The R.E.W.E.A.R. (Recycle, Empower, Wasteless, Exchange, Act & Renew) project was conceived in response to a growing and interconnected set of environmental, social, and educational challenges faced by young people across Europe, particularly in relation to fast fashion, overconsumption, and limited access to practical sustainability education. Identified issues and needs One of the most pressing issues addressed by this project is the environmental impact of the fast fashion industry. Textile production and waste are among the most polluting practices globally, yet many young people remain insufficiently informed about the ecological footprint of clothing, including excessive water use, chemical pollution, unethical labour practices, and the rapid accumulation of textile waste. Clothing is often perceived as disposable, reinforcing unsustainable consumption habits from an early age. Fast fashion and textile consumption create significant environmental and waste challenges across Europe. In 2022, EU Member States generated about 6.94 million tonnes of textile waste, equating to roughly 16 kg per person, with approximately 85 % of textiles not collected separately for recycling or reuse but ending up in mixed household waste, landfills, or incineration. Only a small fraction of used clothes are recycled into new garments, and between 4 % and 9 % of textiles placed on the European market are destroyed before ever being used (https://tinyurl.com/4udsh4z6). These patterns reflect systemic issues linked to fast fashion’s high production and disposal rates, short garment lifespans, and limited circular practices — underlining the need for targeted education, skills-building, and behavioural change among young people in participating countries. At the same time, although awareness around sustainability is increasing, young people often lack accessible and affordable alternatives. Sustainable fashion brands remain financially out of reach for many, especially for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. This creates a gap between environmental awareness and actual behaviour change. Without practical, low-cost solutions such as repairing, upcycling, swapping, and reusing clothes, sustainability remains a theoretical concept rather than a lived practice. Another key need identified by both partner organisations and young people themselves is the lack of hands-on, creative, and non-formal learning opportunities. Many young people are interested in fashion, design, and creative industries but face barriers such as limited access to training, mentorship, international mobility, and exposure to sustainable practices. Formal education often fails to provide experiential learning that combines creativity, environmental responsibility, and employability skills. Additionally, there is a growing social need for community, belonging, and youth participation, particularly in a post-pandemic and digitally saturated context. Young people express a desire to connect with peers, engage in meaningful collective action, and feel empowered as contributors to societal change rather than passive consumers. Cultural and creative activities, when combined with European mobility and intercultural exchange, provide a powerful environment to foster this sense of belonging and shared responsibility. From an organisational perspective, partner organisations identified a need to strengthen youth-led cultural and environmental initiatives, expand their capacity to work in creative fields, and deepen cross-border cooperation within Europe. There is also a need to experiment with innovative methodologies that combine sustainability, creativity, and youth empowerment. Project goal: To strengthen sustainable habits and circular thinking among 40 young people aged 17–25 by engaging them in hands-on sustainable fashion practices during a youth exchange taking place from 1–9 February 2027, while fostering intercultural learning and youth participation. Project objectives: 1) To increase young people’s understanding of the environmental and social impact of fast fashion, with a specific focus on textile waste, overconsumption, and the lifecycle of clothing in Europe. 2) To equip participants with practical, low-cost skills such as clothing repair, upcycling, and reuse, enabling them to apply sustainable fashion practices in their daily lives regardless of financial background. 3) To use fashion as a tool for creative expression and youth empowerment, encouraging participants to see sustainability not as a restriction but as an opportunity for innovation, self-expression, and potential future pathways. 4) To foster intercultural exchange and community building, strengthening European cooperation and encouraging participants to transfer sustainable practices to their local communities after the exchange.