It was an intense and enriching two days for FICUS ETS in Palermo, where the international kick-off meeting of the STITCH – Sustainability Through Innovation, Training, Creativity & STEAM Horizons project (Project n. 2025‑1‑IT02‑KA220‑SCH000353351) took place. The initiative is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme – Key Action 220 – Cooperation Partnerships in the school sector. The meeting marked the first operational step of a project aimed at promoting sustainability in fashion within the European school context through an interdisciplinary educational approach.
Partners from Turkey, Spain, Greece, Estonia, Norway, and Italy participated in the meeting, including schools, universities, and organizations active in education, innovation, and sustainability. The purpose of the meeting was to formally launch the project, define the schedule for the initial activities, and collaboratively build a shared educational vision for the entire three-year project period (October 2025 – March 2028).
The meeting was hosted by the University of Palermo – Department of Physics and Chemistry, as the project coordinator, in collaboration with FICUS ETS. Italian associated partners ICS Maredolce (Palermo) and IC Altavilla Milicia also contributed to the dialogue and planning, bringing the practical school perspective to the integration of new educational methodologies.
STITCH aims to raise awareness among students and teachers about the environmental impact of the fashion sector and to foster the acquisition of STEAM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) applied to sustainability. The project promotes practices such as recycling, upcycling, and reusing textile materials, stimulating students’ creativity, critical thinking, and digital skills through workshops, laboratories, and interdisciplinary activities.
Expected outcomes include innovative teaching tools for educators (digital platforms, toolkits, and guides), educational pathways for students that incorporate emerging technologies (3D printing, artificial intelligence, IoT, and smart textiles), and the creation of a European network of “Sustainability Leaders”—students trained as sustainability ambassadors in their schools and local communities.
During the meeting, partners defined the initial activities for the work packages, including:
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the development of a digital hub for teacher training, collecting and sharing best STEAM and sustainability practices;
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the design of educational pathways for students, including workshops, prototyping, and hands-on activities;
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the launch of the “Sustainability Leaders” programme, actively engaging students as change agents in schools and communities.
A particularly meaningful moment was the visit to the Sartoria Sociale in Palermo, an experience of sustainable and inclusive fashion where creativity and social integration intersect daily. The visit provided partners with a concrete example of how sustainability principles can be applied in real, shared practices.
The meeting concluded with a certificate ceremony, highlighting the importance of transnational collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective commitment to promoting innovative and sustainable education. For FICUS ETS, the STITCH project represents a concrete opportunity to contribute to transforming the relationship between education, creativity, and sustainability across Europe.
