GreenTex

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-CBHE

Green Innovation Network for Academic Excellence in the Sustainable and Digital Transformation of Textile Education in Central Asia.

The GreenTex project aims to modernize textile education, promote circular economy principles, and drive sustainable industry transformation in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The textile industry is a vital sector for these economies but is also a significant source of environmental pollution. The project responds to challenges such as excessive textile waste, inefficient recycling, high water and energy consumption, and limited industry compliance with EU sustainability standards.

Aligned with the EU Green Deal, the initiative integrates higher education institutions (HEIs), industry stakeholders, and policymakers to foster sustainable textile production and responsible consumer behavior. It will introduce eight new disciplines focused on sustainable textile innovation, circular economy, digital transformation, and climate resilience. These disciplines will equip students, professionals, and entrepreneurs with cutting-edge skills in eco-friendly textile technologies, digitized manufacturing (AI, IoT, sensors), and waste reduction strategies. The project’s capacity-building activities include training local faculty through EU-based best practices, developing digital learning platforms, and conducting pilot implementations at partner HEIs.

A strong emphasis is placed on gender inclusion, ensuring that the majority-female workforce in the textile sector gains access to upskilling opportunities in sustainable fashion, entrepreneurship, and green manufacturing.

Through strategic partnerships with European universities and industry leaders, the project will promote policy recommendations, establish circular economy roadmaps, and strengthen academia-industry collaboration. It will also enhance international market access by supporting compliance with global environmental standards, helping textile producers meet EU’s Sustainable and Circular Textiles Strategy requirements.