On March 28, within the framework of the European project Fashion Forward, CITEVE actively participated in the 3rd Municipal Eco-Schools Meeting, an initiative promoted by the Municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão, the Portuguese city with the highest number of recognized Eco-Schools and also a partner of the project. The event gathered more than 1,500 participants from 79 educational institutions, reinforcing its role as a key platform for environmental education.
Fashion Forward: towards a circular and conscious fashion system
The Fashion Forward project, co-financed by the Interreg Sudoe programme, aims to accelerate the transition of the textile sector towards a circular economy, emphasizing eco-innovation, sustainability and regeneration. With a multidisciplinary approach that combines technology, design, industry and education, the project seeks to transform how we produce, consume and recycle textile products.
One of its main pillars is social awareness, with a strong emphasis on early education. CITEVE’s participation in this educational event highlights the project’s commitment to fostering a more sustainable textile culture from the earliest stages of life.
Creative workshop inspires environmental awareness through reuse
During the event, CITEVE led a creative textile reuse workshop where preschool and primary school children created miniature garment patterns using recycled materials and natural dyes. The activity provided a fun and hands-on introduction to circular economy principles, emphasizing the importance of extending textile life and minimizing waste.
Designed to be engaging and age-appropriate, the workshop combined creativity, play and learning, laying the groundwork for more conscious consumption habits.
Education and community working together for a regenerative fashion future
The 3rd Eco-Schools Meeting was more than just an event: it was a moment of intergenerational connection, knowledge sharing, and community involvement. CITEVE’s presence on behalf of the Fashion Forward project strengthened the link between the educational world and the innovative textile industry, showing how education can act as a powerful driver of change in production and consumption models.
Fashion Forward continues to implement sustainable solutions across Southwestern Europe, with partners from Spain, France and Portugal. The initiative in Famalicão stands as a tangible example of the positive impact achieved by uniting education, technology and social responsibility.
