobstacle.InItalyallthesectors(Employment, Accommodation, Education,Healthcare,Legal,Language)werementioned,except for welfare. For half of theinterviewees, the primary obstacles werelanguage and employment, which are alsointerconnected since for most of them theweakknowledgeoftheItalianlanguagemadeit more difficult to find a job. The surveyshowedthatsomeoftheintervieweesarestillstudyingso theyhavenot focussedon findinga job,othersdonotknowwhereandhowtoseekforajobandothersaidthatmanagersoftenimmediatelyexcludepeoplewithamigrantbackground.MorethanhalfoftheintervieweessaidthattheirweakknowledgeoftheItalianlanguagewasanobstacleatthebeginning.Theavailabilityoflanguagecoursesofappropriatelevel seems toalsoposechallenges,assometimes theycanbe tooadvanced forabeginner,andrequiresomebasicknowledgeofthelanguage.Otherintegrationobstaclesmentionedareaccommodation, healthcare and education and only one personmentioned legal obstacles.Whenaskediftheythinktheyshouldhavereceivedsupportsincethebeginning,allofthemsaidyes,withmostofthemmentioningemploymentassistanceandlanguagetraining,othersmentioningaccommodationandhealthcaresupport,andfewerpeoplementioningvocationaleducationandschool/universityeducationsupport.

The respondentswereasked if they received somesupport in finding a job and, iftheygaveapositiveanswer,iftheydeemsuchsupportasusefulinfindingajob.InItaly,halfoftheintervieweesstatedthattheydidnotreceiveanykindofemploymentsupport;amongtheotherhalfwhosaidtheyhadreceivedsomekindofemploymentsupport,only8providedfurtherdetailsabout theemploymentsupportor learningopportunities they found.Twoofthem mentioned Centro Astalli52, a local shelter centre, as one of the main providers ofemploymentandlearningsupport.Twootherpeoplestatedthattheyreceivedsupportfromtheirfriendsandfamilies.Anotherpersonsaidthatthelanguagecoursehe/shedidwasuseful

52CentroAstalliPalermoisavoluntaryassociationthatispartoftheterritorialnetworkofJesuitRefugeeServiceinItalyandthatoffersusersfirstandsecondreceptionservices;thespiritthatanimatesitisthatofdefendingtherights,integrationandinclusionofnon-EUimmigrants,refugeesandasylumseekers.

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for findinga job.Anotherrespondentsaid that learningandemploymentopportunitiesandsupportexist,butthattheyarenoteasilyaccessibleanditisnoteasyfortheItalianStatetoensuresuchsupporttoeverybody.

CYPRUS

InCyprus,mostoftheintervieweessaidthattheyhadintegrationobstaclesprimarilyin the employment field due to harassment in the workplace. Other few people namededucation and language as the mainobstacles they encountered at thebeginning; others mentioned they metobstacles in accommodation, healthcare,legal,welfare.Moreover,almostallofthemthink that the Cypriot State should haveofferedsupporttotheminallthesesectors;each respondent named more than onetype of support. More specifically, 14personsmentioned accommodation support, 17 personsmentioned healthcare support, 16mentioned employment assistance, 12 other mentioned language training, 9 personsmentioned legal support, 3 other persons mentioned vocational education support, and 3peoplementionedschool/universityeducationsupport.

ThemigrantsinterviewedinCyprushighlightedthat,especiallyforemployment,theyreceived support from local agencies, EU projects, friends, newspapers, online; moreover,theyfoundthesupporttheyreceivedusefulfindingemployment.

GREECE

Themigrant artisans interviewed inGreece reported facing several problemswhentheyarrived:11peoplesaidtheyhademploymentproblemsmostlybecausetheydidn’tknowthelocallanguageatthebeginning;5personsmentionedaccommodationproblemsasoneofthemostcommonproblemsamongforeignerswhoarriveinGreece;educationobstacleswerementionedby8people;obstacles inhealthcarereportedlyalsoaffectalmostallmigrants inGreece andwerementioned by 10 people,welfare obstacleswerementioned by 8 people;legalobstaclesby9people.Moreover,theintervieweesalsoreporteddifficultiesinprovidingthedocumentsneeded to enter the jobmarket and finally, 10personsmentioned languageobstacles. Theystressed that inGreece it isveryhard to findagood, inexpensive languageclasswithaflexibleschedule.

Almostallofthemthinkthattheyshouldhavebeenofferedfurthersupportwhentheyarrived in Greece: 8 referred to obstacles in the sector of accommodation, 6 mentionedhealthcare,8employmentassistance,10languagetraining,7vocationaleducationsupport,4

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school/universityeducationsupportand10morementionedlegalsupport.Onlyonepersonmentionedsupportthroughactivitiesaimedatfosteringinclusion.

In Greece, only 6 persons said they had had access to employment support orlearningopportunities,explainingthattheyhaveattendedculturalprojectswhichallowedthemtolearnnewthingsandteachothers,andfindnewfriends.Nineteenoftheintervieweesfeltnotsupportedinthisfield.

LITHUANIA

ThemigrantartisansinterviewedinLithuania mentioned several problemsand integration obstacles, among whichthe most cited ones are, as in the othercountries, employment and languageobstacles, cited respectively 15 and 16times. The two problems seem to beconnected since most of those whomentioned employment problems, saidthat these problems are mainly linked tothelackoflocallanguageknowledge.Otheremploymentobstaclesmentionedarethelackofskillsandqualifications,thefactthatmigrantsareofferedillegaljobsandthelegalregulationsto preserve the Lithuanianmarket from foreigners. Accommodation obstaclesmentionedweredifficulties in finding accommodationeasilyaccessiblebypeoplewithdisability,highprices, flatandroom-sharingwithotherpeople;ontheotherhand, therefugee interviewedstatedthattheyreceivedhelpandsupportfromNGOsinfindingaccommodation.Oneofthemain obstacles linked to education is the lack of language. Healthcare problems werementioned8times,andtheywererelatedtothehighcostsofhealthcare.Welfareobstacles,mentioned5times,aremainlylinkedtothefactthatifmigrantshaven'tworkedinLithuaniaforthelast6months,theycannotreceiveanystatesupportwhentheylosetheirjob;othersmentioned illegal work as the first problem. Other problems mentioned are the highlybureaucraticprocessofapplicationforresidencypermit,onlyavailableinafewcities,andthelongwaitingtime,asituationwhichhasanegativeimpactonthewaymigrantsareperceivedbypeopleinruralareas.

Almostalltheintervieweesthinkthattheyshouldhaveofferedsomekindofsupportwhen settled in the new country; specifically, 13 persons mentioned accommodationsupport,27personshealthcaresupport,15personsemploymentassistance,23respondentslanguage training,11personsmentionedvocational trainingand6personsciteduniversitysupport. Three people mentioned support and supervision in application for residencypermits and children care assistance.Twenty-twopersonshademployment and learningsupport;ingeneral,migrantswereabletoattendfreelanguagecoursesorganizedbytheRedCross or local volunteering initiatives of Lithuanians in cooperation with foreigners. They

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found the language support very useful for their employment and social links. Somerespondents received a governmental support for employment due to their refugee status,somefounditusefulandothersnot.

UNITEDKINGDOM

Themigrant artisans interviewed inUnited Kingdommentioned severalproblemsand integration obstacles they experienced when they first arrived in the host country;among them, 3 mentioned employment and 3 more healthcare, explaining that is hard tounderstand the system forboth sectors,2mentioned accommodation problems;education, legal, and welfare-relatedproblems were mentioned only by fewpeople,while8peoplementionedlanguageproblems. Three people stressed problemssuchasculturalshock,but5peopledidnotreport anykindof integrationobstacle.Allrespondentsbelievetheyshouldhavebeenprovided with such services. Namely, 7 people mentioned school/university support,stressing out that more information should be provided about possible further education;other types of service they believe they would have needed are accommodation services,healthcareservices,andabovealllanguageandemploymentsupport,respectivelymentionedby6respondents.Fourpeoplementioneddifferentservicesfromtheothers,suchashelpandsupportinopeningabankaccount,supportforsocialintegration,socialsupportandgeneralsupport to access existing services. Based on the interviews, however, 24 out of 26respondents think they have been provided with sufficient learning opportunities such aslanguagelessons,trainingandcoursestobecomeacareersadviserandcoursesinarttherapyandcounselling.

2.3.2 Language obstacles and opportunities

ITALY

In Italy, 9 out of 25 affirmed that they are still facing some problems in speakingItalian, but they have the basis to understand and to make themselves understood to theothers.MostoftheintervieweeslearntthelocallanguagebydoinglanguagecoursesinlocalassociationsorprivateschoolssuchasCentroAstalli,SantaChiara,Exodos,ITASTRA,CantieriCulturalidellaZisa.MostofthemaddedthattheylearntalsoatschoolorinthejobplaceorbytalkingtoItalianfriends.Onlyfewpeoplesaidtheylearntbywatchingtvorbytalkingwithpeopleinthestreet.ThemainmeanstheyusedtolearnthelanguagearetheItaliancoursesprovided by local associations that already work with migrants. This information was

28

confirmedwhentheywereaskediftheyhadenoughopportunitiesprovidedtolearnthelocallanguage;a fewpeopleaddedthat theyknewabout thecourses they took fromfriendsandfamilies, and one person from his/her teachers at school. A contrasting finding among therespondentswhoknewaboutthecoursesfromfriendsandfamiliesisthatsomeofthemfelttheyhadenoughopportunities,whileothersfeltnotsufficientlysupported.Amongthosewhodidnotfeelsupportedinlearningthelanguage,somefoundthecoursenotusefulorsaidthatmoreopportunitiescouldhavebeenprovided.

CYPRUS

InCyprus,48%ofrespondentsarestillfacingdifficultieswiththelocallanguage.Theycommonlystressedproblemsincommunicationandinunderstandingdifferentaccents.Theremaining52%donotfaceproblemswiththelocallanguage.MostofthosewhospeakGreek,statedthattheylearnt it fromlisteningtopeoplespeakingthelanguage,othersbyspeakingwithemployersorattendingseminarsandclasses.Sixtypercentoftherespondentsthinkthattheydidnothavesufficientaccess toopportunities to learn the local language,or that theyhadnotimetolearnbecauseofwork.

GREECE

AmongthemigrantartisansinterviewedinGreece,8personssaidtheynolongerhaveproblems inspeakingthe local language,while16peoplestillexperienceproblems.Mostofthem learnt the local language by attending local Greek language classes and by talking tofriends.Seventeenrespondentsfeeltheydidn’thaveenoughopportunitiestolearnthelocallanguage; among the remaining ones, only 6 respondents feel they had sufficientopportunities.

LITHUANIA

The interviewees in Lithuania learnt the local language in different ways: thoserespondentswhohavelivedinLithuaniaformorethan5years,havelearntthelanguagefromtheir environment, communicating with locals or their spouses. The majority respondents(about60%)claimedthattheyhaveattendeddifferent languageclubs,non-formal languagegroupsand free languagecourses(organizedbytheRedCross),university-basedorprivateLithuanian language courses. The refugee respondents learnt the Lithuanian language inRuklaRefugeeCentre,where theywere settled after getting a refugee status.Almosthalf ofthose interviewed still have problems with the local language and they stated thatLithuanianisverydifficulttolearn,especiallyifyouareanEnglish-speakingpersonordonotknowanySlaviclanguage.MostofthosewhodonothaveproblemswithLithuanianlanguageanymoresaidthatitisduetothefactthattheyhavebeeninLithuaniaformorethan5years.The majority of respondents feel that they were provided with a sufficient amount of

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opportunities to learn the language.Other respondents either have never searched for anyopportunitytolearnthelanguageorsaidtherearenoopportunitiesforlanguagelearninginruralareas.

UNITEDKINGDOM

The interviewees in theUnited Kingdom learnt the local language through classes,school, university, watching films, music, books. Some took Masters degrees in Englishliterature,othershadprivatetuitionandothersalreadyknewthelocallanguagebecausetheyattendedEnglishcourses in theircountriesoforigin.Unlikeothercountries, themajorityofrespondentsintheUK,correspondingto20ofthe25,nolongerhaveanyproblemwiththelocal language; others stressed problems such as colloquialisms and accents causingproblems.

2.3.3 Employment situation at local level

ITALY

In Italy only 40% of the interviewees are currentlyemployed.Amongthosewhoareemployed,morethanhalfhaveapart-timejobandonlyonehasapermanentcontract.Seventypercentofthemareemployedindifferentjobssuchas chef, restaurant waiter, tailor, or they work insupermarkets, in construction sites, inhotels.Mostof themhavemorethanonejob,andsomeofthemworkwhentheyarecalled.Theremaining30%areself-employed,someinthehandicraftsector,havingtheirownshop.

Among those who are not employed, only 20%are not looking for a job, becausesomeofthemareattendingatailoringandfashionschool.Theremaining80%areseekingforajob,butwhentheywereaskedwhattypeofjob,theygavedifferentanswers;mostofthemmentioned jobs linked to the handicraft sector, i.e. tailoring, jewellerymaking, fashion andcraftworks ingeneral.Other fieldsor jobsmentionedareHR,psychologist,nautical sector,hotelandcateringsectorandinterculturalmediator.Thesectorsorjobstheyarelookingforincludeinterculturalmediator,tailoring,craftworksingeneralandjobsinthecateringfield.

Even if some of those interviewed have a job, 68% of the totalmigrant group haveencounteredorareencounteringproblemsanddifficulties in findinga job.Noteveryonespecifiedwhatkindofproblems/difficulties,but theproblemsmentionedarerelated to thenon-recognitionofforeignacademicqualifications,jobswithoutcontract(whichisneededtohave and maintain the permit of stay), racism and language barriers. Other difficultiesmentionedbythe interviewees is thattherearetoomanypeoplewhoare lookingfora job,

30

but few jobs available. Themost frequently cited difficulties are the lack of available jobs,weak knowledge of Italian language and jobs without contracts. Additionally, theirknowledgeaboutlocaljobseekingchannelsislimited.Infact,asshownbytheinterviews,two types of channels aremostly used, namely in person and online; among the in personchannels, those interviewedmentioned distributing their CVs, word-of-mouth with friendsand personal contacts, and Centro Astalli (a SPRAR centre located in Palermo that offersseveralfreeservicesforrefugees,asylumseekersandmigrants).Amongtheonlinechannels,Internetwasmentionedinageneralwayandsomeoneaddedsomewebsites'namesuchassubito.it, impiego24.it, jobrapido.it andEuropass.Only twopeople said that theyknowanduselocal"agencies"asajob-searchingchannel.

Themigrants interviewedseem tobenot sowell informedabout theopportunitiesfor self-employment; indeed, only 20% (5 people) of them stated they were aware ofopportunities, but 4 out of 5 said they only know that they can be self-employed but theydon'tknowhowtostarttheirownbusiness.Althoughmostofrespondentsdeclaredthattheyarefamiliarwiththeregulationsforestablishingtheirownbusinessorbeingself-employed,manyofthemcouldonlyprovidesketchyinformation;2otherspointedoutrightproceduressuch as the need to contact a notary and the chamber of commerce, to ask for the VATnumber, then obtain the digital signature and finally going to the SUAP – an office forbusinesses.

Allintervieweesagreedthat,inordertoobtainajobinthehostcountry,theyshouldhave both soft andhard skills, such as previous experience, language skills, technical skillsrelated to the job, legal documents to stay and work in the host country, qualificationcertificates of the job, adaptability, school education (secondary school diploma), patience,effectiveness, commitment,willingness, smartness, cleverness, self-reliance, tobe respectfuland responsible, concentration, communication skills and punctuality, and once again theknowledgeoftheItalianlanguage.Someoftheintervieweesaddedtheknowledgeabouthowthe local systemworks, knowledge about the local territory, and the need to have a cleancriminalrecord.

CYPRUS

The labour situation in Cyprus is quitepositive,with96%oftherespondents,correspondingto24people, employed in thehost country.Theyallhaveafull-timejob,amongthem2peoplehavebothafull-time and a part-time job and only one has apermanentcontract.Theonlyintervieweewhoisnotemployed, is looking for a job in the cleaning sector.Most of the migrant group, except for the only onewho does not have a job, is employed, no one is self-employed. Many of them haveencountered difficulties in finding a job, mostly due to problems of time management;

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nevertheless, some of them declared that they received support from some agencies. Themost common channel for job-searching that they know are agencies such as privateemploymentservices,throughfriends,byusinginternettoolssuchasFacebook,andthroughnewspapers.

The question related to their knowledge of self-employment opportunities andregulations confused respondents.When askedwhat opportunities they know and how toaccess for them, theymentioned friends, referral agencies, and online search. Again, whenasked about regulations for establishing their own business, 7 people said they werefamiliar,butweren'tabletodescribethem.

Whenaskedabouttheskillsapersonneedstoworkandobtainasuccessfuljobinthenewcountry,therespondentsmentionedskillsasconnectionswithpeople,establishedworking relationships, knowledge of how to cook Greek food, knowledge of the Greeklanguage, connections with people (relationships) and money. None of them mentionedtechnicalskills.

GREECE

BasedonthesampleinterviewedinGreece,theemploymentsituationofmigrantsinthecountryisnotvery good; 18 out of 25 are not employed, theremaining 7 have a job (part-time job, temporary job,seasonaljob,andonly3respondentshaveapermanentjob).Among the18whoarenot employed, only12ofthemare looking for a job,most ofwhich are in theirprofessionalhandicraftsector,andtherestarelookingfor jobsalso inothersectors.Amongthosewhohavea job,2areemployeesand3areself-employed. When asked if they had/are having difficulty in finding a job, most of theinterviewedmentioned the languagedifficultiesasoneof themainobstacles.Theonly job-searchingchannelstheyknowareSocialNetworks,friends,andself-searchinginthecity.

Asfortheirknowledgeofopportunitiesforself-employmentandhowtoaccessandsearch for them, they answered that the legal process and the financial support makes itpossibletobecomeself-employed,butnoneofthemseemedtobeawareofhowtosearchfortheseopportunitiesnorhowtoaccessthem.Indeed,16outof25don’tknowtheregulationsapplyingtoestablishingtheirownbusinessorhowtobeself-employed;only9respondentsansweredthattheygotsomeinformationfromthemigrationsupportcentresandalsotheirfriends, but again here they did not specify what information they received. Finally, theknowledgeoflocallanguage,ofthecultureofthelocalpeople,ofthedemandsofthemarket,and of legal processes are mentioned as the skills they find useful in order to obtainsuccessfulemploymentinthehostcountry.

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LITHUANIA

Based on the results of the interviews inLithuania, the local employment situation formigrantartisansisgood;indeed,22respondentsareemployed in Lithuania: 18 of themhave a full-timejob(14ofthemtemporaryand8permanent);2morepeople have a seasonal job. They are all employedexcept for one person who is self-employed in thefield of handicraft (she has her small sewing store, where she is fixing clothes, sewingindividualclothesandsellingtextilesandsewingsupplies);theemployeesworkasbuilders,painters,welders,tilespecialists,roofbuilders,electricians;inthefoodindustryascooksandconfectioners;asnurses,chambermaids,hairdressers,lecturers,tailors,teachers.Amongthe8 who are not-employed, 3 of them are currently looking for a job in sectors such asengineering, career counselling, or academia. Among those who are not looking for a job,some are refugeewomenwho claimed that they are not searching for a job because theirhusbandsworkandtheyhavetotakecareoftheirchildren.

Whenasked if theyhador arehavingproblems in finding a job, respondents saidthey encountered difficulties related to residency permits in order to get employment,language-related issues, lack of qualification recognition forcing them to do low-qualifiedwork),competitionwithqualifiedLithuanianworkersinahighly-qualifiedjobmarket,lackofjobopportunitiesforEnglish-speakersandpeoplewhodon'tknowanylanguageexcepttheirnative one; others still live in a refugee camp, so haven't tried to search for a job yet. Thelargestnumberofrespondentsadmit(about80%)thatthemostpowerfulchannel for job-searchingwascontactwithpeopleandusefulsocial links.On topof this,different internetportals such asdarbas.lt, cvbankas.lt andLinkedInwerementioned.Anotheroption is helpfrom the university; universities offer different opportunities to participate in paidinternships or job-related volunteering.Other respondentsmentioned courses and trainingprovidedbytherefugeecampandtheNGOs’help.

In general, the respondentswerenot familiarwithself-employment opportunitiesand regulations. They were mostly focused on being hired, rather than becoming self-employed. Despite the fact that almost half the respondents perceived themselves aswell-informedaboutself-employmentopportunities,theiranswersdidnotcoveralltheaspectsofmodern policy and regulations, especially about accounting, paying taxes and businessfinancialissues.Whenaskediftheyarefamiliarwiththeregulationsforestablishingtheirown business, only 11persons gave some information about it, the other 19didn’t know,explainingthattheyarenotinterestedinbeingself-employedbutonlyinfindingajob.

As for the skills needed to obtain a job in the host country, the majority ofrespondents pointed out language and communication skills as the most significant forsuccessful employment; others skillsmentioned are the ability towork in teams and solveconflicts,negotiatewithlocalpeople,andlearntounderstandLithuanian.Somerespondentsmentionedentrepreneurship skillsneeded for self-employment.Othersmentioneddifferent

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hard skills related to specific fields, as well as knowledge of the profession, workingexperienceandexpertise.

UNITEDKINGDOM

Thelocallaboursituationformigrantartisansis good; indeed, 20 of them are currently employedand,amongthem,9haveafull-timejob,4haveapart-time job, 5 have a permanent contract, 1 has atemporary job and finally, one has a seasonal job.Among the 20 employed ones, 19 are employees andonly one is self-employed. The 6 who are notemployed are searching for a job in different sectorssuchasfinance,jobswithelderlypeopleandasphotographers.AmongthefewproblemsinfindingajobmentionedtherewasthepoorknowledgeofEnglish,butsomerespondentssaidthatnosignificantproblemsariseifyouarehardworkingandambitious.Theysearch for ajobthroughjobcentres,websites(LinkedInandinternetingeneral),andwordofmouth.

When asked if they know anything aboutopportunities for self-employment or ifthey are familiarwith regulations to become self-employed, themajority said that theydon’tthinkthisisrelevantforthem.

Abouttheskillstheyshouldhaveinordertoobtainasuccessfuljobinthehostcountrythe respondents mentioned skills such as language and training, how to write a CV,qualifications, IT skills, knowledge of the local system and perseverance; but knowledge ofwrittenandspokenlanguageistheonemostcommonlymentioned.

2.3.4 Local attitudes towards handicraft

ITALY

AsforthehandicraftsectorinItaly,mostofthemigrantintervieweesdeemhandicraftto be an interesting source of employment, with the exception of 4 people out of 25,whoconsiderhandicraftmoreasaleisureactivitywhichcanbecarriedoutathomeorwhobelievethere’s not much demand for handicraft products. When asked what field or sector theywould like towork in, these4 intervieweesnamedbarman,culturalmediator,working inarestaurantaspossibilities.

Among the interviewees considering handicraft as a relevant employment sector, 3peoplesaidthattheyarealreadyworkingastailorsandthat'swhytheythinkthiscouldbearelevantfieldforthem,othersjuststatedthattheylikehandicraftjobsorcreatingnewthings,othersbelieve thathandicraft is a jobwhich can change theworld andwith highdemand.Someanswersshowedthatthere’shighconcernaboutthelimitedsupportandinterestinthe

34

sectorinItaly.Formostoftherespondents,thebestwaytoimprovetheirhandicraftskillsis through formalclassesand learningbydoing, for instanceattendingpracticalworkshopsmentioned8timeseach);instructionalvideoswerealsomentionedasagoodwaytoenhancetheirskills(mentioned7times),whilejust3peoplementionedbooksasmeanstolearnandimprovetheirskills.Onlyonepersonchosebothlearningbydoingandbooksaddingthatthelearningshouldbebased80%onpracticeand20%ontheory.Someofthelocalhandicrafttypes theywould like to learn topracticearetailoring,woodwork,ceramicsandcooking;other mentioned sectors are carpentry, leatherwork, painting, mosaics, jewellery making,crochet,sculpture.Whenaskedwhatkindofskillstheythinktheyshouldpossesstoworkinhandicraft, the majority of respondents pointed out manual dexterity, love and passion,creativity,technicalskillsandpractice;otherskillsmentionedbyfewerpeoplearelinguisticskills,knowledgeofthematerials,humbleness,willingness,patience,accuracy,attention,timemanagementability,goodlearningskills,courage,commitment,concentrationandcuriosity.

CYPRUS

Eighty-eightpercentofthemigrantsinterviewedinCyprusthinkthathandicraftscanbearelevantemploymentfieldfortheminthehostcountry,butnoneofthe25interviewedelaboratedtheiranswers.Amongthosewhofindthissectorrelevantforemployment,manyrespondents pointed out more than one way of improving their skills; specifically, formalclasseswerementioned16times,books6times,instructionvideosandonlinelearningwerementioned14timeseach.

The group of respondents interested in learning about handicraft mentioned localcrafts such as wood making, baking, cake decoration, jewellery, design, stitching, sewing,knitting, shoemaking,basketweaving,withcakedecoration, jewellery (beads)andknittingbeing themost commonlymentioned.Theybelieve that, inorder towork in thehandicraftsectorinCyprus,theyshouldhavetechnicalskills,suchastechnicalknowledgeofhowtocutmetal/wood,knowingwhat tools theyneed touse, knowing the languageandwith specifictraining.

GREECE

InGreece,44%ofrespondents,inparticularrefugees,havenointerestinemploymentin the craft sector because they haven't found jobs in the sector (despite their handicraftskills),due to languagedifficultiesand inadequatemarketdemands.Respondentsaredoingdifferent jobs enabling them to respond to the needs of them and their families, but theywould like towork in fields closer to their interest.The remaining56% find thehandicraftsector interesting because they already work in the field or attend some handicraftworkshops.This last group,whoare interested in thehandicraft sector, think that thebestwaystoimprovetheirskillsinthefieldarethroughinstructionvideos,mentioned10times;

35

learningbydoingwasmentioned7times,onlinelearning5times,booksandformalclasses2timeseach.

Regarding local craft sectors, most of them have an interest in Greek traditionalclothes, bags and sculpture. Nine out of 25 are interested in learning the host country’shandicraftsandwhat isneededbythemarket inGreece.Theother16respondentswanttofocus on what they already know but they also want to improve their skills. Moreover,accordingtothem,technicalskillsneedtobeacquiredbysomeonewhowishestoworkintheGreekhandicraftsector;besides,forthemoneofthemostimportantrequirementstogetajobingeneral(aswellasinthisfield), istoimprovetheirlanguageskills. Theyalsoaddedthatbeing in a working environment could help them learn the language and also makeconnectionswithlocalpeople.

LITHUANIA

For seven Lithuanian respondents, handicraft is seen as a way to fulfil one’s owntalents and creative potential, whichmay not bring a high income, however, it does bringpersonalfulfilmentandpleasureandisthusseenasarelevantemploymentfieldforthem.Itisthereforeseenasapotentialfieldforself-employment,ratherthanemployment.Theother23 respondents do not consider the field of handicraft as a potential opportunity foremployment or self-employment. The reasons they gave are lack of skills, absence ofmotivation for executing the handicraft activities; other respondents do not considerhandicrafttobeasourceofsufficientincomebutratherasahobby.

For thesevenrespondentswhothinkhandicraftcouldbearelevantemployment forthem,thebestwayto improve theirhandicraftskillsisthroughinstructionvideos(6);inthesecondplacewerementionedformalclasses(5)andonlinevideos(5);finallyfewofthemmentionedlearningbydoing(4)andbooks(3).Therespondentswhodon’tfindthisfieldasrelevant for them, and are currently unemployed,mentioned that theywould like toworkmostly in the service sector such as waiters, cleaners, beauty services, food industry,engineering,educationandpublicadministration.

They were finally asked about what local handicrafts they are interested inlearning and practicing and they mentioned knitting, weaving straw gardens, sewing,felting,makingnatural cosmetics,making hand-madedecorations for celebrations, creatingdesigneraccessoriessuchasbags,clothesandjewellery;otherrespondentsmentionedtheywouldliketolearnhowtomakeLithuanianstrawgardens,othersmentionedtheywouldbeinterested inworkingwith clay tomakepottery, sewing andpainting.Regarding theskillsneeded towork in the handicraft, theymainlymentionedthoserelated to theprocessofselling the products such as marketing strategies, renting space and communication withcustomers.Therespondentswerequiteconfidentabouttheirabilitiestoproducehandicrafts,however,theylackedsupportandcooperationwithotherhandcraftersinordertopooltheirabilities.Otherrespondentsmentionedtheneedtomakeeverythingaccurately,tobeableto

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createaqualityproduct,bepatientanddedicatethetimerequired;finally,theyexpressedtheneedtobeabletoselltheirproductsviainternet.

UNITEDKINGDOM

Among the interviewees in United Kingdom, 16 people think that handicraft is arelevantemploymentfield;5ofthemalreadyhaveajobandoneteachesinthisfield,anotherthinks that craft is underestimated sector and onewants to be a fashion designer. The tenwhodon’tthinkitcouldberelevantforemploymentgavereasonssuchaslackofmoney,lackofmarketdemandandlackofcustomerswillingtopayforcraftproductsataratethatwouldmakethejobviable.Amongthosewhofindthissectorinteresting,themajorityofthemsaidthat the most importantway to improve handicraft skills is language and being open-mindedandpositive;moreover,2ofthemmentionedformalclassesasthemeanstoimprovetheirskillsinthesector,8moresaidlearningbydoing,5mentionedinstructionvideos,1saidthrough books and 1 through online learning. Moreover, they find local crafts interestingincluding sewing clothes, food preparation, knitting and sewing, flower arranging, musicproduction,artand fashion.Thosewhodon’t find it interestingsaid that theywould like tohave a job in finance, working with elderly people, in the third sector and as a fashiondesigner.Finally,whenaskedabouttheskillsrequiredforworkinginthecraftsector,theymentioned soft skills and technical skills, computer literacy, social media knowledge,understandingcolloquialisms,salesandmarketingcompetencies,professionalandvocationalskillsandcrafttechniques.

2.4 Skills’ mapping among migrants and local handcrafters

2.4.1 Skills’ mapping among migrant handcrafters - background

2.4.1.1 Educational and working background

ITALY

The migrants interviewed in Italy are atdifferenteducational levels, butmostly secondary,because in Italy their educational qualifications arenot recognised. The majority have attended uppersecondary school and some attended lowersecondary school. Migrants with higher educationwereonlyfouroutof25(withauniversitydegreeinfashion and design, mechanics and electronics,tourism,management anddevelopment of human resources).Most of themhaveprevious

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educationandworkexperienceintheircountryoforigin.Themajorityworkedastailorsintheir country of origin, othersworked in thewoodwork and carpentry sector or jewellery-making sector. Other interviewees worked as waiters, in hotels, HR, as a legal assistant,actressandsinger,andsalesman.Mostofthosewhoworkedinhandicraftsectorslearnthowtodothesejobsbecausetheyusedtohelptheirfamiliesintheirshops,andsomealsostudiedinthissector.Mostofthoseinterviewedwenttoschoolintheircountryoforigin,somewentto general high school, some went to university (fashion and design, psychology, publicrelations,constructionengineering).

About 88% of them haveworked in thehandicraft sector and 12% said that theywouldliketoworkinthissector.Twelveofthosewhoalreadyhaveexperienceinthesectorsaidthattheyhaveexperienceintailoring;amongtheseonehasatailoringshopinPalermoandanotheroneusedtohaveatailoringshopinhis/hercountryoforigin.Mostofthembegantodo textileworks in their country of origin and two said that they learnt how todo it asapprenticesintheirfriends’orfamilies’shops.Theothershaveexperienceaswoodworkers,jewellery,carpentryandhairmaking.Thosewhoarecontinuing,dohandicraftinItaly,oratleast specified that they are continuing in places such as Centro Astalli, Sartoria Sociale,Agriculturalcooperative,Imperial225(acraftshopinPalermo).

Their handicraft experience andqualifications are varied; 19.2% of theinterviewees have learnt handicraft throughvocational training; one of them has auniversity degree in fashion and design andalsomade an internship in tailoring, both inthecountryoforigin,andnowinItalyshe/heisworkinginacraftshopdoingtextileworks.Three people interviewed attended a tailoring training school in their country of origin;another19.2%attendedhandicraftcourses–twoofthemdidnotspecifyandtheotherthreeattendedhandicraftcourses,twoinCentroAstalli,oneontailoringandoneonceramics.Theperson involved in tailoring did not specify d where; another 19.2% undertookapprenticeships-onepersonisworkinginGiocherenda,arefugeeassociationwhichinventsandbuildsgamesforsharingexperiencesandstory-telling,andatthesametimehelikestodowood work at home. Other interviewees mentioned wood restoration internship andhandicraftworkshops inCentroAstalli,working ina tailoringshop in thecountryoforigin,and learning in the family's shop. Over fifteenper cent (15.4%)are self-taught and26.9%havenoprofessional qualification– three of them just observed and learnedbydoing, oneattendedaschoolcoursetolearnhowtodrawmythologicaltrees.Someoftheintervieweessaid that theydohandicraftasahobby,othersasamean toearnmoney,butmostof themmentionedbothreasonsfordoinghandicraft.

CYPRUS

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ThemigrantartisansinterviewedinCyprusareat different educational levels, 68% having a highereducation diploma; 8% are in secondary education,another 8% have a vocational education qualification.Fourpercenthadsecondaryeducationandanother4%have no education at all, and the last 8% couldn’tspecify. Some of the respondents have previousworking experience in theircountryoforigin,wherethey worked as secretary, dress-maker, seamstress, teacher, hotel staff, nurse, computertechnician, household worker, in a supermarket, accounting, commerce, a car company,Othersstudiedintheircountryoforigininfieldssuchascriminology,accountingandfinance,marketing and nursing. In particular, 21 out of 25 have working experience in farming,factories (as seamstresses), knitting, pharmacy,nurse, electronic company and quality control.Moreover, 32% of the respondents have previousworking experience in the handicraft sector inthreemainfields,namelyknitting,reusingrecyclablematerials for decoration and baking; they acquiredtheir skills mostly through vocational training, andonlytwopeoplethroughhandicraftcoursesorapprenticeships. Theeightparticipantswhohadprofessionalqualificationsinthefieldwereunabletodescribetheirexperience.Theother68%havenopreviousexperienceincraftsectors,butmostofthemsaidthattheywouldliketolearnandacquireskillsinthissector.

GREECE

Among the migrant artisans interviewed in Greece, eight of them have primaryeducation, ten have secondary education and the remaining seven respondents achievedhighereducation.Morethanhalfof thegroupofrespondents,correspondingto14persons,have been employed in their country of origin, in fields such as accounting, engineering,marketingand some inhandicrafts.Theother11 respondents left their countrywhen theywereveryyoung so theydidnotwork. Fourteen respondents claimed that theyhave someexperience in the fieldofhandicraft;theyworkedwhileinGreeceandsomealsointheircountryoforigin.Anotherninepeople interviewedhavenopreviousexperience inthefieldbut claimed that theywould like to learndifferenthandicrafts.Moreover,nine respondentshave attended some short vocational training in Greece and ten others have attendedhandicraft courses provided by NGOs in the camp or in Athens. Very few of them havequalificationsinhandicrafts,eventheoneswhohaveworkedinthefield intheircountryoforigin do not have qualifications as they were mostly trained at home. All of them dohandicraftbothasahobbyandasameanstoearnliving.

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LITHUANIA

Mostofthemigrantartisans(14)interviewedin Lithuania have attended vocational education;tenintervieweeshavehadhighereducation,andoftheremainder,afewhavesecondaryeducation(5)andprimaryeducation (1).Theystudied in fieldssuch as law and politics, engineering, informationtechnology, tailoring, hairdressing, music and thearts, economics and management, publicadministration,sanitaryengineering,foodindustry,nursing, agriculture, ecology, anthropology and social work. Those who worked in theircountry of origin mentioned jobs such as building and renovations, selling, cleaning,education, beauty industry, administration, farming and agriculture, journalism, economy,musicandarts,law,publicrelations,householdrepairsandthefoodindustry.

Onlyfourpeopleoutofthemigrantsampleinterviewshavepreviousexperienceofworking in the handicraft sector; one used to work as a tailor (her own business sheestablished together with her husband),another respondent used to knit clothes; thethird respondent worked as a leather maker,helping his family business and the last oneused to work as a confectioner decoratingdifferent cakes and sweets. The majority ofparticipants have never been employed inhandicrafts.Somerespondentsmentioneditasa hobby (sewing, knitting, wood carving andfurnituremaking,etc.),howevertheyneverworkedinthosefieldsofficially,norevergainedanysortof incomefromthem. Therespondentsmentionedseveralsources of their skillsand knowledge in handicrafts sector; it is more informal with knowledge gained fromfamilymembers,parents,studyingindependently,andusingtheinternet.Interestingly,onlinecraft communities andblogswerementionedby all respondents as an additional sourceoftheirknowledgeandskills.Theonlyrespondentswhohaveprofessionalqualificationinthesectormentionedvocational training (twice),handicraft courses (once)andapprenticeship(once).

When asked if they have some experience in handicrafts in their new country,fifteenpeoplestatedthattheydocraftsasahobby(knitting,embroidery,carving,accessory-making, sewing,painting,decoratingcakes,makingdifferentcraftswithchildren)withonlyonepersondoinghandicraft(sewing)tomakealiving.

UNITEDKINGDOM

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Amongthemigrantartisansinterviewedin the United Kingdom, four have a highereducational level, three people have noeducation at all and the others are equallydistributedamongtheotherlevelsofeducation(onepersonperlevel).Thosewhohavestudiedin their countryoforiginhaveaneducation indifferentsectorssuchaspublicadministration,architecture, English literature, geography andnutrition and dietetics. Ten people stated that they were employed in their country oforigin,injobssuchascollegelecturer,projectmanager,crafttutor,cafe/restaurantemployer,businessadministratorandinternationalbusiness.Halfofthegroup(13)saidthattheyhaveprevious working experience in the handicraft sector in fields such as art therapy,furniture,photographyandartfashion.Theygained their skillsthroughvocationaltraining(6people),handicraftscourses(1),apprenticeship(3)anddirectlybydoingarttherapy(3).Only a few interviewees have experience in handicrafts in their new country; theymentioned interior decoration, jewellery, knitting, embroidery and macramé. Lastly, 13 ofthemusedtodocraftsasahobbyandsixothersasameanstoearnmoney.

2.4.1.2 Migrant handcrafters’ skills

ITALY

The interviewees in Italyhavedifferentwork experiences in the handicraft sector.Eightpercenthavebeenpracticinghandicraftsfor less than one year; 20% have beenpracticing it for 1 to 5 years; 24% for 5 to 10years;28%for10to15years;8%for15to20years,and theremaining8%formore than20years. Themain sectors in which they workaretailoringandwoodwork;othersectorsmentionedareceramics,ironwork,jewellerywork,crochet and carpentry.Themain products are clothes andhomeobjects such as furnitureandvariousdecorativeobjectsaswell asbagsandbackpacks, accessories, jewellery,doors,whilematerialsmentioned include fabrics (especiallyAfrican fabrics)& textiles, incl. cottonandwool,wood,iron,stones,cord,metals,gold,plastic,gems,glue,aluminium,soilandgrass,stringandrecycledmaterials.Theywereunsureabout the techniques:mostof themstatedthattheyuseasewingmachineandotherssaidthattheyonlyusetheirhandstowork.Whenaskedifandhowtheypromotetheirworkandproducts,someofthemstatedthatthemeanstheyusetopromotetheirworksinItalyaremainlysocialmedia,FacebookandInstagram,websitesandbyshowingphotostofriends;while,intheircountryoforigin,theyusedtoshowtheirworksinparents'shops,inlocalmarketsandbywearingtheirproducts.

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When asked about the handicraft traditions of their country of origin, theymentioned tailoring, jewellery-making, carving, leatherwork, woodwork, iron/aluminiumworks, furniture making, ceramics, decorative objects for home, making of musicalinstruments, pottery, hairdressing, cake decoration. Traditional products made includeMapuche jewels, Andeanwool, Tunisian Futa (a piece of thin striped cotton or linen fabricused inmanyMediterraneancountriesandYemen,originallyTunisian)andCoffa (a typicalSicilian straw woven bag), shoes, clothes, pearls and carpets. Moreover, most of themmentionedtraditional fabricsandtextilesandtraditionalclothesastheiroriginalhandicrafttraditionstheywouldliketoexpressanddisplaythroughtheirhandicraftworkinItaly.

CYPRUS

In Cyprus eight respondents have aexperience ofworking in the craft sector inthehostcountry;amongthemonlytwousedtowork in the sector to earn money, the othersusedtoworkaswoodworkersandknittersasahobby.Amongthemthreepeoplehavelessthanone year of experience as handcrafters, twohave between 1 and 5 years’ experience. Onlyonehasbeenworking in thesector for5 to10years,andtheresthavebetween15and20years of experience. They are skilled in wood making (furniture and decoration), dressmaking,weaving,jewellery-making,stitching.Manyofthemcouldn’tidentifywhatmaterialsand techniques they use, but those who could, mentioned wood, thread, needles, sewingmachine, bamboo, bamboo seeds.Moreover, both in their country of origin and in Cyprus,they usually promote and display their work and final products through stores, socialmediaandfriends.

The 25 interviewed were also asked about the handicraft traditions from theircountryoforigintheywouldliketoexpressthroughtheirworkinthehostcountry,andthey mostly mentioned shoe making, pottery, mosaics, knitting, sewing, stitching, basketweaving and coconut products, traditional clothes, woodcrafts, weaving, mosaics, woodmaking,stitching,knitting,design,andpaintings.

GREECE

Amongtheintervieweeswhohavesomeexperienceinthehandicraftfield,eighthavebeen practicing handicraft for less than one year, mostly because they arrived in Greecerecently and are attending craft courses provided by NGOs; ten respondents have beenpracticing handicraft for 1 to 5 years and seven more have more experience (5-10 years,duringwhichsomerespondentshavealsoestablishedsmallbusinesses).

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Mostofthoseinterviewedareskilled injewellery,inknittingdifferentproductssuchasbags,scarves,shoes,clothes,andincreating leatherproductsandclothes.Thematerialstheyusearemostlyrecycledmaterialssuchasplasticbags,woodandcheapmaterials.Theypromote anddisplay theirworks in fairsatdifferent timesof theyear,atpop-upevents,through Facebook. Some have relationships with companies that promote handicrafts andbuyanddisplay theirproductswhilemanyNGOsalsopromoteproductsmadebyrefugees.Mostof themwould like toexpress their countries’ traditions through theirhandicrafts:peoplefromAfricaareveryinterestedtoshowtheirtraditionalwaysofmakingclothes,thedyeingprocessandtheuseofnaturalingredientstomakecolours.Inaddition,thereisarichtraditionofmakingweddingdressesinIraq,andIraqiintervieweesexpressedtheirinterestinshowcasingthiscrafttradition.

LITHUANIA

Among those who have some kind ofexperience in the handicraft sector, elevenpeople have 10-15 years of experience, and threehave 1 to 10 years of experience. The types ofhandicrafts they are skilled in include sewing,knitting, embroidery, wood carving, furnituremaking and confectionery decoration. Theproducts theymake or used tomake are clothes(forwomenandchildren),accessoriesandbags,hometextiles,decoratingpictures,outdoorsculptures,furnituresuchaschairs,tablesandshelves.Intermsofmaterials,theymentionedcanvas,threads(cotton,wool,artificialones),sweaters,scarves,mittens,slippers,winterhats,socksandhomedecorations;haberdasheryequipment(needles,zips,buttons,etc.)andwood.Theymentionedsewing,knitting,embroideryandcarvingastechniques.Thechannels theyusetopromoteanddisplaytheirworkarepeople-to-people(clientssharetheinformationwithotherpotentialclients),websitesandsocialnetworks(Facebook,Instagram,Telegram),outdooradvertising.

Themostcommonhandicraft traditions from their country of origin aresewing,knitting, embroidery, pottery, pottery decoration, wood carving, blacksmithing, weaving,furniture-making,baskets,weavingcarpets,leatherproduction(bags,shoes,clothes),makingdecorationsusingbeads, glassdesign anddecoration,Easter eggs&Christmasdecorations.Noteveryonewanttoexpresstheirtraditionsthroughtheirwork,butthosewhowanttodo this mentioned traditions such as Ukrainian Petrykivka patterns and other regionalnationalpatterns,Moroccanpottery(todisplaythetraditionsofMoroccannationalsymbols,legendsandwaysofcooking),Moroccanleatherclothesandaccessories;knittingBelarussianfolk clothes and accessories; Syrian national patterns and colours. Respondents showed a

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general trend to display the symbols of their countries, using their national colour palette,patternsandmaterials.

UNITEDKINGDOM

Among the migrant artisans interviewedin the United Kingdom, thirteen haveexperienceinthecraftsector;twoofthemhavebeen practicing it for less than 1 year, six for 1and5 years, threepeople for 5 to15 years, andtwopeople formore than15 years. Thosewhohavesomeexperienceinthesector,areskilledinclothesmaking, painting and photography. Theymentionedmaterialssuchasamber,naturalmaterialsandcolours,andtechniquessuchassewingandknitting.Noneofthemexhibittheirwork,exceptforonepersonwhosometimesusesalocalcafétodisplayandpromotehis/herworks.

The handicraft traditions from their country of origin mentioned are samosamaking, patterns and theuseof traditionalmotifs and colours,while traditions theywouldliketoexpressthroughtheircraftwork includeweaving,paintingstones,amberdesignandCelticdesign.

2.4.1.3 Collaboration and integration of skills among migrant and local handcrafters – Migrants’ point of view

ITALY

Almostall the intervieweesinItaly thinkthattheirhandicraft skills andproductscan be interesting and that there is high demand in the Italian market, as it would offersomethingdifferent,andItaliansappreciateforeignproductsandareinterestedinhandicraft(e.g. crochet).Somerespondentsstated that theyarealreadyselling theirproducts, so theyknow that the sectorworks. A few respondents stated that in their opinion people prefermodern things and are not interested in hand-made products, or that traditional AfricanfabricsaremuchheavierthanItalianones,soItaliansdonotappreciatethem.

When comparing Italian handicraft and theirtraditional handicraft in terms of similarities oftechniquesandmaterialsused,noteveryonewasableto answer this question. Some respondents said theynever worked in the handicraft field in Italy, but theyassume there are both differences and similarities,others said that techniques are similar but the final

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productisdifferent,andthattherearebothdifferencesandsimilarities.Themostcommonlyrecognised similarities named by more than one person are sewing techniques, using asewingmachine,fabricsandmaterials.MorespecificsimilaritiesmentionedarethemakingoftheCoffathatissimilarinTunisiaandinPalermo,themanualworkandtraditionalmeansofproduction in thewoodworksector thataresimilar inSicilyand inEgypt, some typesofclothesproduced inGambiaand in the cityofPalermo, in Italy.Except foronepersonwhodisagrees, all the other interviewees said that for them it would be possible to combinetechniquesandmaterialsandfewofthemaddedthatcombiningdifferentstylescouldleadto innovative results. Somementioned that they are already doing this, because Europeantextiles and fabrics are also used in Africa and different styles can be adapted. All thoseinterviewedsaidthatahypotheticalcollaborationbetween themand localhandcrafterswouldbeusefultoimprovetheiremploymentskills.Noteverybodyaddedtheirmotivations,but those who did it said that it would provide an opportunity to create a network ofcollaborators,toshareandpooltalent,toboostcrafts,topromoteexchangebetweencultures,tolearnmorefromandaboutothercountries,toincreaseskills,tofostergrowth.Accordingtorespondents, mixing styles and techniques improves quality, and more skills brings moreculture.

Finally,96%oftherespondentswouldliketoteachtheirskillstolocalhandcrafters,specificallyhowtoworkwithasewingmachine,Africantechniquestoworkthetextilesandfabrics, how to decorate the bodywith henna, and how to create jewels, wedding clothes,women’sclothes,howtomakepotsandglassware,gardeningandAfricantailoring.Themainreasonsmentionedareenrichment,interestintransferringtheirskillsandteaching.Theonlyonewhowouldnotbehappytoteachsaidthisisduetothefactthathe/shedidn’tfeeltohavesufficientskillstoteach.

Whenaskediftheywouldliketolearn from localhandcrafters,100%ofthemsaidyes,mainlymentioningfieldssuchastailoringandwoodwork.Particularly,theysaidthattheyare interested in learning the Italianstyleof tailoring, tailoring ingeneralandhairdressing,mosaics and ceramics, jewellery-making with different material and woodwork (incl.furniture).Theyalsowould like to learnhowtoworkwitha lasercutter forwood, to learnmoreaboutwood-painting,andhaute-couture.

CYPRUS

Mostmigrant artisans think that inCyprus thereis a demand for their products (especially amongFilipinos); only five out of 25 think that there is nodemand for their products because they use differentmaterials and equipment. Many respondents were notable to say if there are some similarities among theirtraditional handicrafts and local ones. Those whowereabletoanswerthisquestion(15)saidthatthereare

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similarities, arguing that similar machines are used for the production of some products,similar jewelleries (beads), the same painting, weaving methods (bags), colours andmaterials,andthesameclay(forpottery).Aboutthepossiblecombinationofmaterialsandtechniquesbetweenthetwohandicrafttraditions,mostpeopleansweredthattheydidn'tknow,andafewmentionedthepossibilityofcombiningrecycledmaterials.Nevertheless,17outof25thinkthatcollaborationwithlocalartisanswouldbeuseful forthemtoshareexperiences.Fiveotherpeoplesaidthattheydidn’tknowwhattoanswerandtheremainingthreepeoplesaidtheydon’tthinkitcouldbeusefulforthemandtheirskills.

Even though the migrants interviewed in Cyprus were not sure about possiblecombinations and collaborationswith local handcrafters, 40%of themwould like to teachtheirskillstolocals,especiallyinthefieldsofbead-making,jewelleryandbamboobicycles.The percentage became higher when they were asked if they would like to learn andimprove their skills from local handcrafters; in fact, the percentage of thosewhowerepositivewas68%.Theymentionedsectorsandtechniquessuchasweaving,knitting,pottery,painting,butmostofthemwouldliketolearnanything.

GREECE

InGreecefifteenpeoplethinkthattheirhandicraftskillsandproductscanberelevantinthemarketofthehostcountry;thethingsmadebymostofthemareusableandneededbymany people. Do you think that some of the local handicrafts are similar (in terms oftechniquesandmaterials)totheonesinyourcountryoforigin?For20outof25,itwouldbepossibletocombinematerialsandtechniquesfromtheircountryoforiginwiththosefromthehostcountrybecause therearesimilaritiesorbycombiningtraditionalhandicraftswithmodernones.All25respondentsthinkthatacollaborationwithlocalhandcrafterswouldbeusefulforbothgroups,intermsoflearningmoremoderntechniques,usingpropermaterials,learning how to take care of their health and the environment, obtaining skills inmodernmarketing methods, cooperation and most importantly, learning how to modernize theirproductsfortheinternationalmarket.

Finally, tenoutof25would like toteach their skills to local handcraftersas theythink they have enough experience and could teach their skills in knitting, the making ofwedding clothes, woodcarving, jewellery-making, and natural dyeing. All 25 respondentswouldliketo learn from localhandcraftersanykindofcraft,modernpatterns,theuseofeco products, marketing skills, business planning, how to make knitted toys, modernjewellery,sewing,networkingandaccountingskills.

LITHUANIA

InLithuaniaonlyfivepeoplethinkthattheirskillsandproductscanberelevanttothelocal handicraft market; they specified that this is because people value and like to buyhandmadeproducts,withfolk-stylepatternsandclothescurrentlypopular.Productsmadeby

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foreigners are valued in Lithuania. When talking about similarities between theirhandicrafttraditionsandthelocalhandicrafts(intermsoftechniquesandmaterials),14respondentsthinktherearesimilaritiesintermsofmaterials,knittingandsewingtechniquesanddesignofclothes.Thirteenpeoplesaidthattheydon’tknowbecausetheyarenotfamiliarenoughwithLithuaniancustomsandculture.Forthesamereason,mostoftherespondentswere not sure aboutpossible combinations between the two traditional handicrafts interms of materials and techniques. The respondents saidthat a collaboration would be useful for both migrantand local handcrafters, mostly providing social reasons:they admitted that they could gain some useful knowledgeandskills,aswellascreatesomesocialnetworksandmakefriends. Moreover, the participants agreed that suchexchange could be useful in terms of employmentpossibilities,reachingouttonewclientsandcooperatingtobringmutualbenefit.

Whenaskediftheywouldliketoteach their skills to localhandcrafters,onlyfourrespondentswerewilling to do so in the fields of knitting, embroidery, carving, accessory-makingandsewing,sayingthattheywouldbegladtosharetheirexperience,tosocialize,andfeelasenseofbelongingtoagroupoflike-mindedpeople.Otherrespondentsmentionedtheywouldbewillingtoassistratherthantakingaleadposition.Theyexplainedthatthiswasdueto their lackof confidence in languageusageand lackofexperience incommunicatingwithlocal people. Themost frequent reason among thosewho do not want to teach, was theirworkload,thedifferentlanguagesandthelackofmotivation.

When asked if they would like to learn from local handcrafters, 16 respondentsanswered positively.Many respondents expressed their interest in learning new skills andgainingnewknowledge.Their strongestmotivationwas tohave some interesting activitieswhereyoucancommunicateandfeelrelaxed,tocommunicatewithlocalpeopleandmigrants,to obtain more social links, to gain more confidence in communicating, to improve theirspeaking skills, to spend their time fruitfully, and to gain craft skills. The need ofcommunication and socialization was the strongest motivation for potential participants,whiletechnicalskillswerementionedasbeinglessimportant.ThosewhoarenotinterestedinlearningfromlocalpeoplesaidthatthisisduetotheirneedtodedicatemoretimetotheirfamiliesorworriesrelatedtocommunicatinginLithuanian.

UNITEDKINGDOM

Among the migrant artisans who have experience orinterest inthecraftsector,nineof themthinkthattheirskillsandproductcanberelevanttothemarketofthehostcountry;fourothersdon’tthinksoduetoalackoftimeandmoney,andthe level of skills required. Thirteen people think that therearesomesimilaritiesbetweenthecountryoforiginandthe

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host country’s craft traditions, intermsofthesamematerials,whilethirteenothersthinkthattherearenosuchsimilarities.Moreover, thegeneralthought is thatcombiningthetwocrafttraditionsisnotpossible,butthatacollaborationbetweenlocalsandmigrantswouldbeusefulforbothgroups.

Whenaskediftheywouldliketo teach localhandcrafters,sixteenrespondentssaidyes: one specified that he/she is already a teacher in this field and another one said thathe/she would like to teach how to integrate amber into interior design decoration andclothes.Thetenwhosaidtheywouldnotliketoteachprovidedreasonssuchaslackoftime,qualifications,equipmentandresources.Whenaskediftheywouldliketolearnfromlocalhandcrafters,13saidthattheywouldbehappytoexpandtheirskillsespeciallyinthefieldsof cooking, flower arranging, knitting and sewing. Seven respondents said no because oftheirlackoftimeandsixotherswerenotsure.

2.4.2 Skills’ mapping among local handcrafters - background

2.4.2.1 Educational and working background

ITALY

ThemajorityofhandcraftersinterviewedinItaly(64%)havehadhighereducation,outofwhich 12 are in sectors such as restoration,fashion and tailoring, stage props andscenography,painting,graphicdesign, jewellerydesign, and attending a school of fine arts.Another 32%had secondary education and theremaining 4% (one person) have attendedvocational courses. None of them has less thanoneyearofexperienceinhandicraft;36%havebeenworkinginthesectorfor1to5years,32%for5to10years,12%for10to15years,8%for15to20years,andtheremaining12%formorethan 20 years. Some respondents have morethan one qualification in the handicraftsector,havingattendedcraftcourses,vocationaltraining, or having done apprenticeships. Asmany as 32% of them are self-taught, and onepersonlearnedbydoing.Forfourteenoftheintervieweesthesequalificationsareadditionalto their education; for sevenof them thehandicraft qualification is part of their education.Among these interviewees (21 people - 14+7) there are two people who took handicraft

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coursesinadditiontotheirhighereducationqualificationinrelevantsectors,aswellasself-taughtpeoplewhodonothaveanykindofprofessionalqualificationinthehandicraftsector.

CYPRUS

In Cyprus, the handcrafters interviewedachieved the level of higher education (12). Threereported a primary education level, nine othersachieved levels of secondary education, fourvocational, and only one respondent has noeducation at all. Some people have both vocationaland higher or secondary education. None of themhas been working in the craft sector for less thanone year; nearly half of those interviewed (48%)have been working in the sector for more than 20years. Another 20% have been working in thehandicraftfor1to5years,8%for5to10years,12%for 10 to 15, and 12% for 15 to 20 years. Theirprofessional qualifications in the craft sector aredifferent and most of them have more than onequalification; the two main qualifications arehandicraftcoursesandapprenticeships,followedbyvocationaltrainingandonlyonepersonhasauniversitydegreeinthissector.TheinterviewsinCyprusshowedthatyoungerpeoplehavemanydifferenttypesoftraining,whileolderpeoplehavelessorsometimesnotrainingat all. For more than half of the respondents (72%), their professional qualifications areadditionaltotheireducation,whilefortheremaining28%thesequalificationsarepartofit.

GREECE

InGreece,4%oftheinterviewedhandcraftershavealevelofonlyprimaryeducation,32%ofthemsecondary,40%auniversitydegree,and24%undertookvocationaleducation,butwhatmostofthemstressedisthattheystartedhandicraftasahobbyandthenitturnedintoemployment.InGreecenoneoftheintervieweeshasbeenworkinginthecraftsectorforlessthan5yearsnorformorethan20years:32%oftherespondentshavebeeninthesectorfor5to10years,40%for10to15years,andtheremaining28%for15to20years.Apartfrom their degrees, 60% of them attended some kind of vocational training, 32% tookhandicraft courses, and only 8% did an apprenticeship. Most of those interviewed haveadditionalprofessionalqualificationsapartfromtheireducation.

LITHUANIA

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In Lithuania, the handcrafters interviewedhavedifferentlevelsofeducation;52%ofthemhavevocationaleducation,40%ofthemhighereducationand8%secondaryeducationordidnotspecify.Themajority of respondents have between five andfifteenyearsofexperience.Goingintogreaterdetail,noneof themhasbeenworking in the field for lessthanoneyear,24%for1to5years,48%for5to10years,28%for10to15yearsandnoneformorethan15years.Someparticipantssaidtheyhad attended both formal and informal training. Vocational training was mentionedthirteen times, apprenticeship nineteen times and handicraft courses five times. The fourpeoplewho have no professional qualification in the sector mentioned the Internet as thesource of their skills and knowledge: they learnt directly from observing ofmasters’workfromovertheworld(theseanswersweregivenbyyoungerhandcrafters,agedabout25-35years). The majority of participants gained their knowledge and skills through formaleducation.However,ahands-onapproachwasalsovaluableandhelpful,asitallowedthemtopracticedifferentkindsofcrafts.Asignificantnumberofrespondentsgainedtheirknowledgein other ways, such as from other family members, mainly parents or grandparents,continuing their family traditions or business. Furthermore, for most of the respondents(64%)theirqualificationswereadditionaltotheirchoseneducationalpath.

UNITEDKINGDOM

ThemajorityofhandcraftersinterviewedinUnitedKingdom achievedhighereducation(12),fivewereeducatedtosecondarylevel,andfourothershadavocationaleducation.Halftherespondents, -50% -havemore than20yearsof experience in handicrafts; only one personhaslessthan1yearofexperienceinthesector,two people have between 1 and 5 years of

experience, threebetween5and10years, twobetween 10 and 15 years, and three havebetween 15 and 20 years experience. Most ofthe respondents (18) have no qualifications inthe sector; only one took a handicraft course,and another did an internship, both obtainingqualifications which were additional to theireducation.

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2.4.2.2 Handicraft situation across partner countries

ITALY

The most typical handicraft types mentioned by the respondents in Italy andSicily, entail a variety of sectors, materials, techniques and final products. Most of theinterviewees said that ceramics is the main handicraft sector in Palermo (20 out of 25respondents). The other handicraft sectors, mentioned by four or more interviewees, aretextiles, leather works and costume jewellery. Those named by at least three people aretailoring,mosaics andwoodworking,while locksmith and glassworkswerementioned justonceortwice.Fewofthemmentionedspecifictechniques,materialsorproducts,howeverthemain techniquesmentioned is "interweaving" in the textile sectorand themainmaterialsused are recycled. Themain products made are: handmade bags, in particular the typicalSicilian bag called "Coffa", decorative objects for the house and furniture in general; the"pupi",typicalSicilianmarionettesandthe"maioliche"atypeofceramicswithamattmetalliccoating(stanniferousenamel).Theyareusuallywhite,sometimesvariouslycoloured,whicharethebasisforpaintedornamentssuchasfood, inparticular"fruttadimartorana",typicalSiciliansweetsmadewithalmondflourandaperfectimitationoffruitandvegetables..Somerespondentsaddedthat thehandicraftsector inPalermoisnowconsideredas"innovative",becausematerialsandtechniquesaremixedand,therefore,individualcraftsectorsoverlap.

The most common problem of the handicraft sector that emerged from theinterviewsispoorly-regulatedbureaucracysothereislimitedclarityaboutthestepsneededto become self-employed in the sector. Respondents also said that the bureaucracy aroundopeningalaboratoryorbeingself-employedistooexpensiveduetohightaxesandVAT.Thesecondbigproblemmentionedbytheintervieweesisthelackofmaturity,culture,knowledgeandeducationamongthepopulation,whichresultsinalowinterestinartisanproducts,andapreferenceforcheapandlow-qualityproductsratherthanforexpensivebuthandmadehigh-qualityproducts.Anotherobstaclementionedbyhandcraftersisthelowmarketdemand, inparticularamonglocalpeople:foreignersseemtoappreciatehandicraftproductsmorethanlocals, and this is whymost of the artisanworkshops are located in the historic centre ofPalermo, as the demand is based on tourism. Another common problem highlighted byrespondents is that there isa lackof investment in thehandicraftsector. Tworespondentssaid that the only problem is that some people become handcrafters without having anyprofessional skills, and two others underlined that cheap goods coming from China haveswampedthe localmarket.Fora fewrespondents, theproblemis thatold traditionalcraftsareincrisisduetoglobalizationandthelackoflocalsuppliersofrawmaterials.

Asfortheskills thatapersonshouldpossess inorder tobeable towork in thehandicraftsector,inSicilyrespondentswhomentionedtheneedfortechnicalskillsdidnotmentionotherskills,except fora fewwhomentionedknowledgeofmaterials.Respondentswho said that there is no need for particular technical skills in most of the craft sectors,mentionedmanual dexterity, passion, creativity, patience and the right attitude towork asfundamental skills in thehandicraft sector.Theothersoft skillsmentionedare innovation,

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determination,perseverance,precision,problemsolving,concentration,continuousresearch,initiativeandbrilliance,eachonenamedbyonlyoneperson.Thetechnicalskillsmentionedby respondents include technical skills in terms of the production process (mentioned tentimes),knowledgeofmaterialsandtheirquality(sixtimes),manualdexterity(fivetimes)andexperience intermsofeducationalbackground, internshipsandapprenticeship(fivetimes).Thesoft skillsmentionedbymorethanonepersonare:creativity(fivetimes),passionandlove(sixtimes),patience(sixtimes),predispositionandwillingnesstoworkwithhands(fivetimes)andcuriosity(twice).Oneoftherespondentssaidthat,inadditiontotechnicalskills,acraftershouldalsohavemarketingskills.Basedonthefindingsfromtheinterviews, inItalyno professional certificate is required to work in the handicraft sector, even if not allrespondentswerecertain:someofthemsaidthatitdependsonthecraftsectorandtypeofproducts;onlytwopeoplesaidthatacertificateisneededfortherestorationsector,andthat,evenwhenitisnotarequirement,acertificatecanmakeiteasiertofindajobinthefield.

Themain sectors inwhich the handcrafters interviewedwork arebookbinding,leatherwork,ceramics, tailoringandtextile, jewellery,woodworkandcarpentry,serigraphy,silk screen printing, painting, restoration, photography and some "innovative" sectors inwhichrecycledmaterialsareusedorinwhichtwoormoresectorsintersect,suchastextilepainting, and design and making of stage props. The products made by them are books,notebooks,diaries,albumsandstationeryproducts;clothesandaccessories,bags,walletsandbelts; furniture andutensils, decorative objects for the home and vases; and some tourist,folkloreobjectssuchasmagnetswithtypicalscenesfromPalermoandSicily,dollsand"pupe"(typical dolls built in Palermo) andmaioliche. Surprisingly, just one out of 25handcraftersmake typical Sicilian objects (pupa andmaioliche), even thoughmost of those interviewedsaidthatthemarketdemandishigheramongtourists,withjusttwopeoplecreatingmagnetsandobjects for tourists.Materials used includepaper, textiles,wood, rubber,wool, stones,cement, brass, alpaca, aluminium, silver, leather, clay, cotton, silk and jersey. All thesematerials are used in different sectors and with different techniques, such as binding,welding, fretwork, filing, raku, enamelling, crystallisation, painting and serigraphy. Some ofthehandcraftersinterviewedsaidthattheyusepopularrecycledmaterialssuchasplasticandwood,butalsounusualmaterialssuchasshells, fruitandvegetablepapers,andbikes’ innertubes. Specifically, themain techniqueusedby thosewhouse textiles is binding. Themaintechniquesusedbythosewhoworkwithclayareenamelling,crystallisationandpainting.Themain techniques used by those who use paper are binding and serigraphy. In order topromoteanddisplaytheirworkandproducts,thelocalhandcraftersmentionedtwomainchannels: firstly, the Internet,suchassocialmedia(FacebookandInstagram)andwebsites,secondly,physicalspacessuchasshops,festivalsandtradeshows.Minorchannelswerealsomentioned, suchasworkshopsorganisedbydifferent stakeholders (e.g.CentroAstalli) andthe ALAB network (Association of Free Artisans, Artists Balarm). Some of the respondentssaid that they don'twant to use socialmedia because theywant to distinguish theirworkfromlow-qualitymassmarketproducts,buttheyarealreadypartoftheALABnetworkwhichisfundedinordertodistinguishartisticandcraftworkfromindustrialproduction.

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Not all of the respondents are interested in expressing local cultural traditionsthrough theirwork, adding that the reason is that there are already a lot of crafts that aredoing so. Some of them find Sicilian patterns too simple, others prefer to express theirpersonalvision,senseoftheworldandfashiontaste.Ontheotherhand,somestatedthattheywould do so for marketing reasons. The only typical cultural traditions mentioned areMaioliche,Monili,Fichid'India,Coffa,eachonementionedtwice,andS.Rosaliamentionedbythreepeople,andjustonepersonsaid"carrettisiciliani"(Siciliancart).Onlytwopersonssaidthat they would like to express the traditions of assembling and binding books, thuspreservingthequalityandtechniquesusedinthepast.

CYPRUS

Accordingtowhattherespondentsclaimedduringtheinterviews,inCyprusthemosttypical handicrafts, in terms of materials, techniques and final products, are metal work(produced by using fire), production of tools, basket weaving, knitting (especially lace),macramé (needlecraft), carving, shoe making, quilt making, making traditional chairs,woodcarving, textiles, woodworking (tools, machines, chemicals for wood conservation),general craftsmanship, mosaic, leatherwork, clothing, drawing, drawing on glass/spinningtops,pottery(clay,potter'swheel),frivolite(typeoflaceoriginatedinCyprus),crossstitches(pillow,linenmaterials),andmarbleengraving.

Thecraftmarket inCyprushassome issues and gaps,mostofwhichare linked torequirements of the market, such as lack of governmental support, lack of funding,bureaucracy problems, insufficient supply of materials – such as accessories for clothes'production- lowinterestinthejob,especiallyforthesectorof leathershoemaking, limiteddemand, competitionwithbig companies inparticular for thewooden chairs, lackof skills,lackofmaterials,especiallyforleatherwork.Inaddition,creativejobsareunderestimatedinCyprus, thus craft products are sold at a lower price than their actual value. Aminority ofrespondentsbelievesthatthesectorhasnoproblems,butgenerallyitisagreedthatthecraftmarket suffers from a lack of people, lack of materials, lack of interest and issues withbureaucracy.Inaddition,elevenrespondentsalsohighlightedtheirconcern,thattheyneedtohavepermissionfromtheCypriotHandicraftService.

WhenaskedabouttheskillsthatapersonshouldhaveinordertobeabletoworkinthehandicraftsectorinCyprus,intervieweesmentionedtechnicalskillssuchassewingandpattern-making(forclothing),knowledgeofhowtousemachines(e.g.tocutwood)andofelectronics,anabilitytoidentifythedifferenttypesoflaces,knowledgeabouttechniques,andpersonalskillssuchascreativity,experience/practice,timemanagement,naturaltalent,ability to have a good relationshipwith co-workers, patience, and general knowledge. Themajorityofthemthinkthatthemostimportantthingisexperience,evenmoreimportantthana professional qualification in the sector, with 68% thinking that there is no need forprofessional certificatesoracademicqualificationstoworkinthissector,althoughit isimportant for some even when not required. The remaining 32% said that a

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certificate/qualificationisneeded,inparticularmostofthemmentionedthenecessitytohaveadegree ingraphicdesignespecially forworking inaprintingshop,vocational training forwoodmakingandgeneralcertificate/qualification forclothes-making,especially forsewing,pattern-making,designinganddrawing.

InCyprustherearemanydifferent typesofhandicraft,suchaspottery,woodwork,jewellery-making,drawing,embroideryandmetallurgy.Handcrafters interviewed inCypruswork on different types of handicraft, in terms of sectors, such as jewellery-making,metallurgist, silversmiths, clothes design, wooden and iron-making, weaving and mosaics,typography, painting, fashion design, filigree, pottery, drawing on glass, knitting, marble,basket weaving. Products mentioned were structures and furniture, accessories, mobilebars, jewellery, plates, utensils, kapnistomereha (hand crafted silver utensils used forweddings),chairs,tables,bookcase,paneri(traditionaldolls),dresses,tablecloths,bags,casesforglasses,curtains,traditionaluniforms,pillowsandtablecloths.Themainmaterialsusedaremetal,glass,wood,wax,metal,plastic,quilts,mattresses,pillows,leather,iron,macramé,silver,gold,fabrics,clay,bronze,colours,glaze,thread,silk,marble,stubble,frivolite(typeoflaceoriginatedinCyprus).Themaintechniquesmentionedareknittinglace,carving,forgingofsteel,filigreeandusingasewingmachine.

Most of them display and promote their work through the internet, using suchmeansassocialmedia(Facebook, Instagram),videosandarticles inwebsites,onlineshops;others mentioned interpersonal and material means such as word of mouth, personalcontacts, magazines, shops, through tourism, festivals, exhibitions, by arranging trainingsessionsforchildrenandfreelessons.Onlytwopersonssaidtheywerenotwillingtodisplaytheirwork,astheyhavetoomuchwork.Atleastelevenpeoplenamedlocalcraftstraditionssuch as ancient metal production and tools, fabrics, lace (lefkaritiko), repair of filigree,copy/reproduction of ancient objects, textiles (foitis, lefkonikou, taisto, tapisteri, kourelou),traditionalcostumes,potteryandmarble,bothrepresentinganancienttraditionforCyprus.

GREECE

Accordingto the interviews inGreece, themainhandicraft typesare leatherwork,the making of sandals and shoes, bags and accessories, weaving, pottery, knitting, woodcarving, making of traditional musical instruments, natural cosmetics, basket weaving andnaturaldyeingofmaterials.Basedontheinterviews,thecraftmarketinGreecehasissuesandgaps,mainlyrelatedtotheabsenceofacentralorganizationconnectingallhandcrafters:indeed,someorganisationsarelicencedfromtheministryofculture,othersfromtheministryofindustry.Othershighlightedtheneedfortrainingonmarketingande-commerce.Anotherproblemidentifiedisthattherearenospecificregulationsonhowtobecomeahandcrafter,there is no national school for handcrafts, but there are private schools and courses ondifferentcraftsareprovidedbytheNationalLabourOffice.Amajorproblemconcernsthelackof interest in the sector among young people, who are not well informed about theopportunitiesofferedbycrafts,andhardlyeverchoosetobecomecrafters;asaresult,many

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traditionalhandcraftsarebeinglost.Inaddition,investmentinthesectorislow,asthereisnofundingavailableforcraftsinGreece;nevertheless,somerespondentsstressedthatsincethebeginningoftheeconomiccrisis,manypeoplehaverevivedsomehandicrafttraditionsusedinthepast,turningthemintoanewemploymentresource.

When speaking about the skills needed to be a handcrafter in Greece, therespondents said that it depends on the type of craft: some crafts may be easier, such asknitting, but other crafts require very specific skills and knowledge. A lot of people in thesectordonotpossessanyspecificqualificationand/oracademiccertificatesfortheirspecificcraft. Many of the people interviewed have studied arts, design, jewellery design, etc, buttherearealsopeoplerelyingonjustexperience,whileothershavehadvocationaltrainingandpracticed over the years. Usually handcrafters need to have a health and safety certificateissuedbyacertifiedorganization.

The group of handcrafters interviewed in Greece are mostly jewellery designers,knittingworkers,clothesdesignerswithsomepeopleworkingwithleatherorpottery;othersusematerialsuchasnaturaldyeingandnaturalcosmetics,andtechniquessuchasweaving.The rest are doing different things such as decoupage, painting, workingwithwood, glassdecorations,creationofseasonalitems.Somemakejewelleryfromdifferentmaterialssuchasgold, silver,preciousstones,otherspracticeknitting for clothes,bags, shoesanddecorativeitems. Thematerials used are jewellery, fabrics, precious stones, clay, looms etc., but itdependson theproducts theymake.Mostof thepeople interviewedpromote and displaytheir products in stores, bazaars, and in tourist areas during the summer; others have aFacebookpageandusee-commerce. Somehaveaworkshopwheretheymaketheircrafts,sometimesusingitasasellingpoint.

LITHUANIA

In Lithuania, respondents mentioned several handicrafts, which can be rankedaccordingtothefrequencyofmention:Carvingandwoodencrafts(suchasspoons,platesandfurniture decorated in cut-through patterns) and roofed religious sculptures on poles (informs of crosses); amber decorations (earrings, bracelets, rings, pictures, souvenirs, etc.);pottery (plates, cups, jugs, etc.); woven textiles (blankets, tablecloths, colourful carpets);weaving(wickerworkbasketsandfurniture);strawgardenmaking(3Dconstructionsmadeofdried grass); candlemaking; knitting.Other craftsmentioned less frequently aremakingmasks for the spring festival (forUžgavėnės carnival), making Easter eggs, making Verbos(bouquetsofdriedplantsusedontheSundaybeforeEaster).

Ingeneral,thehandcraftersexpressedtheirsatisfactionwithhowthingsareorganizedin Lithuania. In order to become a handcrafter, no specific certificate is requested. Ahandcrafter only needs to register as an individual businessman and pay quite a small tax(about10%fromthetotal income).Oneof thebiggest issuesmentionedbyhandcrafters isbureaucracy: some respondents also mentioned difficulties they experience when gettinglegalpermissionstoparticipateinfairsandmarkets.Furthermore,theincreasedavailability

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of cheap products from Poland and China, costing significantly less than handmade craftproducts,wasmentionedbythemajorityofrespondentsasamajorobstacle.

Most participants agreed that the most important skills in their specific crafts isbeingbothknowledgeableandskilled.Manyrespondentsstressedtheimportanceofconstantself-development and skills improvement. Some participants mentioned the need to havemarketingskillsandtobeabletoadvertiseanddistributetheirproductsalloverthecountryor overseas. Younger generations put a strong emphasis on the need to be able to sellproducts throughthe internet,aswellasontheneedtocommunicateandbuildcustomers’trust, while older handcrafters mostly spoke about the quality of products. Notably, therespondents mentioned not only skills, but character traits useful in the sector, such aspersistence (the ability not to give up in the face of obstacles), patience, faith and self-confidence.Inaddition,allrespondentsclaimedthereisnoneedforcertificatesoracademicqualificationstoworkinthehandicraftsector.

Thehandcraftersinterviewedaremostlyskilled inknitting,potteryandsewing.Themajority of products targetwomen and children as users. The crafts are diverse anddifferbetween genders. Male handcrafters prefer "heavier" crafts such as blacksmithing, woodcarving, weaving and furniture, while women prefer sewing, knitting, accessory making,perfumemaking, etc. Several sectors and products werementioned such as blacksmithing(makingdifferenthouseholdgoods suchasbarbeques,balconyholders, gates,decorations),knittingdifferent clothesandaccessories,boiledwoodclothes, shoes,decorationsand toys,creating straw decorations, natural candle making (aroma candles, traditional candles),cosmetics(perfumesandnaturalsoap)anddecorations.Alsomentionedweretheproductionof traditional clay crockery, home decorations, accessories and souvenirs; traditionalLithuanian toymaking, handmade soap creation, sewingwedding accessories, and creatingweddingdecorations;creatingBalticfolkaccessoriesandjewellery(especiallyusingamber);pottery,crockery(plates,dishes,vases,pots,decorations,womenclothes(scarfs,coats,hats),necklaces, earrings, bracelets andknitting toys. Claydecorations, souvenirs, simplemusicalinstruments (birds, bells), statuettes, decorative crockery with traditional Lithuanianornaments (spoons, forks, plates), carving and creating household supply, backyarddecorations andobjects (mini houses), sculptures,wooden crockery, etc.; sewing children’sandwomen’sclothes. In thesecraftsectorsandwith thesecompetencies, theyusecommonmaterials,whichareecologicalornaturalbecausethemajorityofcraftsareLithuanianfolkcraftswhichrequireusageofnaturalmaterials(linen,wood,wool,straw,cotton,textile,etc.).In order to promote their work, many handcrafters actively use the Internet. The mostcommon channels for online advertising are Facebook and Instagram. However, almost allcraftersrelyonthehumanfactor,consideringclientrecommendationstobethebestwaytodisseminate theirproductsand toattractotherclients.Themajorityofhandcraftersmostlyrely on free publicity, rather than actively investing in promotion. The nature of productpromotionandmarketing strategies ishighlydependenton the ageofhandcrafters andontheir familiaritywith the internet:youngerartistsactivelyuseandvalue thepossibilitiesofusing the internet, creating websites, Facebook and/or Instagram profiles, while the older

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generationofhandcraftersmostlyvaluetherecommendationsofclientsandparticipationinfairs(whichareverycommoninLithuania).

ThemajorityofparticipantsgavesimilaranswerswhenaskedwhatculturaltraditionfromLithuania theywould like toexpress throughtheirwork; inparticular, theysaid thattheylike"toexpressthenatureofLithuania","toshowhowrichourcultureis",toshowfolkmotifs (colours, patterns,materials) in order to demonstrate the uniqueness of Lithuanianculture, and distinguish it from other neighbouring cultures. Many handcrafters found itdifficult toascribea cultural value to theirwork,because theyhavenever thoughtabout ituntiltheywereasked.

UNITEDKINGDOM

According to the respondents, in the United Kingdom the main traditional craftsectors are, historically hatters and lace makers, and today other sectors include sewing,knitting,card-making,DIY,upcyclingandrecycling.Themainmaterialsarepaper,palletwoodand recycled fabrics such as curtains and old clothes. Yarn bombing is very popular, usingrecycledwool fromold jumpers todecorate street furniture, andupcyclingofold furnituresuchaschairs, tablesandshelves,usingpaints,varnishes.Othersmakewooden items fromrecycledwoodandpapercrafts,potteryandceramics.

According to the interviewees, there is no need forprofessional qualifications oracademiccertificatestobecomeacrafter,butitisimportanttohaveskillssuchashand-eyeco-ordination,patience,creativityandexperience,aloveofwhattheydo,practice,asenseofvision,andaccuracy.TheynamedsomegapsandproblemsthataffectthecraftsectorintheUnited Kingdom, such as the lack of sales outlets and opportunities such as craft fairs; it'scheaper forconsumerstobuythe finishedproductmade inChinarather thanahand-madeproduct.Otherproblemslistedarethelackofsuppliersofartsandcraftsmaterialsasmanyart shops have closed, lack of time and places to display and sell (it is very costly to rentgalleryspaces),aswellasaskillsgap.

This group of crafters ismainly skilled inwoodwork, painting, papercrafts, potteryandphotography;othersindressmaking,glassblowingandjewellery.Thematerialstheyusearewood, fabric, paper, card, paints, clay, pen, ink, old furniture, sandpaper, varnish, semi-precious stones, copper wire, old books, cotton, old vinyl records and clock mechanisms,wood,leather,silver,copperandglue.Thetechniquesmentionedaresewing,cutting,gluing,screwing,wirework,woodturningandstaining.Themeans topromoteanddisplay theirworkaretheinternet,websiteandFacebook,galleriesandcraftfairs,localcommunityeventsandbywordofmouth; however, the vastmajority enjoyed their crafts purely for personalenjoyment and as a hobby as they recognised the difficulty of making money from theirproducts

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Thecultural traditions theywould like to express through theirwork are seasonalitemsforfestivalssuchasChristmasandEasteraswellasbirthdayscards,paganandCeltictraditions,Britishdesignandvintageitems.

2.4.2.3 Collaboration and Integration of skills among migrant and local handcrafters – Local handcrafters' point of view

ITALY

Most of the handcrafters from Italy, said that theywould like to learnmoreabouttheirhandicraftsectors,butnoteveryonementionedaspecificforeigncountrytheywouldliketolearnfrom.OnlyfortheceramicsectorsomeintervieweesmentionedSouthAmerican,Japanese and Arab techniques, and for the leather sector someone mentioned Arab andFrench techniques. Someone named specific sectors and/or techniques linked to a specificcountry, such as Ethiopian bookbinding, Raku ceramic, Indian fabrics, Japanese drawingtechniques.Otherpeople said that theywould like to learnabouteverything fromdifferentsectors. Only four people are not interested in any foreign handicraft sector or technique.Amongthosewhoare interestedinforeignhandicrafts,15respondentsthinkthattherearesimilarities between Italian/Sicilian crafts and the foreign craft they mentioned, and fourotherpeopledonot.Noneof them specifiedwhatarethesimilarities,apartfromthetechniquesandtools.The15peoplewhoarefamiliarwithforeigncrafts and think there are similarities, think thatlocalandforeigncraftscanbecombinedintermsofmaterials and techniques, but among them onlythreepeoplecoherentlydescribedtechniquessuchassilkscreenprintingandsectorssuchasjewellery

making,ceramics,tailoringandcarpentry.100%ofthe respondents think that a collaborationbetween them and migrant artisans would beuseful for the handicraft sector in Sicily/Italy. Allthe 25 interviewed think that a collaborationbetween them and migrant artisans would beuseful for both groups. The reasons given are allbased on three principles, namely human andcultural exchange, handcrafted enrichment,exchangeofexperienceandknowledge.Otherbenefitsmentionedarethepossibilitytolearnmoreaboutpeoplecomingfromdifferentplaces(forlocalpeople)andtoexchangeideaswithothers. (for migrants) Skills growth, mutual learning, enrichment in general, labourintegration, knowledge of local practices and of other countries and cultures, and learningaboutworkingcyclesandtechniques,arementionedaspositivefeaturesbybothgroups.One

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person said that there could be benefits for both only if the productmadehas commercialvalueandit'swellmade-basicallyonlyifit'saqualityproduct.

Whenaskediftheywouldliketoteachmigrantartisans,onlythreepeoplesaidthatthey don't want to teach because they are not skilled enough to do it. The 22 other localhandcrafters said that theywould like to do it,mostlywithout specifyingwhich skills; twoothers added that they are already tutoring interns and some other people said that theywould like to teach their working techniques. The mentioned techniques are printing,serigraphy, xylography (wood engraving), bookbinding techniques, cutting and sewing ofbags.

Finally,mostofthemwouldliketolearn frommigrantartisans;sixpeoplesaidyeswithoutaddinganythingelse.Theothersgavevariedanswersaboutwhattheywouldliketolearn, suchasbookbinding techniques, leatherwork, ceramics, tailoringand jewellery skills,needlework and woodwork competencies, interweaving with threads and how to usewoodcraft tools. Some respondents added theywere not inclined to follow someone else’sapproach because they prefer to create their own approaches, ideas andways; others saidthattheywanttolearnnewthingsinordertobeinspiredintheirwork.

CYPRUS

When asked about foreign handicrafts, nine people are interested in learningspecificforeignhandicraftsincludingbladesmith(amakerofknives),sculpture,MayanandIncas masks, traditional marriage items used in the past,Swedish/Scandinavian/English/Dutch shoe making, interior design and jewellery designbelongingtoforeigntraditions,Greekproducts,textiles,Vietnamesebasket-making,Kapaneli,basketweaving,sewing,colouringfabrics(especiallytechniquesfromAfrica),pottery.Thesenine respondents are divided between a majoritywho find similarities between local and foreignhandicrafts and thosewhodonot. Specifically, twopeopledon’tfindanysimilarity,theremainingonesfind similarities in sectors such as architecture,metalwork,bladesmithing;whilesomepointedoutat similaritieswithPortugaland India in jewellery-filigree,mosaicsandbasketweaving.Lookingatthepossiblecombinationofmaterialsandtechniques,thesamerespondentsaredividedintotwogroups:50%ofthemthinkitcanbepossible,andmentionedlinkingmetalwithcandles(kineticart).Theremainingrespondentssaidthatforwoodenandironproductsthematerialsarethesameworldwide.

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Although the percentage of thosewho findsimilaritiesandconsiderapotentialcollaborationislow, when the entire group of respondents wasasked if they think that a collaboration betweenthem and migrants can be useful for both, themajority said yes. The most common answers onwhy andwhat both groups could benefit from arethatbothmigrantsandlocalswouldbenefitfromanexchange of knowledge and from gaining newknowledge,whichcouldalsoopennewemploymentopportunities.Thosewhosaidno,addedthattheybelievethattheCypriotpotteryshouldremainonlyinCyprus.

Respondingtothequestionsabouttheirwillingnesstoteachtheirskillstomigrants,elevenpeople said that theywould like todo it, teaching skills suchas the forgingof steel,welding, building violins,wooden and ironmaking/constructions, drawing,manufacture ofproducts, jewellery (filigree),metalworking, pottery,weaving,mosaics, paneri, embroidery,engravingandprintofdrawingonpaper,fabricandfurnituredesign.Thereasonstheygaveinclude the fact that theywould like tobe togetherwithotherhandcrafterswhileworking,and that through teaching theywould learn too.The seven respondentswhodon’twant toteachmigrantsadded that there isa lackofknowledge fromtheir side,othersbecause it isdifficult to teach and would need a lot of time and practice, some didn't specify, and twoothersarenotinterestedorhavenotime.

Ontheotherside,thepercentageofthosewhowouldliketolearnfrommigrantsisalittlebithigher(almostallrespondentsexceptforthree).Thosewhosaidthattheywouldliketo learn from migrants, mentioned foreign skills and techniques such as Damascus steel,instrument making, clothing, inscriptions (labels), shoe making, wood, iron production,colouring of wood, different constructions and designs, knitting and sewing, jewellery,clothes,bags,pottery,weaving,differenttypesofartespecially fromAfrica,basketweaving,knitting,colouringfabrics,marble.Onlyafewofthemmentionedspecificcountriesorregionstheywouldliketodrawthetechniquesorcraftsectorfrom.

GREECE

Basedon theanswersgivenby thehandcrafters interviewed,Greecehashadaveryrich handicraft sector since ancient times. Jewellery, leather and pottery are also veryimportant,andtherearespecialweavingpatternsusedintheclothingindustry.Mostoftheintervieweesareinterestedtolearnaboutforeignhandicrafts,especiallytheoldtraditionsof dyeingwith natural colours, knitting patterns from other countries, jewellery especiallyfrom Eastern countries and the way that African fabrics are made. Only a few of themmentionedspecificcountriesfromwhichtheywouldliketo learnsomecrafttechniques.Allrespondents have a wide knowledge of international handicrafts and are interested inexpanding their knowledge with new ways of making crafts. They believe that handcrafts

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havemanycommonelementsallovertheworld.Therearea lotofsimilarities inpatterns,materialsusedetc.Inparticular,thereisinterestinindigodyeingandthemakingofAfricancottonmaterials.Thereisalsoastrongbeliefthatcooperationisveryimportantinthisfield.For the entire group of interviewees, both the migrants and local people feel they wouldbenefitfromcollaborating.Inparticular,theybelievethatthiswouldhelpmigrantsfindouthow the Greek market is working, what is required to be a crafter, learn new and moremodern ways of working in terms of tools, raw materials and techniques, and the localhandcrafterscouldbenefitfromtheveryrichhandicrafthistorybroughtbypeoplefromSyria,IndiaPakistan,Africa,thussupportingthedevelopmentofnewmarketsallovertheworld.

Finally,allthoseintervieweddeclaredaninterestinteachingtheirskillstomigranthandcrafters,especiallyreferringtotechniquesformakingjewellery,traditionalandmodernclothing, natural dyeing techniques, marketing of products, health and safety in theworkplace,environmentalissues,commontrendsinhandcrafts,similaritiesanddifferencesinpatterns. A strong interest in the natural dyeing process and the African style of makingfabricswithpatternswasexpressed inrelation to theirwillingness to learn frommigranthandcrafters.

LITHUANIA

Inrelationtoknowledge,similaritiesandapossiblecombinationof localand foreigncrafts, many handcrafters in Lithuania are familiar with foreign crafts, since they alreadyorganize some training and workshops for locals and foreigners. Although themajority ofrespondentsagreeonthepossibilityoflocalandforeignhandcrafterscollaborating,theyfelt somedoubtsespeciallyrelating topotential intercultural issueswhenbringing togetherpeoplewithdifferentculturalbackgrounds.Ingeneral,handcraftersexpressedtheirinterestintypesofcraftssimilartothosetheypractice:someparticipants,interestedinknittingandweaving, mentioned their interest in weaving wool carpets. Pottery masters mentionedmakingMoroccan ceramics. Some craftersworkingwith beeswax expressed their desire toobtainmore knowledge about the role of beekeeping in different countries, rather than tolearn some new crafts.When asked if they are familiar with foreign crafts, some of therespondents said they felt unfamiliar with them, others had difficulties in distinguishingwhether the craft was foreign or not. The answers of handcrafters were varied. Due toglobalizationand commonknowledgeandpractices, somecrafters claimed that their craftsare really international (sewing, blacksmithing, knitting, soap making), at least in Europe.Respondentsagreed,thattechniquesandmaterialsmaybecombined,forinstance,beeswaxproduction, knitting, textile sewing, workingwith iron, stone, clay, wool and other naturalmaterialswhichareusedwidelyaroundtheworld.Therespondentssaidtheyarewillingtoexplorenewpossibilities intheuseofmaterialsandtechniques.Somerespondents founditdifficulttonamespecifictechniquesusedinforeigncountries,expressingdoubtsabouttheirknowledgeofthetopic.

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Nineteenrespondentsgavepositivefeedbackaboutapossiblecollaborationandderivingbenefits forbothgroups. Some handcrafters highlighted the possibility ofreaching migrants as customers, but others said theyhadn’t considered this. Among those who do not agree(four), some respondents argued that migrants mightbecomecompetitorsinthemarket.Othersexpressedsomedoubtsaboutsuchcollaborationduetolanguagebarriersandlocation(forinstance,migrantsmostlyliveinbigcities,butnotinsmallLithuanianvillages).Whenaskedaboutthebenefits,both thosewhoagree and thosewhodisagree, said that such collaborationmay encouragesocializationbetweenmigrants and local people, enhancing their skills andmutual culturalexchange,while itmay helpmigrants to learn the Lithuanian language and to get to knowlocalcustomsandtraditions.

Whenaskediftheywouldliketoteachtheirskills tomigrantartisans,the15whosaid yes mentioned knitting, sewing folk clothes, making wax candles, creating folk toys,carvingdishes,makingcrockeryandstrawgardens.RespondentsmostlyfocusedontheneedtomakemigrantsmorefamiliarwithlocalLithuaniancrafts,customs,andmaterialsinordertomake themmoreconfidentand integrated.However, somerespondentsclaimed that theskillsarehighlydependentonmigrants'needsandtheirculturalbackground,aswellastheirknowledge of Lithuanian and of other common foreign languages. Only four participantscouldn'tanswerthisquestionandexpressedtheirdoubtsaboutteachingthemigrants,duetotheircommitmenttoafamilycraftbusiness,languagebarriers,andlackoftime.

Ontheotherside,whenaskediftheywouldliketolearnfrommigrantartisans,18ofthemwere in favour; craftersweremostly interested in gaining skills related to their ownfieldsofcraftsandmentionedmakingpottery,knowingmoreaboutnewwaysandmaterialsto decorate pottery (Netherlands style, Japanese, Chinese style); sewing national clothes ofdifferentcountries;creatingsoapusingdifferentflavours;gettingmoreknowledgeaboutwaxand bee-keeping in different countries, blacksmith craft fromSyrianmasters, newpatternsand styles of weaving. The handcrafters did not mention any soft skills, except for newlanguagelearning.Theyaremostlyfocusedonskillsrelatedtotheircraftwhicharepractice-based. Some skills are very specific and relate to individual countries, others are rarelypracticed (i.e. forge), therefore they are difficult to implement. The remaining seveninterviewedstatedthattheydonotwanttolearnfrommigrantsduetolackoftime,theneedtomaintaintheirowncraftbusiness,languagebarriersandlackofmotivationingeneral.

UNITEDKINGDOM

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Whenaskedabouttheforeigncraftstheywouldlike to practice or to learn, some of those interviewedmentioned art nouveau, while others would like toexploresimilaritiesbetweenCelticandNativeAmericanheritage.OthersmentionedJapaneseandRussianwooditems,pottery and ceramics fromPeru, differentuseofcolours, brewery and winemaking. When the similarities and possible combinationsbetween foreign and local crafts are considered, twelve of them think there aresimilarities indesignandcoloursand in theuseofmaterials (underlining that there is lessemphasisonmachinetoolsandmoreonhandwork).OthersmentionedtraditionalartssuchascalligraphyandArabicscriptthatcouldbecombinedusingnon-traditionaltools.Anothernineinterviewedcouldnotidentifyanysimilaritiesorpossiblecombinations.

Ten of them think that a collaboration withmigrants could be positive because it might help withlanguage skills. Others stressed that it depends onwhen/where and what materials are involved. Themajority said that it could be a learning opportunity andeveryone can learn from each other, it would reduceloneliness and help migrants to integrate in the hostsociety.Anotherfoursaiditwouldn’tbepossible.

Whenasked if theywould like to learn frommigrant artisans,elevensaidyesandmentioned henna, basket weaving, woodworking, how to make a rug fringe, knotting andtying, how to make carpets, woodworking from Italian handcrafters, brewing andwinemaking;otherssaidthat itdependsonthecraftsector,whileotherssaidanythingthatwillbroadentheirknowledge.Eightpeoplesaidtheydonotwanttolearnfromthembecausetheydon’thavetime.

When asked if they would like to teach migrant artisans, six people said yes andmentioned sewing using machines, embroidery, alterations and mending, calligraphy,upcycling,propsandcostumesfortheatre,woodworkingandwoodturning.Otherssaidthatthey currently teachart and crafts to localpeople throughbothDCFL,CADand theTenantAcademy.Elevenpeoplesaidtheydon’twanttoteachbecausetheydon’thavetime,theyaretoobusyorbecausetheythinkitcouldcreatecompetition.

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3 CONCLUSION

The interviews conducted in each partner country allowed us to identify somecommon trendsand somedifferencesamong the twogroupsof respondents (migrants andlocalhandcrafters).

Theneedsanalysis carriedoutamong thegroupofmigrant respondentsacrossthe partner countries involved in the project (Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, UK) showedthat language and employment are generally identified as the primary integrationobstacles, followed by healthcare and accommodation. Moreover, in Italy, Greece andLithuaniamostoftheintervieweessaidthattheyreceivedemploymentsupportmostlyfromNGOs, friends, families and local volunteer initiatives; the interviewees in Cyprus receivedsupportfromlocalagenciestoo,thankstoEuropeanprojectsorbysearchinginonlineportals.In United Kingdom, the interviewees stated that they received some kind of employmentsupport without specifying where from. A high number of respondents are still facingdifficultieswith the local language (more thanhalf of respondents inGreeceandLithuania,slightlylowerpercentagesinCyprus,andItaly,andlessthanaquarterofthetotalnumberofrespondents in theUK). Inall thecountries involved, the lackof languageknowledge is theprimaryobstacletofindingajob.

Other obstacles in finding employment mentioned by respondents in all fivecountriesarethoselinkedtothelackofrecognitionofforeignacademicqualifications,racism,timemanagement problems, the need for a residency permit and the lack of sufficient jobopportunities.

Nevertheless,basedonthissurvey,thenumberofmigrantswhohavea job inthehost country is quite high in 3 out of 5 countries: specifically, in Cyprus, 96% ofrespondentshaveajob,andnoneisself-employed;inLithuania88%haveajob,withonlyonepersonwhoisself-employedinthefieldofhandicraft; inUnitedKingdom80%respondentshavea job,andonlyoneof therespondents isself-employed.Thetwocountrieswith lowerpercentagesareItaly,witha40%ofemployedrespondents,outofwhichonlythreeareself-employed, and finally Greecewith only 28% of respondentswho have a job, out of whichthreeare self-employed.Almostall theself-employedrespondentshave theirownpersonalhandicraft shop. Among those who are not employed, only in Italy and Greece are therespondentslookingforjobsinhandicraftsectors.

Acommontrendcanalsobeseenintheirknowledgeofjob-searchingchannels:themost commonly mentioned channels are word-of-mouth, friends and general social links,followedbydifferentinternationalandnationalinternetportalsandsocialnetworks.Unlikeothercountries,alocalsheltercentreandaprivateemploymentservicewerementionedbyrespondentsinItalyandinCyprus.

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Inallpartnercountries,respondentsthinkthatthemainskillneededtoobtainajobin the host country is the knowledge of the local language, hence confirming the previousstatementsaboutemploymentobstacles.Otherskillsmentionedacrossthedifferentcountriesare communication, relationship skills and knowledge of the local culture and system.Respondents alsohighlighted the importanceof acquiring technical skills to work in thehandicraft sector: thiswas the case for respondents in all countries except for Lithuania,where the skills mentioned are all related to marketing competencies. Only in Italy andLithuaniasomerespondentsmentionedsoftandpersonalskillssuchasloveandpassionforthiskindofjob,patience,courage,curiosityandaccuracy.

Almost none of the respondents seems to have a deep knowledge of self-employmentopportunitiesandregulations,norastronginterestinbeingself-employed;thefewpeoplewhosaidtheyhaveknowledgeonthisfield,wasabletoonlyprovidegeneralinformation about procedures and regulations, except for a respondent in Italy whomentionedalltherightproceduresasshealreadyhasherowncraftshop.

Regardingthehandicraftsector, in ItalyandCyprushighpercentagesofrespondentsdeemhandicraftarelevantemployment fieldforthem,respectively84%and88%.lowerpercentagesarefoundinGreece,with56%ofrespondentswhoagreeontherelevanceofthecraftsectorforthem,inUK(50%)andinLithuania,withthelowestpercentageofinterestedrespondents, corresponding to just 28%. Among those who are interested to learn localhandicraft, themost commonlymentioned sector in eachpartner country is tailoring;specifically, in Italy the three main local sectors they want to learn from are tailoring,woodwork and ceramics; in Cypruswoodwork, jewellery and tailoring; in Greece tailoring(for traditional Greek clothes), bags making and sculpture making; in Lithuania tailoring,makingofnaturalcosmetics,andhandmadedecorationsforcelebrations;inUnitedKingdomtailoring,musicproductionandfashioningeneral.

Moreover, the means to improve handicraft skills most commonly mentioned byrespondents is formal classes, mentioned as primary means in Italy, Cyprus and UnitedKingdom (in Lithuania as secondary means); in Greece and Lithuania, the primary meansmentioned is instruction videos (mentionedasasecondarymeans inCyprus).Thesecondmostmentionedmeansis learningbydoing,mentionedassecondarymeansinItaly,GreeceandUnitedKingdom(notmentionedinCyprus,andmentionedonlyfourtimesinUK).

Regarding themapping ofmigrants’ skills, Italy recorded the highest percentage(88%) of migrant respondents who have previous experience in handicraft sector; inGreeceandUnitedKingdomthepercentagesarerespectively56%and50%;thepercentagesbecomelowerinCyprus,with32%andinLithuaniawithonlythe16%ofrespondentswhohave some previous experience in the sector. In Italy and Cyprus, the handicraft sectorsrespondentsareskilledinarethesame,namelytailoringandwoodwork,whereasceramicsistheonemostmentionedin Italy,and jewellery inCyprus. InGreeceandLithuania,knittingwas to the most common craft; in addition, in Greece, many respondents are skilled injewellery and tailoring; in Lithuania in embroidery and wood carving; and finally, in the

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UnitedKingdom,respondentsaremostlyskilledintailoringasinothercountries,aswellasinpainting.

Themeansused to promote anddisplay theworkmostcommonlymentionedbythe interviewees are socialmedia, such as Facebook and Instagram. This is the case in allcountries except for theUnitedKingdom,whereonlyone respondent saidhedisplayedhiswork in a local café. Othermeansmentioned arewebsites and people-to-people contact inItalyandLithuania,storesandfriendsinCyprus,andfairsandlocaleventsinGreece.

Amongthehandicrafttraditionsfromtheircountriesoforiginthatrespondentswouldliketoexpressthroughtheirwork,tailoringismentionedacrossallfivecountries,intermsoftraditional textiles, clothes and fabrics. Nevertheless, in Cyprus and Lithuania the mostcommonly mentioned traditional handicraft is pottery. In Italy, Cyprus and Lithuania therespondentsthinkthattherearesimilaritiesbetweenhandicrafttraditionsfromtheircountryand the host country, in terms of same techniques,with the exception that respondents inLithuania and in the UK also find similarities among the materials. As for possiblecombinationofdifferenthandicrafttraditionsandusefulnessofacooperationbetweenmigrant ad local handcrafters, various viewswere recorded: in Italy, Cyprus andGreecetherearehighpercentagesofrespondentswhothinkthatacombinationwouldbeusefulforbothgroups.However,whileItalyandGreecethinkthatthiscombinationwouldbepossible,in Cyprus and in Lithuania the respondents could not be very precise. Respondents in theUnitedKingdomthink thatsuchacombinationwouldnotbepossible,butat thesametimetheybelieveitwouldbeuseful.

Regarding the questions related to the possibility to teach their skills to localhandcrafters, in Italy the100%of therespondentssaid theywould like todo it; inGreeceandCyprusthepercentagewas40%,intheUnitedKingdom64%,andinLithuania16%.

Whenaskedabouttheirinteresttolearnfromlocalhandcrafters,thepercentageofrespondentsgivingapositiveanswerwashighinallpartnercountries,specificallyItalyandGreece100%,Cyprus68%,Lithuania64%,andUnitedKingdom52%.

Themappingofhandcrafters’skillsshowedthatalmostalltherespondentsineachcountry have acquired their skills through more than one means, such as handicraftcourses,vocationaltrainings,apprenticeship,andfewofthemthroughUniversitydegreesorlearning by doing, being self-taught. Based on the interviews conducted with the localhandcrafters, the typical handicraft sectorswhich are sharedamong the involved countriesaretailoring,woodwork,leatherworkandceramics.

The main issues and gaps identified seem to be quite similar in all the involvedcountries,namelybureaucracy,andlowinteresttopaymoreforhandmadeproductsamongcustomers.Theskillstobecomeahandcraftermentionedineverycountryincludedtechnicalskills, with respondents stressing that these depend on the craft sector, and soft skills,amongwhichpatienceistheoneincommontoallcountries.Nowherewasthereanyneedforprofessional certificates or academic qualifications to become a handcrafter, even if some

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respondentsineachcountrywereunsureaboutitandothersaddedthatforcertainsectorsitmaybeneeded.

Thehandcrafters interviewed in every country are skilled in different sectors,but the five countries have in common handcrafters skilled in pottery/ceramics;woodworkersinItaly,CyprusandUnitedKingdom;jewellerymakersinItaly,Cyprus,GreeceandUnitedKingdom.

Facebook has been identified as the main means to promote and display thehandicraftworkinallthefivepartnercountries;othermeansincommonareInstagram(inall the countries except for Greece and United Kingdom), websites (in Italy, Lithuania andUnitedKingdom),shops(inallcountriesexceptforLithuania).

Themajorityofhandcraftersineachpartnercountryarenotinterestedinexpressinglocal cultural traditions through theirworks,butwould ratherprefer toexpress somethinginnovative.

Onlyafewofthehandcraftersinterviewedmentionedsectors,mostlyjustmentioningthattheywouldliketolearnmoreabouttheirownsectorbutnotspecifyingfromwhichcountry.

Not all respondentswere able to find similarities between their countries and foreigncountries’handicraft traditions,butamongthosewhodidfindsimilarities,almostnoonespecified what kind of similarity and between which countries. In Italy and Greece allrespondents think that a collaboration between them andmigrantswould be possible anduseful as well; in Cyprus, Lithuania and the United Kingdom the majority of respondentsagreedontheusefulnessofacooperationbetweenmigrantandlocalhandcrafters.

Greeceand Italyhaverecorded thehighestpercentagesofpeoplewhoarewilling toteach their skills tomigrants, respectively100%and88%; inLithuaniathepercentage is60%; finally, inUnitedKingdomandCyprus44%of therespondentsarewilling to teach tomigrants.

Thepossibility of learning new skills and techniques frommigrants received anenthusiastic response inallpartner countries,withhighpercentagesofpositiveanswers inItaly (100%), Cyprus (88%) and Lithuania (72%). Respondents did not mention specificcountriestheywouldliketolearnfrom,buttheyspecifiedthattheywouldliketoacquirenewskillsinthesectortheyarealreadyworkingin.

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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