The Catalan Fashion Cluster MODACC participates in three major European projects in 2024

The Catalan Fashion Cluster (Modacc) begins the year 2024 by participating in three large European projects related to the world of fashion, thanks to the financing of almost €892,683 obtained from European Union funds.

The three initiatives are, firstly, the Transitions project, which aims to rethink the training system of professional and higher education in the field of design professionals; the Fashion Forward project focused on new European legislative changes regarding textile waste management; and the CRAFT-IT 4SD (Craft revitalization Action for future-proofing the transition to innovative technologies for sustainable development) which will help the transition towards the circular economy in companies and artisans in the design industries sector of European territories rich in cultural heritage and textile tradition. These initiatives position the Catalan Fashion cluster as one of the key European agents in relation to the knowledge and tools necessary to support the sustainable transformation of the fashion industry.

Beyond these three European projects, the Catalan Fashion Cluster plans to participate in more than 20 national projects, among which the Postex project stands out, which plans to mobilize a new circular textile chain in Catalonia, several pilot projects of experimentation with intelligence artificial applied to the design of fashion products or experimentation with technologies to implement the future Digital Product Passport.

For this year 2024, Modacc plans to continue betting on the transformation of the sector in terms of sustainability, continue promoting business opportunities through international scale and also plans to make a big commitment to promoting innovation in Catalan fashion through collaborations with other creative sectors, emerging technology companies and knowledge centers, focusing on digital transformation and the promotion of innovative projects that redefine the way fashion is conceived and experienced. In this sense, David Garcia, director of the Modacc Cluster, states: "We are in a moment of exciting transformation. The new European regulations will promote a more sustainable fashion sector and digitalization a more competitive sector. The two aspects combined will facilitate the emergence of new business models and new forms of relationship with the consumer".

Modacc's social mass is growing

Taking into account the new associates that joined the cluster last 2023 and the new companies that have registered in these first months of the year, Modacc currently has almost 150 associated companies from the entire value chain of the Fashion industry. Among the new additions, the brands Bohodot, BCome, Paloma Wool, Rita Row, Wouf, All that she loves and Inèdit, among others, stand out.

This year, the Cluster has added a special quota for emerging companies among its services. Through this initiative, Modacc seeks to promote the growth of new companies in the sector and offer them support through the different tools available to the Cluster. The Barcelona workshop Natalie Capell is an example of an emerging company associated with Modacc.

The TRANSITIONS project

The project, which is part of the European ERASMUS+ program, is led by the Elisava faculty of design and engineering, in collaboration with clusters and educational entities in Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands, will revolutionize the way future design professionals are trained. , since the educational system will fully adapt to the changing demands of the economy and the fashion industry.

The project consists of developing a new learning methodology and an innovative curriculum that integrate theory with practice, promoting shared learning between professionals and students. Through the so-called TRANSITION LABS that will be carried out in each of the participating countries during the months of February and March, key challenges will be addressed such as "design for disassembly", the transition towards sustainable and circular materials, and the reduction of waste, with the aim of promoting sustainability in the design industry.

Fashion Forward

El proyecto, liderado por MODACC, tiene un triple objetivo: transformar los sectores textiles en un modelo circular y sostenible, adaptarse a los nuevos cambios legislativos europeos en gestión de residuos y promover el uso de materiales reciclados en las colecciones de moda.

Fashion Forward cuenta con la participación activa de asociaciones empresariales, entidades públicas y empresas privadas de Cataluña, Galicia, Norte de Portugal y Sur de Francia. Desde la organización se proporcionará asistencia a las empresas en la adaptación a las nuevas regulaciones, se brindará orientación y apoyo para cumplir con los requisitos legales y se facilitará la adopción de prácticas más sostenibles. Además, se sensibilizará a los ciudadanos sobre la importancia de un consumo responsable en la moda y una gestión adecuada de los residuos post consumo. El proyecto guiará a las administraciones públicas en la comunicación efectiva de las nuevas regulaciones, asegurando que la información llegue de manera clara y directa a los públicos clave. Entre las acciones planificadas se incluyen actividades lúdicas en las escuelas para fomentar la conciencia ambiental desde temprana edad, campañas publicitarias dirigidas a la ciudadanía en general y proyectos piloto en empresas que impulsen la implementación de tecnologías para el reciclaje y la gestión de residuos, así como la adopción de prácticas productivas más sostenibles.

CRAFT-IT 4SD (Craft revitalization Action for future-proofing the transition to innovative tecnologies for sustainable development)

Este proyecto innovador tiene como objetivo principal promover la transición hacia la economía circular en las industrias del diseño europeas, fusionando técnicas artesanales tradicionales con tecnologías digitales emergentes. A través de pilotos en diversos países europeos, CRAFT-IT4SD facilitará la co-creación entre artesanos, diseñadores y empresas, impulsando así la innovación y la sostenibilidad en el sector.

La Universidad de Aarhus en Dinamarca lidera el proyecto CRAFT-IT4SD, financiado por HORIZON EUROPE, y cuenta con la participación de universidades y clústeres de Dinamarca, Finlandia, Suecia, Rumanía, Holanda, Alemania y Cataluña.