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Too Fast Too Fashion

2024-1-IT03-KA152-YOU-0002211932024Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: IT|TR|PL · Grant: €30,275
Environment and climate changeGreen skillsKey competences development

Objectives

The Too Fast Too Fashion project was born from the urgent need to address a pressing issue: the growing negative impact of fast fashion on the environment and on young consumers’ awareness. Data on greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution generated by the fashion industry were alarming. The fast fashion sector had contributed significantly to environmental degradation, but equally concerning was the lack of awareness among consumers—especially young people—who often struggled to recognise greenwashing practices. Although many young people wished to make more sustainable choices, they frequently ended up making poorly informed purchases due to limited access to information and skills. From the meetings and interviews conducted during the project’s design phase, it emerged—directly from the voices of the young participants—that they felt trapped between the desire to express their individuality through fashion and the awareness of the environmental impact of their passion for shopping. They expressed the need to understand how their purchasing behaviours affected the environment and the desire to acquire the skills necessary to make more conscious choices without compromising their sense of style and identity. Research by ThredUp further highlighted a growing sense of remorse among fast fashion consumers, especially within Generation Z, who often found themselves regretting impulsive purchases and feeling conflicted with their own environmental values. The primary objective of Too Fast Too Fashion was to provide young people aged 18 to 25 with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the environmental impact of fast fashion. The project enabled them to make more conscious and sustainable clothing choices. Furthermore, it helped them recognise greenwashing practices, allowing them to distinguish more clearly between companies adopting genuine environmental policies and those relying on misleading marketing strategies. TFTF actively involved young people in the decision-making process and in the implementation of the project. The intention was to ensure that they felt engaged from the very beginning, participating in the design of activities that reflected their concerns and interests. The project aimed to create an open and inclusive environment in which young people could share experiences, opinions and ideas about sustainable fashion. It developed interactive workshops, online forums and discussion groups where they could talk about their challenges, successes and strategies for becoming more conscious consumers. It also encouraged creativity and innovation among young people in the field of sustainable fashion, offering spaces to explore new approaches, innovative designs and creative solutions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of fashion—including participation in competitions or sustainable design labs. The project also focused on developing practical skills. It organised training sessions and hands-on activities that taught young people how to identify sustainable materials, recognise responsible corporate policies and use resources such as vintage or recycling to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. The intention was that this project would not remain just an individual experience but would also involve the local community. Public events, exhibitions and markets were organised to raise awareness not only among the direct participants but also among local citizens about the importance of sustainable fashion. These elements contributed to creating an inclusive, participatory and practical project that engaged young people in driving positive change towards a more sustainable future for fashion. The project involved an international partnership that facilitated the exchange of knowledge, cultures and approaches to sustainable fashion, enriching the participants’ experience and creating a broader network of supporters and activists. Establishing a constant monitoring and evaluation system was fundamental. This made it possible to assess the effectiveness of the activities carried out, make necessary adjustments and measure the project’s real impact on young people’s awareness and behaviours regarding fast fashion and sustainable fashion. The project also planned the creation of an online platform, which remained active even after the funding period ended. This allowed young people to continue sharing information, resources and ideas about sustainable fashion and to stay engaged in long-term change.

Project partners (3)