From 27–29 April 2026, Fashion Forward: Youth Weaving Sustainable Change held its national training in Madrid, equipping motivated young trainers with the skills needed to design and deliver educational activities and advocacy campaigns on sustainable fashion at a local level.
Over three days, participants focused on learning and growth. The training emphasized leadership development, exploring the realities of advocacy campaigns, testing effective strategies through role-playing, and creating individual action plans to drive change in their communities, guided by the advocacy expert Macarena Romero Álvaro.
Participants further strengthened their leadership by reflecting on their own values through creative activities such as collage. The training also included essential facilitation techniques, equipping participants to engage others effectively in conversations about sustainability.
In a hands-on workshop, local artist and designer Alejandro Abarzúa introduced participants to working with natural fibers and textile scraps. Through a weaving session, they created brooches while exploring creative approaches to sustainable fashion.
The training concluded with a study visit to Ellas lo Bordan, a textile workshop that exemplifies sustainable practices. This inspiring space supports women in vulnerable situations to gain skills and access to quality employment through the production of high-quality, eco-friendly textile products. Seeing the workshop in action highlighted what a committed, practical approach to ethical fashion looks like.
With their new knowledge and skills, these emerging leaders of Fashion Forward are now ready to train the next generation of change agents.
If you are interested in this project, you live in Madrid, and you are 16-30 years old, sign up to be a local change agent by contacting us at ines@espaciogeranios.com.
Fashion Forward: Youth Weaving Sustainable Change is an Erasmus+ project co-funded by the European Union through the Italian National Agency Agenzia nazionale per i giovani.
