CUEIM announces the approval of the Interreg NEXT MED MEDinCHAMBERS project to strengthen cross-border governance in the textile sector in the Mediterranean

CUEIM is proud to announce the approval of the Interreg NEXT MED MEDinCHAMBERS project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at strengthening cross-border governance in the textile value chains across Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, and Turkey.

This Governance project focuses on creating a shared knowledge network among the Chambers of Commerce from the EU and Mediterranean Partner Countries to foster effective collaboration, address challenges, and support the sustainable growth of the textile sector in the Mediterranean region.

The textile sector, strongly export-oriented between European countries and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region, with the EU as its main destination market, is currently at a critical stage where the adoption of sustainable practices has become essential. In this regard, the project will help support textile businesses in the involved countries to adopt measures that ensure compliance with European sustainability regulations, while simultaneously promoting economic growth in the rural and less-developed areas of the Mediterranean.

More in detail, the primary goal of MEDinCHAMBERS is to create a cross-border alliance that fosters the adoption of sustainable and circular practices in the textile sector. By introducing new strategies for circularity and energy efficiency, the project aligns with the EU’s green policies, including the Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan. In this sense, the project will drive improvements in waste management, bio-based materials, and digital technologies in textile production, addressing environmental concerns and promoting sustainable business models.

The project will also focus on providing tailored support services to help businesses transition to circular practices, including the development of Living Labs based on the Quadruple Helix model in Tunisia, Turkey, Egypt, Spain, Greece and Italy. These activities will play a key role in transferring knowledge and creating integrated sustainable development models.

To this aim, CUEIM will lead the creation of a cross-border operational team composed of bilateral Chambers of Commerce in the Mediterranean area, strategic partners and associated partners. This network will be essential in promoting a circular, energy-efficient, and sustainable textile sector. CUEIM will also be responsible for developing a shared knowledge framework that addresses the rules, risks, and resources relevant to the textile sector, with a particular emphasis on the EU’s new EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles.

After the successful experience with the Leadership of the ENI CBC MED MedArtSal (2019–2023), focused on sustainable management models for Mediterranean artisanal salt pans, CUEIM is now excited to start its new adventure in the NEXT MED Programme, by leading such a challenging project, leveraging its extensive experience in international project management, to contribute to the transformation of the Mediterranean textile sector by promoting sustainability, innovation, and cross-border cooperation.

Indeed, with a focus on sustainability and good business management models, the project will not only improve the environmental impact of the textile industry but will also create new economic opportunities and foster social inclusiveness in the Mediterranean region.

Project Title: MEDinCHAMBERS – Enhancing Cross-Border Governance in Textile Value Chains
Program: Interreg NEXT MED
Priority: A better cooperation governance of the Mediterranean
Budget: € 1.445.882 (EU Contribution: € 1.286.432)
Duration: 24 months
Project Partners:
• CUEIM – University Consortium for Industrial and Managerial Economy – Italy
• CERTH – Centre for Research and Technology Hellas – Greece
• CCIB – Cámara Italiana Barcelona – Spain
• CTICI – Chambre Tuniso Italienne de Commerce et d’Industrie – Tunisia
• CEEBA – Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations – Egypt
• CCIIZMIR – Izmir Italyan Ticaret Odasi Dernegi – Turkey
• Consorci de la Ribera – Spain