Shaping the Future of Circular Textile and Clothing Ecosystem: Highlights from the Rotterdam Co-Creation Workshop
Shaping the Future of Circular Textile and Clothing Ecosystem: Highlights from the Rotterdam Co-Creation Workshop
On 12th December 2024, FABRIX hosted its first co-creation workshop at the Education Lab of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). The event convened forward-thinking businesses, designers, neighborhood initiatives, government representatives, and academics to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore opportunities for collaboration, fostering discussions with diverse perspectives and insights.
The workshop opened with an introduction to FABRIX in which Prof. Mariangela Lavanga, Associate Professor of Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship at EUR, outlined the consortium’s partners, goals, and approach, emphasizing the spatial and relational dynamics that underpin the project’s focus. Dr. Younghyun Kim, postdoctoral researcher at EUR, then shared initial findings from interviews with circular textile and fashion actors in Rotterdam, shedding light on the challenges they reported on, such as accessibility of space, impact measurement, partner identification, and cross-sector collaboration.
The interactive sessions of the workshop were facilitated by Adrian Hill of OSMOS Network. Participants introduced themselves and completed a guided self-assessment of their environmental and social activities. This was followed by a “Statements Exercise” where participants responded to thought-provoking prompts on topics such as sustainability in textile and clothing, government support, local manufacturing, and spatial needs. The resulting discussions brought out the varied experiences of participants, highlighting fresh perspectives and connections.
The day proceeded with a hands-on “User Journey Exercise.” Participants worked in smaller groups by types—businesses, government actors, and facilitators—to analyze the process of completing specific tasks in advancing their sustainability efforts. Using a journey template and post-it notes, each group sketched the journey process and identified pain points and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of trust, value alignment, and time investment in building collaborative relationships. Discussions highlighted how businesses seek local partnerships, facilitators educate and connect communities, and policymakers gather insights to inform their work.
As the workshop concluded, participants came together to reflect and share final thoughts, before proceeding to additional networking and conversations over drinks and music at the Erasmus Paviljoen.
This co-creation workshop provided a vital platform for local stakeholders to share their diverse experiences, needs, and aspirations, laying the groundwork for knowledge-sharing and actionable strategies. Together, we are building stronger communities to advance sustainable and circular practices in textiles and fashion, both in Rotterdam and beyond. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed invaluable insights!
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