make-a-thek is an exciting project funded by the European Union, bringing together 9 international partners over the next 3 years. Together, we're setting up creative maker spaces in public libraries to explore circular fashion, traditional crafts, and local innovation – all inspired by the values of the New European Bauhaus: sustainability, inclusivity, and beauty.

Our pilot spaces will open in selected libraries in early 2026. And the best part? Everything we create – tools, guides, and ideas – will be shared openly, so others can build on it too.

make-a-thek is supported by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme for research and innovation, and will run until January 2028.

make-a-thek envisions local public library makerspaces that provide tools, courses, and resources to foster community innovation, circularity, and collaboration, with a focus on fashion and heritage crafts, while supporting local businesses and initiatives, aligned with the New European Bauhaus values.

make-a-thek pilots a scalable co-creation model with selected European and international libraries, building on existing community networks and initiatives. 

In a disconnected world of fast fashion and throw-away things, make-a-thek brings back creativity, craftship and community. By partnering with selected libraries in Europe and beyond, make-a-thek gives a place for innovation, learning and sharing, promoting a more circular, local economy.

It brings together the great work that is already happening; strengthens public libraries as community hubs, and gives an international platform for the community circular movement.

We encourage people to move away from the consumerism model of design, use and waste to consciously thinking about what they buy, make, and use in fashion and crafts. We also inspire new circular business models by co-creating the needed infrastructure for local production, care, repair and reuse or recycling. This allows for locally meaningful circular products and services to be trialled in a real-life setting.

make-a-thek pilots at selected public libraries and will be launched in early 2026. We will be transparent about our project. We’ll share our open source framework and resources so others can learn.

make-a-thek is funded by the European Union through its Horizon Europe program for research and innovation. make-a-thek will run until January 2028.

Libraries are Hubs for Creativity
We believe public libraries are vibrant places of creativity, innovation, and lifelong learning—where everyone can explore, experiment, and make.

Modular Spaces for Fashion and Crafts
Together, we set up modular, adaptable makerspaces that bring fashion, crafts, and creative technologies within reach of all people, regardless of background or experience.

Where Crafts meet Digital
We integrate heritage crafts with digital fabrication to inspire new forms of creation that honour tradition while embracing innovation.

Sustainable by Design
We champion circularity and responsible making—encouraging repair, reuse, and mindful, sustainable production.

Co-creating with Communities
We work alongside communities as equal partners, supporting them to share knowledge, build skills, and co-create solutions rooted in local needs and culture.

Creative Users for Circularity
We inspire everyday creativity by combining heritage, innovation, and hands-on learning. Through these small but meaningful shifts, users become active contributors to a resilient, circular future.

Inclusive and Open
We uphold inclusivity as a core principle, removing barriers to participation and actively designing for diversity, equity, and access. By sharing resources openly, we enable broader educational, cultural, and creative engagement across interconnected networks.

Scaling Impact Globally
We grow from local activation to global impact by weaving together creativity, cultural heritage, circularity, and innovation across continents while welcoming new communities to embrace a make-a-thek approach.