On 16 May 2025, the exciting online event ‘Finding the common thread’ officially launched the EU Textiles Ecosystem Platform. This event attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including SMEs, large companies, academia, industry associations, NGOs. The high level of participation and diversity reflects a strong interest in the platform and its potential to drive meaningful change within the textiles ecosystem.

The agenda featured key stakeholders in the textiles ecosystem, including Giulia del Brenna, Head of Unit for Textiles, Food and Retail at DG GROW. She welcomed participants and emphasised the platform’s role in networking and collaboration. Drawing from her extensive experience in the retail sector, Giulia del Brenna highlighted the synergies between retail and textiles, as well as the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among different ecosystems in the coming years. She expressed her high expectations for carious stakeholders to shape and energise the platform, which is ultimately designed for their benefit.

The keynote speech by Francesca Romana Rinaldi, Director of the Monitor for Circular Fashion at SDA Bocconi School of Management, focused on overcoming challenges in the textiles ecosystem through multi-stakeholder collaboration. She stressed the relevance of partnerships in promoting sustainable practices and addressed the challenges the EU market faces due to current global economic and political circumstances.

A dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Marco Ricchetti, co-founder and member of the board at Blumine Srl, featured distinguished representatives from various sectors who are Ambassadors of the platform. Panellists included Carmen Arias, Secretary General of the European Footwear Confederation (CEC), Gustavo Gonzales-Quijano, Secretary General of Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COTANCE), Paola Viniello, Project Officer at The European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX), and Lutz Walter, Secretary General of the European Network of Textile Research and Innovation Professionals (Textile ETP). The discussion highlighted the diverse needs across the textiles, clothing, leather, and footwear sectors, such as sector-specific information. Additionally, it is necessary to equip stakeholders with the right tools to navigate EU regulations and market changes. Further, it was emphasised that the information provided on the platform must be accessible and easy to understand, enabling users to fully benefit from it.

Key takeaways from the presentations on the platform’s main functionalities included:
•    Community engagement: Active participation in community workspaces is crucial for knowledge sharing and collaboration. We encourage you to join one or more of our workspaces, available here!
•    Pledges, pledges, pledges: Submitting and implementing your pledges will drive concrete actions towards sustainability and innovation, ultimately boosting the twin transition. Whether your pledges are ambitious or modest, every commitment counts!

Join us today! Become a member of the platform with your EU Login. As we move forward, we welcome all stakeholders, be it businesses, researchers, NGOs, or policymakers, to engage in discussions, share your insights, and collaborate with others who are equally passionate about transforming the textiles ecosystem.