Reviving traditional shipbuilding on Hiiumaa island

A ‘Kaljas’ is a two-masted traditional schooner, which was the most common sailing ship on Hiiumaa island. There was a long tradition of building these boats; however, during the Soviet era, construction of these wooden ships was interrupted and the traditional shipbuilding techniques and knowledge were almost lost. 
The Local Action Group (LAG) Hiiumaa started a Community Led Local Development (CLLD) initiative, which brought together a wide range of partners and combined European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and European Marine and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) funding to revive this traditional shipbuilding and the island’s cultural heritage. The project partners also organised training courses and workshops that allowed for transfer of knowledge and skills around these techniques, while generating income for the local community.