Tèxtils.CAT has started two new European projects funded by the Erasmus+ programme, FUTURFIBER and GREENWEAVE. The cluster takes part in both as a partner, and its team attended both kick-off meetings: FUTURFIBER met in Štip (North Macedonia) on 14 October, and GREENWEAVE met in Sandefjord (Norway) on 20 and 21 October.
FUTURFIBER: bringing research on sustainable fibrous materials into engineering education
FUTURFIBER (Integrating Advanced Sustainable Fibrous Materials into Engineering Curricula) is a 24-month cooperation partnership in higher education. It is coordinated by Goce Delčev University of Štip, with the University of Minho (Portugal), the Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași (Romania) and Tèxtils.CAT as partners. The project will turn published research on natural and bio-based fibres, composites and functional textiles into an open-access 5-ECTS course for engineering students.
The most relevant results will be:
- A competence framework on advanced fibrous materials.
- An open research database of more than 100 scientific references on natural and bio-based fibres, composites, functional and protective textiles and sustainability.
- An online course with 10 video lectures and a teacher’s guide, released as open educational resources that can be freely reused, including for in-company training.
GREENWEAVE: skills and awareness for sustainability
GREENWEAVE (Empowering Adult Learners for Sustainable Fashion and Conscious Consumption) is a 30-month cooperation partnership in adult education. It is coordinated by FØNIX (Norway), with CITEVE (Portugal), CIAPE (Italy), STEP Institute (Slovenia), Creative Thinking Development (Greece) and Tèxtils.CAT as partners.
The project helps adults adopt sustainable consumption practices, with a focus on adults with fewer opportunities. It also strengthens the capacity of textile and clothing SMEs to implement sustainable and circular practices.
The most relevant results will be:
- A mapping of skills gaps, learning needs and good practices among SMEs and other actors of the textile and clothing ecosystem in the partner countries.
- The Green Fashion Learning Package, a set of training modules, micro-workshops and digital resources on sustainable production, circular economy, innovation and responsible consumption, aimed at SME employees and textile professionals as well as consumers.
- The Green Wardrobe Challenge, a 30-day “sustainable wardrobe” initiative where companies will be able to take part alongside citizens and educators to promote repair, reuse and conscious purchasing.
- Consumer awareness campaigns and multiplier events in all partner countries, which will help raise demand for more sustainable textile products.
Through both projects, Tèxtils.CAT continues to accompany its members in the green transition and in the development of the talent the sector needs.
