The project aims at setting up a community enterprise based in Maratea (Basilicata Region, Italy) called „Nuova Libbaneria Mediterranea“, through a training and work placement programme for women at risk of marginality. The enterprise will market products of local handicrafts, contemporary design and experiential tourism offers.

With a view to developing this project, we are organising a residency programme in Maratea for European designers and makers. Two residencies will open a dialogue between traditional craft practices and the complexity of contemporary design production. The dialogue takes place in collaboration with the women involved in the training and work placement program, the women training them as well as the project facilitators to exchange skills and co-design the final prototypes.

Objectives
• Expand the range of contemporary craft and design products of the Nuova Libbaneria Mediterranea / New Mediterranean Libbaneria (NLM) through the ù experimentation of the use of the „libbani“ ropes and the „tagliamano“ plant used for their production (Ampelodesmus mauritanicus).
• Develop prototypes enabling the development a contemporary and community-driven chain of production.
• Consolidate a new production approach starting from the traditional craft practices, while organising the production process together with the group of women participating in the training and work placement program.
• Create new relations with professionals, organisations and territories by establishing a dialogue with the participating community through dissemination activities.

Who can participate
• Designers willing to expand their practice to handicrafts and research on sustainability through the use of natural materials, with particular reference to handicrafts.
• Makers interested in the development of the design process and prototyping. 4. How to participate Interested candidates should submit the design of at least one new product and/ or a production process that uses the „libbani“ (vegetable ropes), to be developed and prototyped during the weeks of residence.

The residencies include
• 2 weeks of work divided into 5 days of research/study and workshop activities and 2 days of dissemination and exchange activities in the area.
• A site visit that includes a tour of Maratea and its surroundings, in order to understand and (share) the environment in which the „libbani“ are produced as well as to understand the background of the links between the traditional craft techniques and contemporary design.
• Group workshop activities to learn about the production process of the „libbani“ to listen to the experience of the participants and discuss the evolution of study and research.
• Study, research and prototyping activities to develop the design idea
• Dissemination and discussion activities with the community with a final presentation of the works resulting from the residency

The remuneration foreseen for each residency and selected project is of 2,000 euros inclusive of all charges. This also includes the transfer of the production rights of the project to Nuova Libbaneria Mediterranea, subject to intellectual property rights (the selected designers will sign a release form). In case a product is sold, the author of the project will be compensated with a royalty of 3% of the sale price. Clear indications of intellectual property will be included in all communications related to the products. The final samples will form part of the offer of the Nuova Libbaneria Mediterranea as well as a digital library (images and how-to videos) and a catalogue of materials for the project. In addition, the organisation is responsible for accommodation (including food) expenses and travel (the latter up to a limit of 350 euros upon presentation of tickets and receipts).

 Other info here.