SLIDE RAICES

RAICES Revitalising the Capacities of the Indigenous Artisan Community for the Growth of Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Peru and Colombia

Artisanal know-how in footwear and textile manufacturing in countries such as Colombia and Peru is essential. Its preservation requires a comprehensive transformation focused on sustainability and digitalisation to ensure competitiveness and the labour regeneration of social groups at risk of exclusion. In this context, Inescop is developing the RAÍCES project, funded by the European Erasmus+ programme, with the aim of improving training opportunities and socio-labour conditions in rural and marginal areas, while weaving cooperation networks that help secure the future of the industry.

RAICES web

The textile and footwear industry is a key pillar of the local economy in Colombia and Peru, with a significant contribution to the manufacturing GDP of both countries. However, the sector faces major challenges, including professionalisation, the inclusion of women and young people in production chains, and the need to redirect manufacturing processes towards more sustainable methods.

Migration to large cities is also causing a progressive loss of ancestral knowledge and traditional artisanal production techniques that form part of the cultural heritage of these rural communities. Ensuring intergenerational knowledge transfer, reducing pollution in production processes and improving labour integration for rural communities are essential aspects, together with strengthening commercialisation networks in these sectors.

Within this context, RAICES emerges as a European project funded under the [ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE] — [CAPACITY BUILDING IN HIGHER EDUCATION] call. Its purpose is to strengthen training, technical and organisational capacities across the artisanal textile, footwear and leather goods value chain in Peru and Colombia. The project adopts an innovative approach that combines the preservation of ancestral knowledge with sustainability, circular economy principles and digitalisation, promoting a fair and inclusive transition towards more responsible production models.

OBJECTIVES

1. To strengthen educational and technical capacities in sustainability, fair trade, digitalisation and entrepreneurship, improving access to quality vocational and non-formal training adapted to local contexts for women, young people and indigenous communities.

2. To reduce the digital divide through the adoption of technological tools that facilitate access to training, commercialisation and connection to value networks, via the Raíces Hub digital platform.

3. To reinforce cooperation and dialogue among public, private and community stakeholders in the textile, footwear and leather goods sectors, fostering strategic partnerships that promote employability, innovation and territorial development.

4. To improve the quality, relevance and responsiveness of vocational education and training through the development of a modular curriculum adapted to the cultural, social and productive realities of indigenous and rural communities.

5. To preserve and revitalise cultural heritage and ancestral artisanal production techniques, promoting intergenerational knowledge transfer and their integration into sustainable business models.

6. To promote gender equality and the inclusion of young people in the textile and footwear sectors, encouraging their active participation in training, production and entrepreneurial processes.

EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Conduct a participatory diagnosis of training and productive needs in indigenous communities in Peru and Colombia, validated by key sector stakeholders.

2. Design and implement an innovative, modular and culturally adapted training curriculum focused on sustainability, circular economy, digitalisation and artisanal entrepreneurship, targeting artisan communities in Colombia and Peru.

3. Improve the skills of trainers and local agents, ensuring effective knowledge transfer and the sustainability of project results.

4. Develop and launch the Raíces Hub digital platform as a space for training, knowledge exchange and market connection.

5. Create a public–private–community cooperation network to strengthen sector coordination and foster new opportunities for collaboration and employment in Colombia and Peru.

6. Organise specific actions in Colombia and Peru aimed at valuing artisanal heritage, such as incubation programmes, competitions and visibility spaces for young artisans.

7. Achieve a positive local impact on the socio-economic inclusion of indigenous women and young people by improving their skills, employability and access to sustainable economic opportunities.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD

Start date: 01/01/2026
End date: 31/12/2028

PROJECT: 101242700 — RAÍCES | CALL: [ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE] — [CAPACITY BUILDING IN HIGHER EDUCATION]

RAÍCES project contributes to the SDGs:

ODS 4 ODS 8 ODS 9 WEB ODS 12 WEB ODS 17 WEB

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PARTNERS

Inescop

Project funded by:

LogoNUEVO UE EN 2021 2027

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.