The context and the background of the project Our project is a collaboration of three countries: Finland, Estonia and Latvia. The collaboration between Finland, Veikkolan koulu, and Estonia, Mustjoe Gumnaasium (represented by MTU Kooliklub "Idee"), started already in school year 2012 when the first arts and crafts exhibitions was held in both countries. Estonia has a strong handicraft tradition and experience in arts and crafts. Latvia, School no 21 in Riga, is the newcomer in this project and has also a long handicraft traditions and honourable mentions and awards in artistic projects, as well as in arts and crafts projects. The objectives of our project are to collaborate in order to combine arts and crafts, global education and sustainable development. With the help of arts and crafts we can promote many educational objectives that are hard to influence with cognitive subjects. In addition, we can involve pupils, who are usually easily left out and out of projects. We will increase internationality between schools in subjects which don’t necessarily need language or foreign languages, and whose products are accessible to everyone. Arts and crafts, and learning and understanding different materials will develop theoretical thinking, spatial perception, control of one’s body, and control of materials and tools. Also, arts and crafts strengthen self-esteem, teach problem solving skills and produce experiences of creative joy. They can add welfare and quality of life to a community. In the age of ICT and theoretical know-how, it is important to continue and develop handicraft culture and traditions. We wish to support the pupils’ cognitive thinking and learning, as it is scientifically researched that working with one’s hands affects cognitive learning. One of our aims is to appreciate aesthetics and our own skills as well as the skills of others. Another aim is to develop consumption habits and cultural activity and ecological viewpoint. The number and profile of participants The collaborating schools are: Veikkola comprehensive school in Kirkkonummi, Finland, Mustjoe Gumnaasium in Tallinn, Estonia and School number 21 in Riga, Latvia. Description of activities There will be the annual arts and crafts exhibitions where pupils of all three countries will participate. For these exhibitions pupils will plan and prepare their handicrafts during their normal textile and technical work lessons. A selection of pupils from each participating country will travel to these exhibitions and participate in various workshops held during their visiting week. After each exhibition pupil will spread their gained information and new knowledge via various media. The numerous activities will be evaluated on the bases of the feedback, reports and enquieries within the practises and values of the local administration. The results will be analysed and communicated to each party. Methodology to be used in carrying out the project In our project the pupil is the centre of all activity. Hence, all the activities are planned, executed and assessed by pupils and the role of teachers is to support and guide the pupils. A short description of the results and impact envisaged Since the handicrafts is a multifaceted phenomenon we expect several results in the following fields: global education, expanding and strengthening of pupils’ skills in arts and crafts, involving the different learners, integrated curriculum and the tangible works and events. The increased cooperation in the project will create new networks and open new perspectives into learning and into how we look at the world. Involving all kinds of learners in an international and pupil-centered project will improve their skills and empower them to further learning. Both school communities and individuals will profit from the projects results. The potential longer term benefits This project will affect all the participants, both teachers and pupils, in many ways and thus create long-lasting impacts in the participant school communities. First and foremost, the way we carry out this project, e.g. by empowering the pupils and making co-operation among different kinds of school subjects, will contribute to create unforgettable experiences to all participants. The gained experiences and learning on internationalization, tolerance and the meaning of handicrafts will support the further learning in other school subjects, as well, and help to disseminate the outcome of the project to a wider context, i.e. the stakeholders. The participant teachers will learn new working methods, too, and improve their teaching and co-operation within their working communities.