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In an age where digital transformation reshapes how we live and work, many artists and craftspeople in rural areas still face exclusion from the opportunities it brings. The Skillful AID Project, co-funded by Erasmus+ under Key Action 2 (KA210-ADU), is addressing this gap by equipping creative microbusinesses with the tools, knowledge and confidence to thrive sustainably, without abandoning their local roots.

The project brings together three organisations:

• FPIMM Brasov (Coordinator – Romania)
• Bravery Devotion – Associação de Empreendedorismo Feminino (Portugal)
• Storytellme, Unipessoal Lda. (Portugal)

This transnational partnership spans rural and semi-rural regions in both Romania and Portugal. It supports adult educators and small-scale entrepreneurs, particularly artisans, women, Roma communities and those over 35, who often face barriers in digital visibility, business resilience and access to training.

Rita Omar: dancing in rural Portugal is an act of resistance

Rita Omar is a communication specialist, creative trainer and founder of Omar Studio. Her journey through dance, education, branding and digital content reflects the complex reality of working creatively in Portugal’s interior. Rita also serves on the board of the Artists’ Society in Estremoz, one of the local hosts of Skillful AID training sessions. Rita testifies to the challenges of implementing an artistic project in this context:

“In my experience with contemporary dance, making a living solely from dance in Portugal is already a massive challenge, it’s an act of resistance. When you add living in a rural area and raising a family to the equation, it becomes nearly impossible. There is no substantial audience familiar with the language of contemporary dance. Rural areas, with ageing populations, often mistake dance for fitness or Zumba.There are no professional schools or companies providing high-level, ongoing training. There’s no political will to democratise access to the arts outside the big cities. Cultural venues often lack the conditions to host dance properly. Racist stereotypes persist, particularly around Black bodies in dance. And without viable alternatives, dancers often turn to teaching in gyms or associations, even if it’s not their vocation. It’s an art form built on bodily expression and yet it faces so many invisible barriers.”

Conceição Pires: from ancestral inks to eco-innovation

Conceição Pires is an eco-artist, trainer and entrepreneur from Montemor-o-Novo, where she founded Tinctória – a studio focused on ancestral techniques of natural ink production using locally sourced dye plants.

She also co-leads Light Factory, a project exploring eco-printing, photography and creative sustainability. Her work bridges art, ecology and local culture, demonstrating how creativity can regenerate not only materials, but also communities. In her words:

“Balancing art with environmental responsibility in rural contexts requires merging creation, ecology and local culture. At Tinctória, using native dye plants is both an artistic act and an ecological gesture. Reviving ancestral colour extraction methods nurtures environmental awareness and safeguards local knowledge. This opens the way for sustainable business models connected to the green economy and creative tourism. Art becomes a tool for ecological regeneration, territorial appreciation and community inclusion.”

Building Futures Where Roots and Innovation Meet

Skillful AID combines digital learning resources, peer storytelling, creative business guides and pilot workshops in Portugal and Romania, reaching over 45 entrepreneurs and 10 adult educators. The content includes snack learning modules, an e-book on sustainable creative business, and real success stories, like Rita’s and Conceição’s, which serve as tools for inspiration and action.

By strengthening the digital and entrepreneurial capacity of creative microbusinesses, Skillful AID addresses social and territorial inequalities while fostering ecological awareness, community resilience and cultural sustainability across both countries.