The Interreg NEXT MED project MEDinCHAMBERS will bring Mediterranean textile businesses and stakeholders together in Tunisia from 22 to 24 October 2026 for a three-day programme designed to strengthen green and digital skills, encourage innovation and create new opportunities for cross-border cooperation.

Taking place in Sousse and Monastir and organised by the Tunisian-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CTICI), the initiative will combine an interactive Living Lab, practical training, matchmaking opportunities and company visits to support the green and digital transition of the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sector.

Building on the project’s previous green-transition training activities in Türkiye and the Barcelona Bootcamp, the Tunisia programme will offer participants further opportunities to turn knowledge into practical solutions, explore digital tools and exchange experiences with local businesses and industry stakeholders.

Through this initiative, MEDinCHAMBERS aims to strengthen the capacity of Mediterranean micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to address sustainability challenges, adapt to evolving market requirements and adopt more innovative and competitive business models. By connecting businesses, Chambers of Commerce and other sector stakeholders, the project also seeks to foster lasting collaboration and knowledge exchange across Mediterranean textile value chains.

The first day will focus on exploring the Tunisian textile industry through participation in an international trade fair and a company study visit.

The programme will include:

• A visit to INTERTEX International Fair (10:00–13:00), offering participants the opportunity to discover companies, explore sector developments and establish connections with industry representatives.
• A networking lunch at the CTICI exhibition booth.
• A study visit to SITEX (15:00–17:00), including a company presentation and an opportunity to gain first-hand insights into its activities.

These activities will promote exchanges between businesses and stakeholders, encouraging knowledge transfer and the identification of potential cooperation opportunities across the Mediterranean textile sector.

The second day will take place at MFC Pole in Monastir, from 08:30 to 16:30, and will be dedicated to an interactive Living Lab designed to strengthen participants’ capacity to apply sustainability principles and digital solutions to real business challenges.

The programme will include:

• An introduction to MFC Pole and a review of insights from previous project focus groups and training activities.
• A presentation of the MEDinCHAMBERS Knowledge Hub and Digital Detector, highlighting digital resources developed to support businesses and stakeholders.
• An introduction to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and the Digital Product Passport (DPP), exploring their relevance for textile businesses.
• An interactive co-creation workshop in which participants will collaboratively develop a Digital Product Passport through a practical game.
• A presentation and evaluation of the workshop results, alongside the creation of a shared wall of best practices.
• Startup pitches showcasing entrepreneurial initiatives and innovative approaches.

The Living Lab will provide a collaborative environment where participants can translate sustainability knowledge into practical approaches, explore the potential of digital solutions and share experiences that can support businesses in their transition towards greener and more competitive models.

By bringing together different perspectives and expertise, the session will contribute to MEDinCHAMBERS’ ambition to develop and promote practical support tools, strengthen business capabilities and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices across Mediterranean textile value chains.

The final day will be dedicated to a study visit to SARTEX (09:00–12:00), a textile company in Tunisia.

The visit will include a company presentation, offering participants an opportunity to learn about its activities and exchange experiences with industry representatives.

This final session will connect the knowledge and collaborative learning developed during the Living Lab with real business environments, encouraging further dialogue, knowledge transfer and potential partnerships.

The initiative represents a further step towards the project’s broader goal of helping textile businesses access shared knowledge, practical tools and cooperation opportunities that can contribute to a more sustainable, innovative and competitive Mediterranean textile ecosystem.

A social dinner will also take place on 21 October 2026 at PUMO Restaurant, Mövenpick Hotel in Sousse, offering participants an additional opportunity to meet and connect before the official programme begins.

Save the date: Sousse and Monastir, Tunisia, 22–24 October 2026.

For more information, find the full agenda of the event here.