New European project GEN-C focuses on making fashion and textiles regenerative
Sustainability has long been on the agenda for the fashion and textile sector; circular supply chains, material innovation and CO2 reduction are no longer new topics. A more difficult question often remains: is limiting damage enough, or should the industry also actively help restore ecosystems and communities? This shift from damage limitation to restoration is central to regenerative entrepreneurship. The European project GEN-C (reGENerative entrepreneurship Competencies for Fashion) is investigating what this approach means for higher education and is now inviting the industry to contribute.
From sustainable to regenerative
GEN-C is an Erasmus+ project (KA220-HED, December 2025 – November 2027, budget 400,000 euros), led by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) in collaboration with the University of Galway, Ege University, Universidad de Vigo and EOLAS S.L. The project aims to train a new generation of entrepreneurs in the fashion and textile industry who not only limit damage but also contribute to ecosystem restoration. GEN-C builds on EntreComp, the European framework for entrepreneurship competencies, expanding it with regenerative competencies specific to the industry.
What research already shows
The project began with an extensive literature review. Researchers from the five partner institutions mapped 105 scientific publications on regenerative entrepreneurship and education. Nine core competencies were distilled from this research, ranging from systems thinking and ecological literacy to place-based knowledge and social justice in the supply chain. Notably, the competencies that most distinguish regenerative from circular approaches, such as knowledge of local ecosystems and a focus on labour justice, are least addressed in existing literature. Furthermore, methods for assessing them are almost entirely absent. These knowledge gaps now form the basis for the survey, curriculum, online course and toolkit being developed by GEN-C.
Participate in survey
GEN-C has launched a survey for educators, entrepreneurs and experts to identify the barriers and priorities surrounding regenerative entrepreneurship in the fashion and textile industry. The results will form the basis for the curriculum. Professionals working in the sector with a vision for sustainability, circularity or regenerative practices are invited to complete the survey at coresearch.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6x1ROHlfIv1iGk6. More information is available at gencacademy.eu.
Anchored in Amsterdam research and education
Within the HvA, GEN-C is part of the Fashion Research & Technology professorship led by professor Dr. Ir. Troy Nachtigall, which researches sustainable materials, digital production and circularity. The Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI), the largest fashion school in the Netherlands with approximately 1,500 students in its Fashion & Textile Technologies bachelor's programme, is also closely involved. Sustainability is an integral part of its curriculum. Through the professorship and AMFI, GEN-C establishes a direct link between research, education and professional practice.