Textile Transition Academy: Building the future of sustainable textiles together
- Liesbeth Vallinga
- Programme manager
“How can the textile industry move beyond ambition and create real, lasting change? ”
That question is at the heart of the Textile Transition Academy, a new learning journey by Wageningen University & Research, developed in collaboration with Fibershed NL. The programme connects scientific insights with real-world practice and brings together professionals who want to contribute to a more sustainable, circular and resilient textile system.
Textile Transition Academy
Designed for designers, entrepreneurs, sustainability professionals and innovators, the course offers a unique space to explore the challenges and opportunities of textile transition. By combining academic knowledge with practical experience from the field, participants are encouraged to think systemically, reflect critically and work collaboratively on the future of textiles.
Through lectures, workshops, field visits and interactive webinars, participants dive into the environmental, social and economic issues shaping the industry today. Topics include biobased materials, consumer behaviour, the role of social media, activism, local value chains and the power of community-driven initiatives.
Rather than presenting sustainability as a simple solution, Textile Transition Academy creates room for honest conversations about the complexity of change. It addresses the tensions, trade-offs and practical realities that professionals encounter when trying to build new systems in an industry that still moves fast.
“One of the things I’m appreciating most is the space for honest conversations. Not sustainability as a polished narrative, but sustainability in practice.”
- Olivia Rambelli
- Interdisciplinary Sustainability & Circularity
Reflection of Olivia Rambelli
“One of the things I’m appreciating most is the space for honest conversations. Not sustainability as a polished narrative, but sustainability in practice: the tensions, limitations, difficult trade-offs, and the reality of trying to build new systems inside an industry that still moves very fast.
The field trip day to Arnhem Modekwartier left me inspired by the conscious shopping tour and the strong sense of community built between different designers, entrepreneurs, and initiatives. Beyond the business models themselves, it was beautiful to see the stories, values, and collaboration behind these spaces. A lot of reflections around consumer behavior, value creation, and the importance of transparency when discussing transition.”
Great collaboration
A key strength of the programme is the collaboration between Wageningen University & Research and Fibershed NL. By bridging science and practice, Textile Transition Academy helps participants translate knowledge into meaningful action within their own organisations, networks and value chains.
As the textile industry faces growing pressure to reduce its environmental impact and rethink global production systems, this programme offers a valuable platform for learning, exchange and collective action.