Promoting Natural Materials know-how

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Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) with the other Finnish partners has worked with natural materials for several years and Estonian Heritage Society (SRIK) has experience from the year 2001. The idea about the joint project arose from the common interest and need to develop cooperation. ProNatMat promotes natural material know-how in Finland and in Estonia and between these countries. The aim is to increase the use of natural materials in 1) Ecological building 2) Handicraft, Design and Art, 3) Cultural Heritage, and increase awareness among all groups of population. Training focuses on experts and public with wide communications. The strong traditional background in Finland and Estonia, different methods and materials and common interest in utilizing natural materials forms a fertile ground for a joint project. The natural material know-how is a part of cultural heritage which should be maintained and transferred to next generations before it disappears with old experts. On the other hand, there is a need to develop the new methods in order to create innovations and modern techniques. Local natural materials could partly replace materials imported from outside European but this requires experimental research. The project gathers, documents and produces information about natural material know-how and searches and develops new, innovative methods. Different events and workshops are arranged between Finland and Estonia. Activities divide five Work Packages as follows: WP 1: Project management and coordination of the project. WP 2: Natural material databank - data collecting and documentation. WP 3: Cooperation network - creating a model of cooperation network. WP 4: Experimental practices and researches - working in practice with traditional and modern methods and develop new ones in three dimensions mentioned above. WP 5: Dissemination and information- increase awareness and transmitting the results. All WP's and activities support each other, produce information for databank and raise awareness of sustainability in ecological, social, economic and cultural aspects. As a result of the project, ProNatMat will produce the model of cooperation network between Estonia and Finland, which enable actors to develop the natural material know-how and increase the use of it more effectively. The project activities are in the same line with objectives of Lisbon agreement and it will support the aim of European Union to promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue and in addition culture and creativity (European Agenda for Culture). All activities support sustainable development and have positive effect on environment. Furthermore it aims to produce content for the European Capitals of Culture year 2011 Turku and Tallinn. With Finnish-Estonian cooperation it is possible to achieve good results and best ways to promote natural material know-how.

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