Transylvania Textile & Fashion Cluster has taken up the issue of textile waste, a very eager problem in the textile sector – what are we going to do with the large amount of textile waste? The cluster members are working on a daily basis on creative solutions to reintroduce the textile waste in the value chain, to extend the time interval that a piece of textile is used. Sustainable Development Goal 12 Responsible Consumption and Production is a key to come up with solutions for the case of textile waste. There are basic questions we have to ask before we produce and consume: what material was made of the product, who made it, in what conditions was made it, how was it transported, do we really need it? Sustainable Development Goal 3 Good Health and Well-being is also a key issue that can bring positive change regarding textile waste, because clothes are intimately linked to the human body, the quality of the materials have a huge impact on our health and well-being. We are able to produce textile products that can be recycled many times, with low water usage technology and we are able to reintroduce the textile waste in the value chain, to extend the time interval that a piece of textile is used, it is only a matter of mentality and consciousness if we do it or not.
In 2019 the Circular Economy Club – that we are working in collaboration with, put the annual event’s focus on educating local communities in how circular economy works in practice through featuring “Closing the loop”, the world’s first feature-length documentary film on the circular economy. The good practices presented in the film and the circular thinking concept – reduce|reuse|recycle|renew|reinvent are good inspirational source regarding our clusters` activities on circular economy and Sustainable Development Goals.
The cluster president and manager participated at the Eu-south med cluster matchmaking event & techdays | Casablanca, Morocco 2019, event focused on the following individual objectives:
- Vision and knowledge of new markets and technology trends
- Knowledge of geographical market entry barriers for cluster organisations / members
- Signature of cooperation agreements between companies and / or laboratories within participating clusters/ regions/ countries
- Development of new business activities
- Increased international visibility and market penetration: facilitate search for strategic alliances/partners
- Accessing new research and innovation competence and developing concrete projects
The quantified impact of the event on the cluster:
- Two cooperation agreements/letters of intent with clusters met at the event
- Six clusters/businesses we plan to keep further contact with to establish cooperation
- Three collaborative project ideas that have emerged from the C2C/C2B meetings
The organizing committee of the Global Sustainable Fashion Week has announced the organization of its fourth edition. The event will take place in Budapest, Hungary between 8th – 11th April. The calendar will include press conference, international conferences, workshops, eco fashion shows and cultural programs. Designers will be presenting their new collections that have been produced with respect to the environment, sustainability, ethics and to the circular economy.
All the creative traditional or/and innovative solutions in design and production in the ethical and sustainable fashion are welcome!
The competition is for the students of the following schools: Liceul Tehnologic Kós Károly, Liceul Tehnologic Gábor Áron, Liceul Tehnologic Baróti Szabó David, Liceul Tehnologic Nicolae Bălcescu
Each team must create 2 new products, a household textile product and an item of clothing or accessory. Students can only work from textiles, which can be sewn by machine, by hand, can be glued, braided, etc.
The activity of carrying out innovation audits at the level of member SMEs aimed at identifying the innovation potential and substantiating strategic decisions on the technological development of member SMEs in the cluster, as well as providing recommendations on improving key development issues subsequent. Based on a methodology developed by ZENIT (Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany), the audit process consisted of completing a questionnaire with 45 questions. In order to thoroughly investigate the innovative potential of the analyzed companies, the 45 questions aimed at evaluating the innovative capacity through the prism of eight vectors, as follows:
– Culture of innovation;
– Innovation strategy;
– Innovation management;
– Networking;
– Development of new processes and products;
– Research and Development;
– Access to new markets;
– Technological management.
At the meeting entitled “Evaluation of activities in 2019” took place a presentation of the activities carried out in 2019, where the following achievements were analyzed: methods of promoting the cluster internationally, opportunities for collaboration, joint participation in fairs and exhibitions, the circular economy, the importance of developing and promoting a culture of innovation, sustainable development.
In 2019, the main areas and objectives for sustainable development were identified, we reviewed the cluster development strategy.
We have established methods for more efficient use of materials and natural resources. We identified the need for innovation in the service and production sectors within the cluster and to improve product quality.
There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it brings hunger and unhappiness.
Mahatma Gandhi
Trainings
In order to improve the level of knowledge and skills of employees and managers we facilitated the enrollment of cluster members in free short termtraining courses in accordance with the requirements of jobs.
The recognition of acquired skills was certified by a by the National Authority for Qualifications.
Entrepreneurship courses
Entrepreneurs tend to be independent, persevering and involved in starting or developing a business. They are optimistic people, motivated by the idea of success and achievement, an entrepreneur is a person who transforms ideas and opportunities into concrete actions. Lack of financial knowledge and fair financial planning at the entrepreneurial level are the major impediments both in the start of a business and in its further development, among the major obstacles being the access to financing , which in the case of Romania is among the lower in the European Union.
In the context of this course, the market opportunity means the possibility of creating a new business, whether it is a commercial activity, non-profit or any other activity initiated within a company.
The entrepreneurship course helped to gain the confidence and mentality necessary to develop a successful business, the knowledge and tools essential for decision making and problem solving.
Project Manager course
The Project Manager course for acquiring the knowledge and techniques required for project management, as well as a practical experience in using project management techniques was completed by five people who also received a certificate at the end of the course. The course took place between May and September, 2019.
Human Resources Manager course
The Human Resources Manager course with the following general objectives:
– coordinating the development of human resources activity;
– coordinating the development of human resources policies and programs;
– elaboration of the human resources strategy;
– monitoring personnel costs;
– monitoring the organization’s labor relations system;
– organizing the activity of the human resources department;
was finished by three persons who also received a certificate at the end of the course. The course took place between May and September, 2019.
Human Resources Inspector course
The course of Human Resources Inspector with the following general objectives:
– Communication with employees
– Application of legal provisions regarding safety and health at work and in
the field of emergencies
– Preparation and management of personnel records
– Organizing staff recruitment
– Preparation of the general register of employees
– Preparation of the payroll for the employed staff
– Administration of the personnel record database
was finished by three persons who also received a certificate at the end of the course. The course took place between May and September, 2019.
ACCELERATOR programme
ACCELERATOR is a transnational initiative aiming to support startups in their early stage within a complex and comprehensive business development program, its aim is to provide a tool which can become part of the start-up ecosystem development policy.
During the programme participants learned how to use the Business Model Canvas, a global standard used by millions of people in companies of all sizes. You can use the canvas to describe, design, challenge, and pivot your business model. It works in conjunction with the Value Proposition Canvas and other strategic management and execution tools and processes. Start-uppers at the beginning of the program developed their own Canvas which was upgraded until the end. At the last workshop the two business models were compared and conclusions were drawn.
Ready to join?
Are you interested in becoming a member? Let’s chat. We can’t wait to meet you!
Transylvania Textile & Fashion
- Str. Presei nr. 4, Sf. Gheorghe, Romania
- +40 788 437 636
- transylvaniatextile@gmail.com