The SiT International Bootcamp brings together the European textile ecosystem in Greece to promote sustainable solutions
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The SiT International Bootcamp brings together the European textile ecosystem in Greece to promote sustainable solutions

The European SiT – Sustainability in TCLF project held its international bootcamp on 26 and 27 May in Thessaloniki, Greece. This activity marked the closing stage of the pilot programme developed in Spain within the work package led by FPEmpresa and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona. The event brought together around 80 participants from the different countries involved in the project partnership, including companies, clusters, associations, Vocational Education and Training teachers, students, entrepreneurs and sector representatives.

The activity took place at WEHub in Thessaloniki, with organisational support from OECON Group, and revolved around three main themes: sustainability, digitalisation and entrepreneurship applied to the TCLF ecosystem, which includes the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sectors. The bootcamp combined collaborative work, idea development, proposal presentations and professional networking spaces among participants.

The first day began with a hybrid session broadcast via streaming, during which the work agenda, the SiT project and the composition of the international teams were presented. The hackathon then began, with five teams working on previously defined case studies through different stages: challenge definition, ideation, solution design, business model development and preparation of the final pitch.

Real challenges to transform the textile sector

During the hackathon, the teams addressed challenges linked to textile circularity and the reduction of environmental impact in different areas of the sector. One of the cases involved designing a circular system for sports kits, with the aim of reducing textile waste while maintaining brand identity, performance and commercial viability.

Another challenge focused on the sustainable management of hotel textiles, proposing solutions to reduce environmental footprint, comply with European regulations on textile waste and move towards models based on reuse, traceability, recycling and material recovery.

After the team work, participants presented their proposals to a jury in a hybrid session. Each team had a limited amount of time to defend its idea, explain the value of the proposed solution and receive the corresponding assessment, in a dynamic aimed at strengthening both entrepreneurial skills and the communication of sustainable projects.

The bootcamp continued on 27 May with a Patchwork Workshop, a practical activity in which participants worked with reused textiles and other available materials, using sewing machines and with the support of expert technicians. In parallel, a professional speed-dating session was held, linked to the fields of textiles, clothing, leather and footwear, with the aim of facilitating mutual knowledge and the creation of new connections among participants.

A winning proposal to respond to the sector’s challenges

The event also included the selection of the winning project, a proposal from Centro Integrado Donibane focused on the circular management of hotel textiles. The team presented a solution aimed at reducing the environmental impact generated by bed linen and other textile waste from the sector, combining the classification and monitoring of garments through artificial intelligence, the reuse and recycling of materials, and the development of a new sustainable fibre with a lower environmental impact.

According to Emilia María García Vera, representative of the winning team, “the project has allowed us to work on a real problem. We are not talking about distant ideas, but about solutions that are already necessary, because European regulations are moving towards models in which everything must be more recyclable and sustainable. For students, it is very important to discover new fibres and new textures, and to understand from the outset where the textile sector is heading.”

With this activity, the SiT project closes the Spanish pilot by strengthening the connection between Vocational Education and Training, companies and real challenges in the TCLF sector. The bootcamp made it possible to transfer the learning developed during the previous phases to an international collaborative working environment, consolidating an experience aimed at promoting more innovative and sustainable VET, closely connected to the green and digital transition.

SiT concludes Phase 3 in Spain with a training experience in the Italian fashion ecosystem
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SiT concludes Phase 3 in Spain with a training experience in the Italian fashion ecosystem

The European SiT project (Sustainability in TCLF) has completed Phase 3 in Spain, focused on Work-Based Learning, through the organisation of an international agenda in Italy aimed at Vocational Education and Training students and teachers from the professional field of Textiles, Clothing and Leather. This stage was once again coordinated by FPEmpresa and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona (CCIB), with the support and organisation of the Politecnico Calzaturiero in Vigonza, a leading institution in specialised technical training for the textile, footwear and leather goods sectors.

Following the completion of Phase 2 of the pilot programme in Spain, which focused on specialised training and the development of sustainable business plans, this third phase has made it possible to take a further step in connecting education and industry. The student mobility took place from 3 to 16 May 2026 and included a two-week face-to-face training programme in Italy.

During the first week, students worked on content related to knitwear, such as trends, materials, weaving techniques, machinery, printing, finishing and knitwear pattern-making. The second week focused on footwear and leather goods, covering aspects such as footwear construction, materials, prototyping, hand stitching, the manufacture of leather goods products and applied digitalisation.

In parallel, 12 teachers took part in a job shadowing stay from 3 to 9 May, aimed at gaining first-hand insight into the Italian Vocational Education and Training model and the relationship between training centres, companies and the industrial district. The programme included observation activities in knitwear, footwear and leather goods workshops, as well as content related to sustainability, transversal skills, 2D and 3D digital design tools — used to create and develop patterns, prototypes and products before manufacturing — and artificial intelligence applied to creativity.

An immersion in the Italian value chain

The experience combined training sessions, company visits and cultural activities linked to the productive identity of the region. During the first week, 15 students and 12 teachers took part in activities at the Politecnico Calzaturiero, visits to the Villa Foscarini Museum, Tessitura Bevilacqua and Mocenigo Palace, as well as to companies such as Henderson and OTS. The programme also included an event at Villa Pisani focused on the Riviera del Brenta and its relationship with design, beauty, culture and identity.

The second week, aimed at students, explored technical and sustainability-related content in greater depth through sessions on eco-design, sustainability, knitwear processes, footwear design and garment making. In addition, Villa Foscarini Rossi hosted a meeting on corporate sustainability, focused on eco-design, quality and durability as values within the Italian supply chain (ESG).

Thanks to this third phase of the project, students have been able to gain insight into real production processes, learn about different specialisations within the sector and understand how sustainability, digitalisation and innovation are transforming the textile, clothing, leather and footwear industries. For teachers, the mobility represented an opportunity to observe applied training methodologies and explore possible transfers to the Spanish educational context.

Although Phase 3 has now concluded in Spain, the SiT project remains active in other participating countries. In the Spanish case, this stage strengthens the pathway initiated through online training and the projects developed in previous phases, consolidating an approach that connects learning, business and the green and digital transition.

Finally, the Spanish pilot of Work Package 4 of the SiT project will culminate with the international bootcamp in Greece, linked to Phase 2 and held during the week of 25 May. This final activity will bring together the people selected within the pathway developed in Spain and will serve as the closing stage of the process promoted by FPEmpresa and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona.

FPEmpresa and CCIB complete Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT Project
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FPEmpresa and CCIB complete Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT Project

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa has completed in Spain Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT (Sustainability in TCLF) pilot programme, a new stage aimed at transferring the knowledge acquired during the initial online learning phase into real-life contexts.

This second phase has combined specialised training, active methodologies and project development linked to sustainability in the textile sector, consolidating the progress of the programme in Spain.

The SiT project is part of the Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation programme and brings together partners from different European countries with the aim of promoting new green, digital, functional and transversal skills in the TCLF sectors (textiles, clothing, leather and footwear). In Spain, FPEmpresa leads Work Package 4, focused on the design and development of the training pilot.

Following an initial phase centred on online learning through a specialised MOOC, Phase 2 was developed under the Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology, encouraging the practical application of knowledge through activities connected to the current challenges of the sector. The programme included three training seminars, one online and two face-to-face sessions held in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as a specific stage devoted to the development of sustainable business plans.

Three seminars connecting training and sustainability

The first session took place on 17 February in an online format under the title Circular Economy in the Textile Sector. It brought together 46 participants, including teachers, students and representatives of associated centres. The lecture, delivered by Paloma G. López, explored the evolution of the circular economy applied to the textile sector, eco-design in fashion and European sustainability regulations, while also presenting real examples of business innovation.

The second event was held on 13 March at IES Leonardo Da Vinci in Madrid and was attended by 103 people. The session, Textile Waste Management with Social and Environmental Impact, was led by Ana Gómez, who analysed the main challenges and opportunities in textile waste management, highlighting the role of the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) and the importance of the social and solidarity economy as a generator of employment and inclusion.

The phase concluded on 14 April at Institut Anna Gironella de Mundet in Barcelona, also in a hybrid format, with the seminar The Textile Industry and the EU Green Transition: Regulation, Innovation and New Business Models. The event gathered 50 in-person attendees and 25 online participants, and provided an opportunity to explore issues such as the circular economy, eco-design, the new European regulatory framework and the opportunities arising from the sustainable transition.

Overall, the three seminars delivered during Phase 2 attracted a total of 224 participants, reflecting the strong interest generated by this specialised training initiative focused on sustainability in the TCLF sector.

In addition to the specialised training, Phase 2 also included an entrepreneurial dimension through the development of business plans linked to the TCLF sector. A total of seven proposals were submitted, allowing students and participants to work on skills such as creativity, market analysis, innovation, sustainability, problem-solving and business vision, applying the project content to ideas with real growth potential.

With the completion of this stage, the project now moves forward towards new international experiences. Selected participants will take part in a bootcamp in Greece, while the programme will later continue with a Phase 3 focused on Work-Based Learning (WBL), including mobility activities in Italy aimed at company placements and professional shadowing opportunities for teachers.

FPEmpresa and CCIB complete Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT Project
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FPEmpresa and CCIB complete Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT Project

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa has completed in Spain Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT (Sustainability in TCLF) pilot programme, a new stage aimed at transferring the knowledge acquired during the initial online learning phase into real-life contexts.

This second phase has combined specialised training, active methodologies and project development linked to sustainability in the textile sector, consolidating the progress of the programme in Spain.

The SiT project is part of the Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation programme and brings together partners from different European countries with the aim of promoting new green, digital, functional and transversal skills in the TCLF sectors (textiles, clothing, leather and footwear). In Spain, FPEmpresa leads Work Package 4, focused on the design and development of the training pilot.

Following an initial phase centred on online learning through a specialised MOOC, Phase 2 was developed under the Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology, encouraging the practical application of knowledge through activities connected to the current challenges of the sector. The programme included three training seminars, one online and two face-to-face sessions held in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as a specific stage devoted to the development of sustainable business plans.

Three seminars connecting training and sustainability

The first session took place on 17 February in an online format under the title Circular Economy in the Textile Sector. It brought together 46 participants, including teachers, students and representatives of associated centres. The lecture, delivered by Paloma G. López, explored the evolution of the circular economy applied to the textile sector, eco-design in fashion and European sustainability regulations, while also presenting real examples of business innovation.

The second event was held on 13 March at IES Leonardo Da Vinci in Madrid and was attended by 103 people. The session, Textile Waste Management with Social and Environmental Impact, was led by Ana Gómez, who analysed the main challenges and opportunities in textile waste management, highlighting the role of the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) and the importance of the social and solidarity economy as a generator of employment and inclusion.

The phase concluded on 14 April at Institut Anna Gironella de Mundet in Barcelona, also in a hybrid format, with the seminar The Textile Industry and the EU Green Transition: Regulation, Innovation and New Business Models. The event gathered 50 in-person attendees and 25 online participants, and provided an opportunity to explore issues such as the circular economy, eco-design, the new European regulatory framework and the opportunities arising from the sustainable transition.

Overall, the three seminars delivered during Phase 2 attracted a total of 224 participants, reflecting the strong interest generated by this specialised training initiative focused on sustainability in the TCLF sector.

In addition to the specialised training, Phase 2 also included an entrepreneurial dimension through the development of business plans linked to the TCLF sector. A total of seven proposals were submitted, allowing students and participants to work on skills such as creativity, market analysis, innovation, sustainability, problem-solving and business vision, applying the project content to ideas with real growth potential.

With the completion of this stage, the project now moves forward towards new international experiences. Selected participants will take part in a bootcamp in Greece, while the programme will later continue with a Phase 3 focused on Work-Based Learning (WBL), including mobility activities in Italy aimed at company placements and professional shadowing opportunities for teachers.

FPEmpresa Hosts the Second Meeting of the SiT Project in Madrid
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FPEmpresa Hosts the Second Meeting of the SiT Project in Madrid

The Asociación de Centros de Formación Profesional FPEmpresa has hosted members of the SiT Project (Sustainability in TCLF) in Madrid on November 13 and 14 of 2024, for the second project meeting. The IES Leonardo Da Vinci, an FPEmpresa-affiliated VET center, has served as the venue for this European meeting, where attendees observed the work of students specializing in Textile, Clothing and Leather studies, as well as their workshops featuring dyeing and fiber production machinery. Elena Argudo, Project Director at the Association, has emphasized “the importance of hosting the visit at a member center with such a rich history and commitment to international initiatives as IES Leonardo Da Vinci.”

Progress Updates and Achievements

During the sessions, project partners have provided updates on various work packages and the current status of each. Specifically, it was announced that the project successfully has secured 147 organizations as signatories to the Knowledge Triangle Agreement, aiming to foster effective collaboration between educational institutions, businesses and research centers—a cornerstone of the SiT project.

Additionally, it was revealed that over 625 companies and 90 vocational training centers has participated in a survey to identify the skills gap and training needs of vocational students in the textile sector. The survey results has highlighted two emerging professions, which will be the focus of new training curricula within the project. These professions, Biotextiles Technician and Waste Manager, are projected to play a crucial role in driving the ecological transformation of the industry.

Next Steps in the SiT Project

A significant part of the program has focused on upcoming actions within the SiT project. This November marks the start of Work Package 3, which will focus on curriculum and module development, as well as the creation of a network for certification, validation, recognition and accreditation of the training programs. The goal of these materials is to implement a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) to enhance accessibility and impact within the textile sector. The MOOC is set to be developed throughout the coming year.

In addition, attendees has enjoyed an English-language tour of Madrid, led by VET students in Tourism Guidance, Information and Assistance from the Madrid School of Hospitality and Tourism as part of their practical training.

About the SiT Project

This initiative, coordinated by ITKAM – Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany, is part of the Erasmus+ funding program Alliance for Innovation and will run until January 31, 2027. The SiT project involves 15 partners from 8 European Union countries: Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia and Slovakia.

The project’s objectives include promoting innovation in education, training and the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sectors. It focuses on the potential of the green transition and developing new training modules in educational institutions to address gaps in green skills.

FPEmpresa travels to Leipzig to launch the SiT project focused on sustainability and innovation in the textile industry
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FPEmpresa travels to Leipzig to launch the SiT project focused on sustainability and innovation in the textile industry

The Association of Vocational Training Centres FPEmpresa maintains its commitment to internationalisation. FPEmpresa has attended the first face-to-face meeting of the European project SiT – Sustainability in TCLF on 21-22th of February of 2024 at the premises of IHK Leipzig (Germany).

This initiative, coordinated by ITKAM – Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany, is part of the Erasmus+ Innovation Alliance funding programme and will run until 31 January 2027. In addition, the SiT project involves 15 partners from 8 European Union (EU) countries: Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovakia.

One of its objectives is to promote innovation in education, training and the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sector. Therefore, the European project focuses on the potential of the green transition and the development of new training modules in educational institutions to address green skills gaps.

European companies in the textile sector require technical profiles with digital and green skills

In the first part of the meeting, the project participants presented their roles and the activities they carry out in each entity they represent. Afterwards, an analysis of the green skills required by companies in the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sector was carried out, together with a study of emerging professions with advanced knowledge in sustainability. In addition, ITKAM presented the administrative management of the SiT project and explained how the European partners should carry out the implementation of the project.

FPEmpresa explained its role in the European project. The Association will be in charge of Work Package 4, which involves the development of a MOOC focused on promoting the acquisition of various functional, transversal, digital and green competences. This MOOC aims to enhance the development of students and professionals in the textile sector. Furthermore, FPEmpresa has detailed the initial process that will be followed to implement the MOOC, as well as the informative aspects related to the training, such as the access process, duration and content, among others.

During the second part of the meeting, the other partners presented their contributions to the SiT project, while the Chamber of Commerce of Padua shared the dissemination and communication plan of the work. At the end of the session, several meetings have been scheduled to discuss the next activities of the project, in order to meet the implementation objectives of the European SiT project.