The Southeast Asia regional programme New for Old aims to promote, support and develop the craft and design sector, helping to make it more sustainable and viable for designers, entrepreneurs and their communities.  

Since 2014, we have worked in Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam to provide opportunities for training, collaborations and exchanges with artisans, designers and makers. The ambition is to build long-term links between the UK and Southeast Asian craft and design industries, while helping to elevate the status of craft globally. 

The crafts sector is a source of cultural diversity and has a role to play toward sustainable development. Through innovative and contemporary design practices, crafts can foster mutuality and creative collaborations internationally.

To date we have worked closely with regional and UK partners to deliver a programme of workshops and training sessions focused on developing business skills and supporting product development for international markets, alongside design exchanges, research residencies, workshops, collaborations, conferences and exhibitions.