Craft2Biodiversity: Biodiversity and Innovation for sustainable Craftsmanship

Sustainable Innovations in Craftsmanship: Biodiversity as an opportunity for new products and business models

Many craft businesses today are faced with the task of systematically integrating biodiversity, energy efficiency, and sustainable management into their operational processes. At the same time, there is often a lack of concrete knowledge about how ecological responsibility can be combined with business practice.

Craft2Biodiversity addresses this need: The project develops practical recommendations that anchor biodiversity in the craft sector – from product design and operational infrastructure to new business models.

Project objectives:

Craft2Biodiversity researches the role of biodiversity in the skilled trades and presents practical solutions for the sustainable transformation of products, processes, and business models. The focus is on ecological responsibility, energy efficiency, and innovative strength.

Work package 1 creates the organizational and communicative basis for the implementation of the project. The aim is to coordinate cooperation within the consortium, ensure a uniform external image, and make the project results visible.

Work package 2 shows how biodiversity-promoting measures can be integrated at the operational level, particularly in the area of buildings and energy. Biodiversity is considered in conjunction with other planning objectives such as resource conservation and energy efficiency.

MCI is responsible for work package 3, which focuses on the practical implementation of biodiversity-promoting innovations. The aim is to identify, further develop, and implement forward-looking approaches in the skilled trades.

Work package 4 promotes long-term skills development in the skilled trades – through training courses, practical training, and formats for the next generation. The aim is to permanently integrate biodiversity as a forward-looking topic into education and training.

Outlook:

Craft2Biodiversity raises awareness of biodiversity in the skilled trades and opens up concrete opportunities for sustainable innovation. Through close cooperation between research, practice, and education, the project creates new perspectives for SMEs and skilled workers in Austria and Italy.

AIf you have any questions, please contact Antje Bierwisch (antje.bierwisch@mci.edu) or Susanne Schmid (susanne.schmid@mci.edu).

Insights, project perspectives, and exchange with companies, academia, and interested participants 

This networking evening brings together craft businesses with representatives from architecture, planning, research, and other relevant fields. The focus lies on practical impulses, insights into current project developments, and the exchange of diverse perspectives.

All interested participants are warmly invited to join, contribute to discussions, and build new connections.

As part of the Interreg project Craft2Biodiversity, initial project insights will be presented, and discussions will explore how biodiversity can be more strongly integrated into craft practices, construction processes, and material choices. The aim of the evening is to jointly identify potentials, share experiences, and foster new connections between practice, industry, and academia.

The networking evening offers space for inspiration, discussion, and informal networking with stakeholders from crafts, architecture, planning, business, and research.

When: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | Walk-in from 4:30 PM, followed by a get-together until 8:00 PM
Where: MCI I, Universitätsstraße 15, Innsbruck

Interested or have questions about participation?
We look forward to hearing from you:
Susanne Schmid: susanne.schmid@mci.edu

This event is part of MCI Sustainability Week 2026.