On December 15, 2025, a SYMCRAFT workshop was held in Vienna as part of the Interreg project “SYMCRAFT – Creative craft for industrial symbiosis in circular economies.” Representatives from the BI for arts and crafts and the BI for fashion and clothing technology met to test and further develop the SYMCRAFT approach in a practical setting.
Led by Dr. Madeleine Block, the workshop focused on validating the SYMCRAFT service portfolio, particularly modules on the reuse of industrial waste materials, recycled-product business models, and legal frameworks for cooperation between industry and craft-based or creative enterprises. Practical insights were directly integrated into the project’s tool logic.
A key outcome was the joint review and completion of a questionnaire defining essential contractual elements for successful collaboration, including responsibilities, material flows, rights of use, liability, and cooperation structures. Practical experience from existing upcycling initiatives was also identified as a valuable next input for refining cooperation and contract models.
Discussions highlighted that many collaborations currently operate informally, often without written contracts—an important finding that will inform the development of realistic, practice-oriented cooperation models.
Overall, the workshop marked an important milestone for SYMCRAFT, strengthening the foundation for viable circular business models and effective cooperation between industry and trade/creative professionals.