1

Why the project matters

According to the European Environmental Agency, the textile and fashion industry is the sector with the fourth highest negative life cycle impact, the third highest impact on water & land use and the fifth highest in terms of raw material use & greenhouse gas emissions. This impact occurs in every phase of the value chain, from the production of fibres to the final waste management, but there is a critical phase that determines all the later impact: the design phase.
Adding to that, on the EU side, 70% of its textile consumption is imported & 80% of its environmental impact takes place outside Europe, the gas emissions during transport being a big percentage. Thus, bringing production closer to final consumption is key to reducing European textile sector’s CO2 emissions. Considering the above, it becomes strategic to develop a proximity Mediterranean value chain adapted to EU & MPC regulations.

2

What it aims to achieve

• To rethink the fashion design process in the Mediterranean by integrating innovative technologies and shifting from linear to circular production models.
• To build a regional value chain by strengthening the knowledge, skills, and collaboration of Mediterranean fashion SMEs, aligning them with EU circularity standards and market expectations.

3

Expected change

• Enhanced capacities of SMEs to adopt circular design and production practices.
• Improved cooperation between innovation hubs, SMEs, and solution providers across the region.
• Increased production of circular fashion products aligned with EU and Mediterranean sustainability goals.

4

What the project delivers

• Circular Fashion Design Toolbox and database of circular materials and fibres.
• MATRIX e-learning platform and 2 specialized training programmes for SMEs.
• 3 pilot actions involving 90 SMEs: digital eco-design, impact measurement, ecolabelling.
• Transnational study visits and peer-review missions in Spain and Tunisia.
• Mediterranean matchmaking event connecting 40 SMEs and 15 solution providers in Türkiye.
• Mediterranean Pact for Circular Fashion involving 130 agents to sustain project impact.

5

Who benefits

• 200 SMEs trained in circular design and production methods via MATRIX platform.
• 90 SMEs engaged in pilots, transforming their practices using digital tools and ecolabels.
• 40 SMEs participating in matchmaking to meet providers of circular solutions.
• 15 public authorities involved in developing the Mediterranean Pact for Circularity.
• 15+ solution providers (start-ups, tech centres) gaining market access through Toolbox and events.
• General consumers, who will benefit from increased availability of eco-designed, sustainable fashion products.