In a global context where there is an urgent need to move towards a green economy and where consumer pressure for sustainable products is increasing, it is essential that we all have the same true understanding of sustainable production and fight against misinformation.
The main motivator of the VETting Green project is to be able to differentiate environmentally sustainable business strategies from the empty marketing strategies that constitute greenwashing in the footwear and related sectors. It is important to fight misinformation and greenwashing and to advocate for greater corporate social and environmental responsibility that could reduce the environmental impact of the sector and contribute to the fight against climate change. To this end, it is essential to educate on the subject, to teach future workers in the footwear sector and consumers of textile materials, to disseminate tools in labelling that make it possible to know when a company is carrying out sustainable practices or is environmentally aware, while generating new learning pathways related to the skills that professionals would need in the labour market to deal with these processes.
With this project, we want to facilitate transparency and a common and true understanding of sustainable practices and concepts in order to prevent companies in the footwear sector, and other sectors, from being misinformed about the concept of greenwashing. To this end, the project will create a space for future and current workers in the sector, as well as consumers of footwear and other textile products, to be able to discern sustainable business models from those that actually appear sustainable due to greenwashing marketing techniques.
On the other hand, the concept of greenwashing will be worked with VET students and professionals thanks to digital tools using a learner-centred approach, based on augmented reality modules, explanations, best practices, templates and quizzes with a gamification approach that will allow learners to interact more in the process, making learning more enjoyable and fun.
Benefits of the project for organisations and their staff:
- Partners will have access to hundreds of footwear companies and VET providers that will benefit from the project. All will be shared with these companies, research centres and universities so that they can see their employability improved towards greener models and new opportunities to create new, more skilled and specialised multi-level jobs. This will foster cooperation through new training opportunities for companies, associations, research centres, VET providers and HEIs across the EU in the field of digital and green skills.
- At local level, the impact of the project is related to the level of green transformation and the consequent image of footwear companies in each locality/region where the sector is strongest. In this way, the project can influence employment, the entrepreneurial level of the regions, the living standards at local level if the industry is thriving. This will have a long term impact on increasing the quality of the products, the possibility to reach a higher position in terms of markets, prestige and image. Young people will be attracted to the sector, related VET studies, increase the qualification and quality of employment, the added value of the product with gains in image and competitiveness.
- At national level, the project will have an impact on employment, on the qualification of the workforce and newcomers to the labour market, increase motivation for lifelong learning, foster entrepreneurship of new talents designers, technicians, entrepreneurs, IT/digital and green experts, and thus increase the number of companies in the sector to make the green transition. It will increase the added value of products, prepare companies to address higher and more demanding market segments and niches always anchored in transparency and trust.
The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content, which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Dates: 01/09/2023 al 28/02/2026
Partner entities:
- Support policy makers and public authorities in the transition towards greener policies in the footwear and related sectors (e.g. textile, leather, accessories, etc.) in cooperation with stakeholders in their implementation (such as SMEs, footwear producers, consumers, etc.), while tackling unscrupulous practices to exploit consumers’ willingness to protect the environment (which could have a negative impact on the credibility of procedures and the green transition).
- Prepare VET communities and current practitioners in lifelong learning processes on environmental issues as key actors and levers for companies to change their policies towards increasingly sustainable ones.
- Raise awareness among footwear workers and consumers on product traceability and labelling to make better choices and understanding, while rewarding companies that invest in preserving our planet, and trigger a momentum for change in the industry through best practices and sustainability communication strategies based on transparency.
- First transnational meeting in Spain (January 2024)
- Implementation of a research on sustainability in the footwear sector (January to May 2024)
- Development of a policy report on the situation of green washing in the territories of the entities (May to June 2024)
- Second transnational meeting in Portugal (June 2024)
- Creation of an online training platform for producers in the footwear and textile sector as well as a self-assessment tool (June to October 2024)
- Third transnational meeting in Belgium (October 2024)
- Training course on the training platform in Italy (November 2024)
- Testing of project materials and deliverables and improvements to them (December 2024 to August 2025)
- Launching of the final project questionnaire and publication of the final results (August 2025)
- Multiplier dissemination events (December 2026)
- Political report on the situation of green washing in the territories of the entities.
- Tools to accompany future workers in the footwear sector in differentiating sustainable business strategies from the empty or misleading marketing strategies that constitute greenwashing.
- An online training for footwear and textile workers, company representatives or VET students and teachers on green washing.
