Meet the facilitators in Rotterdam and Athens who will kickstart the FABRIX community!
The FABRIX project is currently developing a platform that, based on extensive research and interviews, is designed to serve the needs of a range of stakeholders interested in increasing the circularity of the textile and clothing industry. Facilitators (incubators, associations and cooperatives of various types, innovation labs, etc.) play a key role in motivating and guiding startups and SMEs towards circularity and in forming an actual, physical community of like-minded people and their businesses. The FABRIX platform will provide them with the data and tools so that they can perform this role in an even more strategic and informed manner. That’s why this project has identified and provided financial support to two facilitators in each of our pilot cities, Athens and Rotterdam, who will be essential in the next phase of our project.
Facilitators in Rotterdam
The two facilitators chosen in Rotterdam are Tekkoo and Oxious.
Tekkoo is an innovation agency that specializes in circular business development, local circular ecosystems, and stakeholder integration through training and circularity pilots in port and urban areas. Together with their Rotterdam BlueCity neighbor Holland Circular Hotspot, they are able to connect businesses, knowledge institutes, and governments to facilitate international circular transition. They will support local SMEs through targeted events, customized support, and access to European opportunities to unlock local potential through collective action.
Oxious is a B-Corp Certified textile company based in Rotterdam. With their expertise in vocational training for marginalized groups, upcycling, and circular fashion, they focus on socio-economic empowerment through textile craftspersonship.
Facilitators in Athens
In Athens, we have Ten Million Hands and the Institute of Commerce and Services.
Ten Million Hands, which has a dual commercial and non-profit structure, unites consumers and businesses in support of ethical practices. They will continue to do this through the FABRIX project in partnership with Impact Hub Athens where they will support SMEs in the textile and clothing sector by organizing a masterclass series to build skills in circular economy and sustainable practices, hosting a sustainable fashion pop-up market to connect brands with consumers, and facilitating a policy workshop to co-create solutions for advancing circularity.
The Institute of Commerce & Services brings expertise in local socio-economic contexts, policy advocacy, consumer protection training, and fashion-sector networks to the project. Under the guidance of Valia Aranitou, Scientific Director, the institute has carried out a series of studies related to small and medium-sized enterprises, the organization of the retail sector, and the digital transformation of entrepreneurship.
The chosen groups are currently undergoing onboarding meetings and coordinating with the local project partners to develop a series of activities aimed at growing and supporting the community of circular-minded, local SMEs working in the fashion, textile and clothing sector. So stay tuned for announcements of further opportunities to connect!
