Fashion & Food synergy for sustainability
Researching sustainability trends affecting the fashion and food industry
Fashion & Food Synergy for Sustainability is a project funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ KA2 program, which brings together a consortium of international collaboration between entities from six countries. Its objective is to strengthen university education in the fashion and food sectors, with a key focus on sustainability.
Its purpose is to increase university education in the sustainability sector, in relation to fashion and food, trying to raise awareness among the population. Not only are these two sectors discussed, but they are also compared with other sectors, promoting useful synergies for a change towards sustainability.
Fashion and food are two sectors that are overexploited, show many barriers and are therefore directly involved in the joint search for solutions. Through research and training, this project aims to help to better understand the orientation towards sustainability in a business way and to train professionals prepared to face challenges such as circular economy or sustainability communication.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. The project page (and subpages) reflects the views only of the author. The Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
The project seeks to update and expand the competencies of university students in bachelor's and master's degrees, adapting them to the current and future needs of the fashion and food sectors, focusing on the synergies for sustainability between the two sectors. It focuses on key issues such as what sustainability really is, the responsibility of the different stakeholders, circular economy, sustainability communication, etc., adopting a cultural and interdisciplinary approach.
We have developed a material that complements the university training of any degree or master's degree, providing an agile response to the needs of transversal and digital competencies.
On the other hand, the aim is to develop the competencies of the community in the same fields, by transferring contents, methods and tools to continuous training aimed at various groups, such as young entrepreneurs, start-ups, professionals from local companies and public decision-makers.
Glossary for communicating sustainability in food and fashion
To understand sustainability, it is necessary to have a common vocabulary, and this is what has been developed in the sustainability glossary. It addresses the different dimensions of sustainability, beyond the commonly used concept. This glossary includes specific terms that encompass environmental impact, value chain, production, labor conditions, distribution, communication and European policies, among other aspects.
Educational modules for university education
Six didactic modules (1 ECTS each, 20 hours) have been developed for the bachelor's and master's degree programs, organized in flexible units that can be implemented in different educational contexts: they can be used in classes with teachers; followed individually online, with the EduOpen platform, at the pace that each person wants; etc. Each module develops a broad topic and can be taken independently.
Educational modules:
- The Challenge of Sustainability
- Circularity - Circular Economy Application in the Fashion and Food Industries
- Footprint - Environmental footprint in everyday consumption. Mainstream and alternatives
- The Ecosystem of Responsibility. Corporate Social Responsibility, Collective Actions & Citizenship.
- Leading and Communicating Sustainability
- The Challenges of Greenwashing and Consumer Protection
Training for the professional community
Five webinars have been created with the participation of business people, entrepreneurs, academics and project partners, aimed at professionals and adults in continuing education, based on the educational content developed for university students, with materials suitable for distance or blended learning.
Webinars 2024:
- Navigating Fashion&Food Sustainability - Insights and Best Practices (18/01)
- Sustainable Fashion: Branding Strategies to Avoid Greenwashing (03/22)
- Closing the Loop: Embracing Circular Economy for a Sustainable Future (04/23)
- From thread to food - stories of sustainability and innovation in Italy (17/05)
- Between wardrobe and trash: Fashion for a Sustainable Future (06/10)
The project has included a series of events and outreach activities to ensure that the results are accessible to a wide audience, from academics to industry professionals. Notable events include:
E1 - Presentation of the Sustainability Glossary (October 14, 2022, Milano)
This event presented the first major result of the project, the sustainability glossary, with the participation of experts and the possibility of following it virtually.
E2 - Presentation of the Guidelines (May 25, 2023, Milan)
This event presented the first major result of the project, the sustainability glossary, with the participation of experts and the possibility of following it virtually.
E3 - Presentation of Results in Bilbao (June 30, 2023, Bilbao)
ISEM, in collaboration with the BIAAF association, organized an event to showcase the latest developments of the project, with a focus on the synergies between fashion and food for sustainability.
E4- Presentation of Results in Madrid (October 3, 2024, Madrid).
Presentation of the results of the project to the entire ISEM Alumni community. To show a practical example of the collaboration between these two industries, the event was attended by Biljana Maksimovic - Marketing Director of Fine Foods - and fashion designer Paul Oteyza.
In addition, there have been other events to disseminate the project results in Amsterdam (AMFI, Creative Skills Week, 17 September 2024), Graz (SFG, 9 October 2024), Cabezón de la Sal (Acción Laboral, 21 October 2024), Reggio Emilia (Altromercato, 26 October 2024), Krakow (Jagiellonica, Apteka Design, 12 November 2024) and Athens (Envolve, Athens Conservatorie, 22 November 2024).
The project has included a series of transnational meetings between the partners, where progress was discussed, results were presented and the next stages of the project were planned:
TPM 1 - Kickoff (February 1-2, 2023, Online)
Initial meeting to define the phases and organization of the project.
TPM 2 - Milan (June 27-28, 2022)
Meeting in attendance to consolidate knowledge and advance in the creation of the glossary and case studies.
TPM 3 - Online (December 12, 2022)
Review of learning modules and test planning.
TPM 4 - San Sebastian (June 28-29, 2023)
Presentation of the results of the modules and reflection on sustainability in gastronomy and fashion.
TPM 5 - Online (November 23-24, 2023)
Meeting to evaluate the educational modules and training progress.
TPM 6 - Online (June 10-11, 2024)
Final meeting to review the results and plan the communication of the results.
TPM 7 - Graz (October 7-8, 2024)
Final evaluation and planning of the dissemination of project results.
With this project, ISEM and its partners seek to provide an innovative and up-to-date approach to sustainability in the fashion and food sectors, offering new tools and knowledge to students and professionals. Through research, the creation of educational content and the exchange of experiences, "Fashion & Food Synergy for Sustainability" aims to drive change towards a circular economy and more responsible communication on sustainability.