Sustainable Fashion Startups

<< Background >>We applied for this project to address critical sustainability challenges within fashion industry, which is second-largest polluter globally. Exponential increase in garment production - 80 billion units each year - illustrates a severe overconsumption issue, with only a small fraction of clothing being worn or recycled. This wastefulness underscores a pressing need for environmental and social responsibility among fashion producers and consumers.By targeting disadvantaged populations, particularly in Eastern Latvia and Southern Italy, we recognized the necessity to empower individuals who face job insecurity. They often lack training and resources to engage with sustainable practices effectively. We created educational opportunities that provide knowledge about sustainable fashion equipping participants with the skills needed to develop their entrepreneurial ventures. We created a paradigm shift from a disposable culture to one that values longevity and sustainability, thereby fostering economic opportunities and improving environmental outcomes. We contributed to both communities and broader fashion ecosystem by providing an opportunity to enlarge their network, to share their own experience, seizing new opportunities.<< Objectives >>The STARS project aims to support sustainable fashion start-ups in disadvantaged areas in the North-East Latvia and in the South of Italy through the engagement of vulnerable groups.The project fostered a more sustainable approach to business initiatives related to the fashion system and, at the same time, a long-term working integration of disadvantaged segments of population.<< Implementation >>Through the project the partners implemented two training programmes in Latvia and Italy about sustainable fashion and innovative business ideas, including online and offline training activities, theoretical and practical lessons, indoor and outdoor activities; online tutoring/mentoring; international academy in Italy and independent project works, involving aspirant entrepreneurs with disadvantaged economic or social background.Activity 1 - Project Management and administrationActivity 2 - Courses in Latvia & ItalyActivity 3 - International AcademyActivity 4 - Awareness Campaign<< Results >>- 8 partners meetings organised to monitor project.- Courses in Latvia & Italy: total 85 h 23 min of training.2 training courses implemented in Latvia 34h and in Italy 31h. 13 audio podcasts - 11 h 42 min10 video webinars - 8 h 41 minTraining activities involved total 186 participants (164 faced geographic barriers, more than 87%), others faced discrimination problems (5 participants), social barriers (5), health problems (4), cultural differences (5), economic barriers (9).-1 International Academy held in Lecce, Italy October 21-23, 2024, with 11 participants (5 from Italy, 6 from Latvia) who engaged in 2 masterclasses, 2 field visits, and 2 workshops. -Through online mentoring 18 participants strengthen their project design and development skills. Each group received 6 hours of sessions. -With 16 hours of dedicated work per participant, 3 project ideas: 2 in Italy and 1 in Latvia co-desgined.-Awareness Campaign: 54 posts published on LinkedIn and 62 on Instagram.Instagram garnered 75 followers, over 3189 impressions, and 865 reactions.LinkedIn page reached 24 followers, with 178 reactions and total 2,430 impressions.YouTube channel gained 10 subscribers and 575 views.Activity achieved more than 7000 interaction.