The Story Behind Every Craft Begins with Transparency: TransparencyChain

Originn
Jun 10
2 min read

Craftsmanship carries cultures, preserves local memory, and passes knowledge and skills from one generation to the next. Yet today, the true value of many artisans’ work is becoming increasingly invisible.

Information about the materials used, where the raw materials come from, and how a product is made can easily get lost along the way. This lack of visibility leaves both makers and consumers at a disadvantage.

TransparencyChain aims to address this challenge by creating a system that preserves the story behind every product and carries it into the future.

Craftsmanship and Blockchain: Why Bring Them Together?

Blockchain may sound like a highly technical concept, but its value for artisans is quite straightforward:

It allows the story of a product to be securely recorded, preserved, and traced without being altered.

Through this technology, information such as:

the origin of raw materials,
the different stages of production,
and the journey of the finished product

can be recorded transparently and reliably.

This makes it possible to:

help prevent counterfeit products,
make the true value of craftsmanship more visible,
and strengthen consumer trust.

What is the TransparencyChain Project?

Supported by Erasmus+, TransparencyChain is being jointly developed by Originn, Barbot Bernardo, Loonakits, and Saber Fazer.

The project is developing a blockchain-based provenance tracking platform for artisans and raw material suppliers.

As part of the pilot programme taking place in Portugal in 2026:

30–40 artisans and suppliers will test the platform,
four trainers will receive training on how to use it,
and participants will be supported in developing their digital and marketing skills.

The programme aims to make technology more accessible while ensuring that craftspeople are supported throughout their digital transformation journey.

Why Is Originn Part of This Project?

For the past ten years, Originn has been building an ecosystem that works alongside artisans, creative producers, and community-based initiatives.

For us, value lies not only in making things, but also in thinking together, sharing knowledge, and bringing the stories behind people’s work into the wider community.

There are four main reasons why we became part of TransparencyChain:

1. Making craftsmanship more visible

Artisans need new tools to present and preserve their production stories in the digital world in a reliable and meaningful way.

2. Supporting ethical and sustainable production

Making the provenance of a product traceable can contribute to a fairer ecosystem for both producers and consumers.

3. Making digital transformation possible together

Many artisans may feel unfamiliar with or hesitant about using digital tools. We believe in creating a supportive community that can guide them through this process.

4. Connecting local production with the wider world

Guided by our approach of “Local Action, Global Connection,” one of Originn’s core motivations is to connect the stories of local production with global audiences.

TransparencyChain reflects these motivations and represents a collaboration that strengthens both community and production culture.

The Future of Craftsmanship Is Transparent

TransparencyChain is not simply a technology project. It is a collective effort to trace the story behind every product, empower craftspeople, and contribute to a more transparent culture of production.