Based on the research and collaboration experiences of the panelists, it seems that in developed countries traditional handicraft and maker cultures are complimenting each other to breath new life and innovation into established traditions. However, in developing countries this seems to be different: Although informal sector activities often overlap with do-it-yourself culture, many “Maker” initiatives have ignored existing grassroots innovators. Gesche Joost, Anna Waldman-Brown and Juliet Wanyiri will discuss what can be learned from working collaborations and how in future makers and artisans can better collaborate.