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Fab-Maker is an Erasmus+ project running from September 2025 to May 2027 designed to connect the vibrant maker ecosystems of the Czech Republic and Germany and inspire the European community.
Makerspaces often face critical operational hurdles in isolation. Fab-Maker connects the rapidly growing Czech community with the established German VOW network (500+ workshops) to exchange knowledge and professionalize operations.
Our initiative addresses the core issues that define whether a workshop survives or thrives in the long term:
The Questions
We focus on moving from individual efforts to a shared framework for cooperation and growth.
Affordability
How to balance low entry costs with rising operational expenses?
Safety
How to manage liability and risk in a public workshop environment?
Resilience
How to prevent founder burnout through sustainable volunteer models?
Purpose
How to become an inclusive community hub, not just a tech lab?
Our Core Goals
We focus on moving from individual efforts to a shared framework for cooperation and growth.
Cross-Border Dialogue
Solving common challenges through direct collaboration between Czech and German associations.
The Handbook
Creating a practical, data-driven guide for running national networks and individual workshops.
Upskilling & Inclusion
Ensuring that makerspaces remain accessible environments for everyone.
Key Focus Areas
The project targets specific operational areas to ensure the viability of the maker movement.
Professional Governance
Moving from volunteer-only models to professionalized management.
Safety & Standards
Sharing liability and risk management protocols.
Financial Sustainability
Learning how to diversify funding beyond one-off grants.
Real Inclusion
Making accessibility a core part of workshop operations.
Project Journey
We focus on moving from individual efforts to a shared framework for cooperation and growth.
The Story: Over 21 months (September 2025 – May 2027), we will conduct study visits and workshops, culminating in a final presentation of results at Maker Faire Prague 2027.
The main output of the project is a comprehensive Handbook aimed at strengthening the European maker ecosystem.
This is more than just a manual for beginners; it is a practical tool for the development of established organizations. Even our German partner, the VOW network, is using this process to better understand its members' needs and provide even more effective support. The Handbook is built on real data and experiences from both Czech and German environments.
What will you find in the Handbook?
We are organizing a series of interactive meetings in Czechia and Germany that serve as our "living lab."
How does it work?
We combine practical workshops with managerial roundtables on topics such as membership models, safety protocols, and funding strategies.
Our Goal
We want to gather feedback directly from you, the people in the field, and verify that the solutions proposed in the Handbook truly work in daily practice.
We believe that theory is not enough and that personal experience is non-transferable. That is why we are organizing four key exchange visits between Czechia and Germany.
Final Meeting: Be there with us!
The entire project will culminate at Maker Faire Prague 2027. This event is open to everyone. We will present the results of our collaboration, launch the finished Handbook, and we look forward to meeting you in person.
We look forward to seeing you there!
