Consortium meeting in Amsterdam

The AEQUALIS consortium once again brought together 19 partners for a meeting held on July 1st and 2nd, 2025, in Amsterdam, hosted by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) and the Dutch fashion organization MODINT. Participants had the opportunity to assess the project's progress, discuss current challenges, and define key activities for the next three years.

The meeting opened with welcome remarks from the hosts, followed by a presentation by the project coordinator, Pedro Gonçalves, who outlined the financial aspects of the project—including reporting obligations to the European Commission and the current state and planning of the project budget.

Croatia was represented at the meeting by Goran Švast and Katarina Cicvarić from the Craft College (Obrtničko učilište), Jagoda Divić and Iva Nappholz from the Croatian Chamber of Economy, and Anja Ludaš and Ivana Čorak from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology.

During the two-day event, work package leaders presented completed activities, current progress, and plans for the next phase of the project. A major focus was placed on the development of curricula and teaching materials for the Textile, Clothing, Leather, and Footwear (TCLF) sector, aiming to enhance the quality of vocational education and align it more closely with labour market needs.

The partners agreed on the next steps in project implementation, including repeating the skills needs survey in the TCLF sector. A significant portion of the meeting was also dedicated to dissemination activities—ensuring the project’s outcomes reach relevant stakeholders, institutions, and the wider public.

In addition to the working sessions, participants took advantage of informal networking opportunities, including a joint dinner and a boat tour through Amsterdam’s canals, as well as a visit to “Denim City,” an innovation hub dedicated to sustainable denim production.

The participation of Croatian representatives, including the Craft College, contributes to the development of modern education programmes and reinforces Croatia’s role in shaping the future of vocational education in Europe.