Upgrading skills for young designers, fashion graduates and startups in the cross-border area and developing a Fashion Employment Hub

Increased competition from emerging economies and the global economic downturn are putting strong pressure on textile enterprises in the cross-border area of ​​Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. Increased competition from manufacturing countries in Asia and Africa, the turbulence of the European economy and the need for updated and new skills in the workforce represent common challenges that require coordinated actions.

The project aims to create a Fashion Hub that will act as an employment hub with a cross-border character and impact, offering integrated and innovative support services, tools and knowledge to professionals and potential entrepreneurs in the wider cross-border area. The Employment Hub will act as a unique hub that will bring together all stakeholders involved in the fashion industry, providing them with new training skills and professional competences. It will also facilitate the exchange of innovative ideas and sustainable methods, enhance knowledge transfer and promote creative thinking and development.

The focus of the project is on the last key parameter, building the capacities of human capital, especially young graduates who constitute a significant part of the national workforce of both countries. Ultimately, the sector needs qualified employees and managers, as well as competitive services. The overall objective of the project is to respond to the common cross-border challenges of the fashion sector by establishing a Fashion Employment Hub and Antenna that will support SMEs and young graduates in the fashion and fashion sectors (footwear, leather, jewellery). This will not only deliver real, practical benefits of high added value for the project target groups (graduates, students, SMEs), but will also help ensure the competitiveness of the CB area for the textile and clothing industry. Ultimately, the proposed Fashion Employment Hub will enhance the development of CB economic activities by exploiting existing potential and new opportunities for cooperation and sharing experiences.

The project will establish a theoretical framework for fashion start-ups and enterprises by implementing extensive research, in order to provide guidance and support on issues related to business financing, innovation, extroversion and sustainability.

The project also aims to promote business knowledge and good practices in the fashion industry through appropriate social networking activities and workshops. Professionals will have the opportunity to meet, exchange business ideas and develop new ones. A Partnership and a B2B portal will be developed that will act as a platform that will unite all fashion stakeholders and provide access to up-to-date knowledge regarding technological innovations, sustainable production methods and materials, new market trends.