Highlights from the VERDEinMED Final Conference
The VERDEinMED Final Conference marked the culmination of the Interreg Euro-MED VERDEinMED project, bringing together policymakers, researchers, companies, innovation projects, and civil society organisations to discuss the future of sustainable and circular textiles in the Mediterranean region. The event provided a platform to present the project’s key results while facilitating dialogue among European initiatives working on textile sustainability, circular economy solutions, digital innovation, and policy frameworks. The conference highlighted that the transformation of the textile sector requires coordinated action across the entire value chain, combining scientific knowledge, business support, policy instruments, technological innovation and consumer engagement.
Sixty-one participants attended the conference, representing a broad range of stakeholders involved in the textile ecosystem and the circular economy transition, including:
- textile and fashion companies, including SMEs and manufacturers
- research institutions and universities
- public authorities and policymakers
- chambers of commerce, innovation clusters and platforms
- European cooperation projects
- civil society organizations and consumer groups.
This diverse participation enabled dialogue across the entire textile value chain, from research and policy development to industrial implementation and consumer behaviour.
The opening presentation focused on the Innovative Sustainable Economy (ISE) Mission under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme.
Haris Paliogiannis from MIO-ECSDE highlighted the role of governance initiatives in connecting thematic projects and facilitating the transfer and reuse of knowledge across Mediterranean territories. The ISE Community of Practice currently brings together 231 partners from 18 countries, representing public authorities, academia, private sector organizations and civil society. The initiative aims to ensure that project results translate into practical policy solutions and long-term cooperation across the region.
View the full presentation: Innovative Sustainable Economy Mission
A first workshop, From Evidence to Action: Knowledge Transfer for Sustainable Textiles, followed the opening session.
Viktor Kouloumpis, in his presentation Sustainability of Textiles and EU policy, discussed the role of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in developing scientific tools that support EU textile policy. Methodologies such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) help evaluate environmental impacts across the entire life cycle of textile products. These tools are increasingly used to inform policy initiatives such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP), which aim to improve transparency and sustainability across supply chains.
View the full presentation: Sustainability of Textiles and EU policy
Tilla Kross focused on collaboration across innovation ecosystems by introducing the ECOSYSTEX Community of Practice, which connects EU-funded textile innovation projects. By facilitating collaboration between research institutions, industry actors and policymakers, the initiative helps accelerate the translation of research results into practical solutions.
View the full presentation: Accelerating collaboration for textile circularity through the ECOSYSTEX Community
Iro Kofokotsiou focused on scaling sustainable innovations by presenting the work of Fashion for Good, an innovation platform supporting the development and scaling of sustainable textile technologies.
View the full presentation: From validation to scale: Building systems for sustainable textile innovation
A key challenge identified during the first workshop session was the gap between pilot-stage innovation and large-scale market adoption. Scaling circular textile solutions requires infrastructure investment, policy support and stronger collaboration across the value chain.
The second workshop was dedicated to presenting the main outcomes of the VERDEinMED project, focusing in particular on business support services and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
Sofia Plakantonaki introduced the project’s objectives and achievements. VERDEinMED aims to reduce textile waste and promote circular economy practices across the Mediterranean region. The project developed several tools supporting the textile ecosystem, including a Knowledge Platform, regional VERDE hubs and a Technical Assistance Service (TAS) for companies.
View the full presentation: Key insights from VERDEinMED project – General Overview
Diego Mattioli presented the results of the Technical Assistance Service (TAS) mentoring programme. The initiative provided tailored support for textile SMEs, helping companies measure environmental performance, develop circular business models and prepare for new regulatory requirements. Participating companies developed sustainability roadmaps and pilot initiatives, demonstrating the value of targeted mentoring in supporting SMEs during sustainability transitions.
View the full presentation: Key insights from VERDEinMED business support service & consumer engagement – Results of the Technical Assistance Service
Brigida Stanziola presented VERDEinMED’s consumer engagement activities, including communication campaigns and Living Lab workshops. These initiatives highlighted the importance of improving consumer awareness regarding textile waste and promoting more sustainable consumption patterns.
View the full presentation: Sew up a new consumer awareness of the real cost of fashion
A first roundtable focusing on the Results and Impacts of the VERDEinMED project followed the two previous workshops, bringing together participants involved in technical assistance processes during the project, including both mentors and beneficiary companies. Among the participants were Clara Mallart Lacruz (Moethika), who supported as a mentor the development of an impact-driven business model in a textile dyeing company using sustainable plant-based dyes; Daniela Zavec (Titera Innovative Technologies) who supported as a mentor a company operating on recycling and reuse of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Villy Charitopoulou representing the beneficiary company AXION COTTON, focused on recycling and reuse of PPE; Sara Garcia Rojas representing Mayoral Group, which benefited from technical assistance in developing a decarbonization strategy; and Marco Cardinalini, from the beneficiary company Cardinalini & C. Spa, received technical assistance on data-driven environmental sustainability.
The roundtable was structured around two pillars. The first addressed the Challenges of the Textile System, identifying critical technological and regulatory hurdles and their practical implications. Stakeholders noted that transitioning to a circular textile system is hindered by gaps between logistics and consumer behaviour, difficulties in leveraging available data, and the need for supply chain traceability. Flexibility and sustained financial investment in research and innovation are essential to overcome these challenges. The second explored Barriers and Opportunities, focusing on how circular principles can become strategic advantages. To turn constraints into opportunities, participants emphasized the need for a robust legislative framework and strategies such as promoting “buying less,” redesigning supply chains to integrate cleaning and repair, establishing PPE reuse protocols, and implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to incentivize both companies and consumers. Key reflections included the role of professional mentoring, organizational changes, long-term benefits from innovation and reputation, and the scalability of applied solutions.
A second roundtable, focusing on Synergies Across the Textile Value Chain, followed. The session highlighted several European initiatives addressing different aspects of the textile sustainability transition.
Amela Ikic Suljagic (SERDA) presented the Green-Tex project, which promotes sustainable textile production and waste management through cross-border collaboration and pilot actions.
View the full presentation: Green-Tex – circular innovation and waste management
Manolis Tsantakis (ena Development Consultants) introduced the TRUSTex project, which explores Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and blockchain-based Digital Product Passports to improve supply chain transparency.
View the full presentation: TRUSTex – digital traceability and policy tools
Katarina Momcilovic Matic (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia) presented the AEQUALIS4TCLF project, which develops vocational training programmes and micro-credentials for the textile, clothing, leather and footwear industries.
View the full presentation: AEQUALIS4TCLF – skills for the green transition
Cumhur Isbirakmaz presented the TechStyle project, which integrates artificial intelligence into textile education and training through digital learning platforms.
View the full presentation: TechStyle – AI and digital education for textiles
Valentina Oliviero (CUEIM) presented the MEDinCHAMBERS project, which strengthens the role of chambers of commerce in supporting textile SMEs through sustainability assessment, training activities and innovation hubs and living labs.
View the full presentation: MEDinCHAMBERS – Supporting SMEs and innovation ecosystems
Dora Paschali (Regional Association of Solid Waste Management Agencies of Central Macedonia) introduced the REP.per project, which promotes repair networks and community initiatives aimed at extending product lifetimes and reducing textile waste.
View the full presentation: REPper – repair and circular communities
The discussion following the presentations concluded that transforming the textile sector requires real-time systems and market-ready technical solutions, particularly in circular design, advanced sorting, and high-efficiency recycling. Participants highlighted that the transition is currently hindered by a “skills gap” in green competencies and AI, alongside a lack of vocational training and repair infrastructure. Strengthening chambers of commerce can foster a broader mindset change, while a unified approach to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes is needed to streamline waste collection and reuse. Leveraging digital platforms and collaborative networks like ECOSYSTEX can disseminate project outcomes, foster material alliances, and ensure circular innovations are scaled across the value chain.
A third workshop followed, focusing on public procurement for sustainable and circular textiles.
Edwin Maes (Centexbel) presented how public procurement can drive demand for sustainable textile products. Public authorities purchase large volumes of textiles, including uniforms and workwear. By integrating sustainability criteria into procurement processes, public buyers can stimulate innovation and support circular business models. Edwin Maes emphasized the importance of clear procurement specifications, credible sustainability claims and the use of Total Cost of Ownership when evaluating bids.
View the full presentation: Public procurement for sustainable and circular textiles
Closing the conference, Chrysovalantis Ketikidis (CERTH), Project Coordinator of VERDEinMED, summarized the main takeaways from the event. He highlighted that the initiative has successfully fostered collaboration among research, industry, policymakers, and civil society to address textile sustainability challenges in the Mediterranean. The sessions demonstrated the importance of linking innovation, policy frameworks, and practical implementation, from sustainability metrics and technological solutions to mentoring services for SMEs and circular procurement strategies. He concluded by emphasizing that the progress achieved through VERDEinMED provides a foundation for ongoing cooperation and knowledge exchange, supporting long-term impact and the broader transition toward a circular textile economy.
After the conference, participants visited Colora S.A., a textile dyeing, printing, and finishing company founded in 1926 in Thessaloniki. The visit provided first-hand insight into the company’s production processes, its role in the textile value chain, and how innovation, combined with a skilled workforce, contributes to high-quality fabric manufacturing for international fashion markets.
