Community crafts and culture : empowering indigenous communities

Abstract

Community Crafts and Culture (CCC) is a collaborative research project working in Costa Rica that, recognising the essential nature of intergenerational transmission of collective knowledge, sets out to create an online community map of local artisan workshops and to document significant sites in the landscape. A website is being created in collaboration with the local community as part of a local development strategic plan to increase sustainable tourism, using the physical eco/community museum as the administrative hub. Working with existing groups and respected women leaders, the programme also empowers young people by engaging them with their indigenous heritages. Given the opportunity to assume leadership roles and gain skills, young people’s practical experience can contribute towards a more equal and fair com-munity that respects their ancestors’ landscape and safeguards their distinctive ecology for fu-ture generations.