World Craft Region title as an asset for Bornholm's craft and tourism

In the autumn of 2017, Bornholm was awarded the title of World Craft Region. This project aims to explore how the World Craft Region title can benefit Bornholm by strengthening the craft sector and increasing the visibility of craftspeople and their work in relation to tourism. In 2017, the Regional Municipality of Bornholm (BRK) applied for Bornholm to be granted World Craft Region status, a title awarded by the World Craft Council, the world's largest craft organization. Following the preparation of the application and a visit from an international jury, Bornholm was awarded the title of World Craft Region in the autumn of 2017—the first of its kind in Europe and the first island in the world to achieve this prestigious honor. Bornholm earned the title due to, among other things, the very high level of quality and authenticity maintained by many of the island's craftspeople, their impressive organization within ACAB, and a high density and diversity of practicing craftspeople working across many different materials and methods. This is combined with versatile cultural and educational institutions that are either focused on or play a significant role in craft and its promotion. The jury also highlighted the importance of the quality and prevalence of craft on Bornholm for the island's tourism sector and recommended that its economic impact be measured and evaluated, partly to guide future strategic investments in the craft sector in a way that ensures the benefits reach the entire island. At the same time, the WCR designation is a unique opportunity to position Bornholm as Europe's creative island. CRT previously produced the report "Creative Communities" (Rømer & Larsen, 2013), which was drawn upon extensively for BRK's application to the WCC. Furthermore, CRT hosted the WCC jury during their visit in late summer 2017, and a current CRT employee helped shape ACAB's initiative regarding the WCR in its early stages.