Strengthening European collaboration and innovation at the Enterprise Europe Network Sector Group Textiles meeting 2026 in Milano and Torino, Italy
From 29 June to 2 July 2026, Emilija Andonova, Programme Manager, participated in the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Sector Group Textiles Meeting in Milano and Torino, Italy, bringing together textile, fashion, retail, innovation, and business support experts from across Europe and beyond. The four-day event provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, networking, strategic discussions, and the development of new opportunities to support SMEs operating in the textile and fashion sectors.
Exploring the future through foresight
The event commenced in Milano with a decentralized training session entitled “Shaping the Future: How EEN Advisors Can Support SMEs with Foresight Tools.” Participants explored strategic foresight methodologies, emerging trends, and future-oriented approaches that can help SMEs better anticipate change, identify opportunities, and strengthen their resilience in an increasingly complex global environment. The training highlighted the importance of integrating foresight into SME advisory services, enabling businesses to prepare for technological, environmental, and market transformations rather than simply reacting to them.
Advancing the work of the Sector Group Textiles
The official Sector Group Textiles Meeting in Torino brought together EEN advisors, European Commission representatives, sector experts, and stakeholders to discuss priorities for the 2025–2028 activity period. Participants received updates on new strategies, working groups, collaborations, and network developments, while sharing experiences and success stories from previous initiatives, company missions, and capacity-building activities. A significant part of the discussions focused on supporting SMEs through innovation, sustainability, internationalisation, and digital transformation. Sessions addressed intellectual property protection, opportunities within the Chinese market, European policy developments, and upcoming funding opportunities under Horizon Europe.
Contributing to the working group on Communication
As a member of the Sector Group Textiles Working Group on Communication, Emilija Andonova contributed to discussions on the group’s Action Plan 2025. The working group explored ways to strengthen communication across the network, increase the visibility of SME support opportunities, promote success stories, and improve collaboration among stakeholders. Effective communication remains a key factor in ensuring that innovative businesses can access relevant information, partnerships, and international opportunities.
Building Cross-Sector collaboration
A key highlight of the event was the joint meeting between the Sector Group Textiles and Sector Group Retail. The session emphasized the growing interconnection between manufacturing, retail, sustainability, digitalisation, and consumer expectations. Participants engaged in team-building activities, networking exchanges, and discussions on emerging trends affecting both sectors. The meeting reinforced the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing common challenges and creating innovative solutions for European businesses.
International partnerships and business opportunities
The programme also included the Torino Fashion Match, featuring B2B meetings and visionary talks dedicated to topics such as artificial intelligence, digital fashion, sustainability, innovation, and internationalisation. These activities created opportunities for participants to establish new partnerships, exchange expertise, and identify potential areas for future cooperation. The event demonstrated how international collaboration can accelerate innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of European SMEs.
Special attention was given to the FAB-BUS Project, an initiative connecting textile, fashion, creative, and design clusters from Italy, Morocco, and Bulgaria. The project serves as an excellent example of how cross-border cooperation can generate long-term business opportunities and strengthen regional innovation ecosystems.
Experiencing Innovation through Fashion
The event concluded with networking activities and participation in Torino Fashion Week, where international designers and brands showcased innovative approaches to fashion, sustainability, and creativity. These experiences provided valuable insight into emerging industry trends and highlighted the growing role of technology, circularity, and international collaboration in shaping the future of the textile and fashion sectors.
The Enterprise Europe Network Sector Group Textiles Meeting 2026 reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing in supporting SMEs and strengthening Europe’s textile ecosystem. The event provided not only valuable learning opportunities but also a platform for establishing new partnerships and exploring future initiatives that can contribute to sustainable growth, competitiveness, and international cooperation. We look forward to building on the connections and insights gained during the meeting and transforming them into concrete actions that support businesses and innovation across Europe.
