These are challenging times for the fashion industry: The latest McKinsey State of Fashion Report published in November 2024 finds that the fashion industry remains one of the most resource-intensive sectors globally, and it is responsible for more CO2 emissions than international aviation and shipping combined. It is responsible for up to 8% of global greenhouse gases and 20% of pesticide use. Furthermore, it accounts for one-fifth of industrial water pollution. Customers are buying 60% more clothing than they did 15 years ago – but they wear them for only half the time. According to McKinsey, less than 1% of textile materials are recycled. The report leaves the reader with the heavy image of a truckload of clothes being burned or discarded every second.

Systematic changes are imperative for a more sustainable fashion industry. Projects like FEA-VEE address these issues with a clear mission: to promote strategies and partnerships that favor the principles of the circular economy while reducing the industry’s environmental footprint. Providing professionals and students with the necessary skills for a greener future and reducing the environmental footprint of the fashion industry is a pivotal step in that direction, as are the collaboration with vocational training institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other stakeholders.

At the end of this busy year, it is worth looking back at what FEA-VEE has achieved in the past months:

• the creation of training materials for educators and trainers in the textile sector to foster skills in sustainability and innovation within the industry
• the implementation of a transnational cooperation platform that connects students and workers with training and internship opportunities across Europe, promoting mobility and the exchange of knowledge
• the launch of the FEA-VEE internship programs, providing 5 learners in each project country with the opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills in organizations dedicated to sustainable fashion

In 2025, we will realize the short-term mobility programs in Germany and Spain for students, offering them direct experiences and insights into sustainable best practices. Furthermore, FEA-VEE will connect its platform with the project SiT: Sustainability in TCLF, to increase its reach and to foster the creation of local development hubs for more innovation in Europe.

A call to Action!

The challenges in the fashion industry are clear but they also offer an important opportunity for transformation. FEA-VEE is not just a platform. It wants to be a catalyst for systemic change within the fashion industry, addressing systemic issues and fostering collaboration, and paving the way for a more responsible future. Because the time to act is now.