Textil4all was created with a dual objective: to offer adult women at risk of exclusion a real path to employment and, at the same time, to accelerate the circular transition of textiles in line with the EU Strategy for Sustainable Products. To achieve this, we designed a programme that combined technical training, leadership development, and business networking.20 workshops were held in the neighbourhoods of San Cristóbal de los Ángeles and Thessaloniki, where participants acquired skills in: Awareness of the problem of fast fashion and its negative impact on the environment, textile recycling, waste management, eco-design, traceability and digital marketing or key skills for accessing green jobs. At the same time, we aimed to connect this talent with the market: networking forums coordinated by Finnova brought together SMEs, clusters and local authorities, facilitated internship contracts and encouraged the establishment of cooperatives focused on the collection and recovery of textile waste. The ultimate goal was for each student to finish with a viable business plan, a transnational network of contacts and the confidence necessary to exercise leadership in their community.
Textil4all was created in response to a double deficiency in European policies: on the one hand, the EU Strategy for Sustainable Textiles, which requires qualified personnel in repair, eco-design and traceability; and on the other hand, the market for vocational employment training, where analysis has revealed deficiencies in training programmes that combine technical skills and abilities, environmental awareness and entrepreneurship; and, on the other hand, persistent female unemployment, which is above average in the disadvantaged neighbourhoods of San Cristóbal de los Ángeles and in the outskirts of Thessaloniki, aggravated by precariousness and language barriers. Previous research carried out by ECyS and Envolve confirmed that it is of the utmost urgency to provide access to training and employment for vulnerable sectors in both regions, in order to promote access to decent employment and boost the local social economy, within the Sustainable Challenges. With Textil4all, we wanted to link these two needs and create a transnational network that directly connects students with SMEs, clusters and administrations.