Project topic:

The impact of fast fashion on young people is particularly concerning. The fast fashion industry targets young people through social media, advertising, and influencer marketing, promoting a culture of consumerism and disposability. As a result, many young people feel pressure to constantly update their wardrobes and keep up with the latest trends, leading to overconsumption and a lack of consideration for the environmental and social impacts of their purchases.

Furthermore, the fast fashion industry relies on low-wage workers in countries with weak labor protections, often subjecting them to poor working conditions, long hours, and low wages. This exploitation of workers is particularly concerning for young people who are often the same age as the workers in the industry.

Overall, the impact of fast fashion on young people includes not only environmental degradation and social exploitation but also the promotion of unsustainable and often unhealthy consumption patterns.

Learning practical creative skills like knitting and embroidery can provide young people with a sense of accomplishment and self-expression, as well as practical skills that can be used to repair and transform clothing. Additionally, these skills can promote a sense of mindfulness and well-being, which is particularly important in today's fast-paced world.

Moreover, many young people are interested in sustainable fashion practices and are actively seeking ways to reduce their environmental footprint and make more responsible consumption choices. Learning practical skills such as knitting and embroidery can be part of this effort, as it promotes a culture of reuse and repurposing, rather than disposable consumerism.

Can be seen that there is a growing interest among young people in learning practical creative skills related to sustainable fashion practices, and this trend is likely to continue in the coming years. This are the reasons how we combined the 2 issues and solutions, and came with the idea of this project topic.

Activities of the project

Project activities will involve:

• Get to know each other: Activities that will support participants to get to know each other, explore the group and venue and make them comfortable to enjoy the rest of the project.
• City challenge: Get to know the surroundings, the locals, explore the culture and nature.
• Open workshop for public and locals: Erasmus+ programme opportunities for young people, Youthpass and 8 key competencies.
• World café: To introduce the topic to participants and go deeper into explooring
• Discussion/ debates: on the topics related to fashion, fast fashion, natural resources consumption, land filling etc.

• Workshops and Skill-Building Activities: Hands-on workshops can help participants learn new skills, such as knitting, embroidery, and upcycling.
• Local visit: Visit to the city and exploring second-hand shops, handmade shops, craftsman etc.
• Cultural Exchange Activities: Cultural exchange activities can help participants learn about different cultures and their customs, food, traditions, songs etc.

• Group Projects and Presentations: Group projects and presentations can help participants apply what they have learned to create solutions to real-world problems related to sustainable fashion. This can include creating sustainable fashion collections, organizing clothing swaps, and developing awareness campaigns to promote sustainable fashion. 
• Fashion event: Bazaar, Clothes swap or similar event organized according t participants interest atm

Main Idea of the Project:

The main aim of a youth exchange project "From Waste to Wear: Building Skills for a Greener Wardrobe!" focused on sustainable fashion, repairing clothes, and learning practical skills is to empower young people to take action and create a more sustainable and equitable world, one stitch at a time.

Aims of the project

The main aim of a youth exchange project focused on sustainable fashion, repairing clothes, and learning practical skills that can help reduce textile waste is to promote sustainable practices in the fashion industry and empower young people to make more responsible consumption choices. The project seeks to raise awareness about the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion and to promote a culture of repair, reuse, and upcycling rather than disposing of them and contributing to the growing problem of textile waste. Additionally, the project provides an opportunity for cross-cultural learning and collaboration, promoting creativity and self-expression through various textile-based practical skills such as sewing, knitting, and embroidery.

The youth exchange project aims to provide participants with the skills and knowledge they need to become agents of positive change in their own communities, promoting sustainable fashion practices and inspiring others to do the same. By working collaboratively and learning from each other's experiences and perspectives, participants can develop a deeper understanding of the complex issues related to fashion sustainability and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Objectives of the project

The Project specific objectives are:

The specific objectives of this Erasmus+ youth exchange project on the topic of sustainable fashion, repairing clothes, and learning practical skills are aligned with the broader objectives of the Erasmus+ program, which aims to promote cross-cultural learning, personal development, and social inclusion among young people, environmental protectin and awareness.

• Raise awareness about the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion and promote a culture of repair, reuse, and upcycling in the fashion industry.
• Develop practical skills related to sustainable fashion practices, such as sewing, knitting, and embroidery, while promoting creativity and self-expression.
• Foster cross-cultural learning and exchange, promoting mutual understanding and intercultural awareness among participants.
• Encourage active citizenship and social engagement among participants, promoting their ability to become agents of positive change in their own communities.
• Promote social inclusion and equal opportunities for all participants, including those with fewer opportunities or from underrepresented groups.
• Foster a sense of community and connection among participants, promoting social and emotional well-being.
• Provide opportunities for personal and professional development, including skills related to leadership, teamwork, communication, and intercultural competence.

• Create a safe and supportive learning environment that encourages learning and personal growth.
• Make art exhibition/ fashion event done totally from reused clothes to promote sustainable fashion and encourage young people to use their creativity.
• Video/short movie on the topic of sustainable fashion and raising aarenss among young people, as well as crafting, handmade, reparing skills and visit of craftsman.
• Preparation for creating local campaigns to raise awareness of conscious consumtion as part of the dissemination process
• Provide a ground for young people to learn how to organize a fashion event of second-hand clothing (bazaar or swap).