The coordinator of the MetaSkills4TCLF project is
CTCP - Portuguese Footwear Technological Centre.

CTCP is a private, non-profit organization, founded in 1986, with facilities in the north of Portugal near the main Footwear industrial areas. CTCP aims to support all companies within the Portuguese Footwear Cluster in various areas related to their competitiveness, including Quality Control, Consultancy, Training, Marketing and Promotion, Research and Development, Health & Safety, Environment, Business Intelligence, Studies, and Comparative Research. In the field of training/employment, CTCP offers a wide range of courses in several modalities, such as classical training, work-based learning, training-action, and b-learning.

With extensive experience in National and Europan projects and a partnership with more than 150 national and 50 international partners, CTCP has been at the service of the industry since 1986.

More information www.ctcp.pt

A APICCAPS – Portuguese Footwear, Components, Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association - is a nation-wide association based in Porto, founded in 1975 and representing the following business sectors

Footwear industry / Footwear components industry / Leather goods industry (bags, wallets, gloves, belts, etc.) / Equipment for the above mentioned sectors

More information www.apiccaps.pt

“ATP - Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal” (Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal) is an employers’ association that ca. 500 companies from the entire Portuguese textile and clothing sector.

“ATP” was the result of a merger between APIM (the Portuguese Knitting and Clothes Manufacturing Industries Association) and APT (the Portuguese Textile and Clothing Association), which took place in July 2003. ATP has become not only the biggest organization representing the Portuguese Textile and Clothing Sector, but also one of the most important in Europe.

More information atp.pt

The Valencian Association of Footwear Entrepreneurs (AVECAL), was established on the 7th of October, 2010 as a non profit professional association with the aim of representing and defending the interests of footwear entrepreneurs based in the Valencia Community. AVECAL collects the experience and knowhow of previous footwear associations operating in the main regional footwear districts.

More information avecal.es

The City of Borås is governed by politicians who have been directly elected by citizens. This means that, as a citizen, you can influence and follow how the city and Borås Municipality perform their duties through their administrative departments.

Geography
Borås is located at the point of two crossing railways, among them the railway between Gothenburg and Kalmar, and is often considered[citation needed] the Swedish city gaining the most from the nationwide railway system laid between 1870 and 1910.

History
The city of Borås received its privileges in 1621 by King Gustav II Adolf. The reason was to give local pedlars a legal place for vending their merchandise (and for the government the ability to collect taxes on this trade). The city developed soon after it was founded. After a century it had increased to over 2,000 inhabitants. Borås has been ravaged by fires four times: in 1681, 1727, 1822 and 1827. The Caroli church is the oldest of Borås's buildings, and has withstood all fires.

Industry
The city arms depicts two pairs of sheep shears, a tribute to the vast number of smiths in the town in early history. It currently holds the Swedish record in the number of established mail-order firms.

The company RISEis based in the city, as well as Ericsson, which has a large manufacturing plant where Mini-Link microwave radios are manufactured. Worldwide clothing retailer H&M have their worldwide Online office based in the city as well.

Outside the city in the industrial park of Viared, there are many companies specializing in logistics. Industries in Borås have close collaboration with the University College of Borås as well as the RISE Technical Research Institute of Sweden, the largest technical research institute of Sweden, both located in Borås. Besides being the home of the official Swedish Kilogram-weight and the atomic clock that sets the national time, RISEconducts various testing and research to promote consumer safety.

More information www.boras.se/english

The European Footwear Confederation (CEC) was created more than 40 years ago as THE VOICE of the European footwear industry in Brussels. The organisation gathers the major footwear national associations of the European Union, representing approximately 84% of footwear production.

The CEC main objective is to support the competitiveness and growth of the industry by interacting with EU institutions and other international organisations on different policies, and by facilitating fruitful collaboration between all categories of stakeholders thanks to the participation in European projects and international initiatives.

More information cec-footwearindustry.eu

CITEVE is a Technological Centre, non-for profit organization, settled in Portugal (Vila Nova de Famalicão), strongly connected to the world through international offices in Brazil, Tunisia, Pakistan, Chile and Mexico. CITEVE means textile knowledge and expertise along the textile & clothing value chain. From materials technology, across product and business management, to fashion and technical applications for high-tech markets. CITEVE service portfolio comprise Product and Material Testing, Product Designs, Engineering & Certification, Specialized Consulting and Training, Technology Development, Business and Innovation Management.

More information www.citeve.pt

The National Centre for the Development of Professional and Technical Education (CNDIPT) contributes to the development of quality and attractive initial VET in Romania, which offers equal opportunities to every student to acquire a qualification and continue his education throughout his life.

CNDIPT is a regulatory body established at national level, subordinated to the Ministry of Education that proposes principles of educational policy, coordinates scientific innovation and development of IVET system, offers scientific coordination and develops methodologies for TVET Training Standards and curriculum, ensures development of social partnership in TVET at national, regional and local levels.

Since 2018, Confindustria Moda groups together companies associated with Assocalzaturifici (National Association of Italian Shoe Manufacturers), Assopellettieri (National Association of Italian leather manufacturers), AIP (Italian Fur Association) and UNIC (Italian Tanneries).

It represents around 11,000 companies, which generate a turnover of 33 billion euros and employ around 145.000 workers (2022 data). Companies represented by Confindustria Moda represent the excellence of Italian manufacturing, hold leadership positions in international markets and recorded exports worth 22.8 billion euros in the first 10 months of 2023.

Through its Centro Studi, the Federation implements research activities and analyse statistical and economic data related to the represented sectors.

The Federation offer to “associated” companies the following services: training, with particular attention to technical aspects / support to internationalisation through organisation of missions and fairs abroad / events and communication services.

More information www.confindustriamoda.it

COTANCE is the representative body of the European Leather Industry. It is a non-for-profit umbrella organisation gathering the network of leather producers’ associations of the EU connecting with over 95% of all European tanneries. COTANCE is composed by the most important European associations related to leather (IT, ES, FR, DE, UK, PT, NL, SE, DK, AT, HU).

COTANCE develops active coordination policies in the areas of environmental performance, social accountability, corporate social responsibility, R&D&I as well as education & training and image & communication. COTANCE is the employer’s side of the sectoral social partners at EU level.

More information euroleather.com

The General Directorate of Vocational Training (FP) of the Valencian Community has several key functions, including:

• Planning and Organization: Develop and coordinate vocational training policies in the community, ensuring alignment with labor market needs.

• Program Development: Design and implement vocational training programs tailored to various economic sectors and competency demands.

• Regulation and Control: Establish regulations and standards for vocational training centers, ensuring the quality of education and training.

• Collaboration with Businesses: Promote collaboration between educational institutions and businesses to facilitate the labor integration of students.

• Guidance and Counseling: Provide information and guidance to students and professionals about training opportunities and career development.

• Evaluation and Improvement: Conduct periodic evaluations of vocational training programs and propose improvements to optimize the offered training.

More information ceice.gva.es

The European Apparel and Textile Confederation is the voice of the European textile and clothing industry and aims to create a favourable environment within the European Union for the manufacture of textile and clothing products. With its 143,000 EU companies employing 1.5 million workers, this industry has reinvented itself through investment in innovation, creativity, advanced manufacturing technologies, market diversification and internationalisation. It grows again, creating manufacturing jobs while generating over €150 billion in turnover.

More information euratex.eu

In representing the senior field of competence deriving from the institute´s roots as first German leather institute, research activities are focused on the whole process of manufacturing technology: New, sustainable leather technologies, biogenic auxiliaries, closed material cycles or the reuse of waste are some of the topics. Therefore, research works comprise fundamental approaches but also optimisation concepts for technologies, formulations and auxiliaries.

FILK researches and develops new materials from collagen as well as process technology for these materials. These processes are accompanied with specific analytical methods in biochemistry, cell culture, collagen analysis, microbiology. The institute´s accredited test lab is a reliable partner of the leather industry and their customers from the automotive, upholstery and shoe industry. FILK Institute is organiser of a variety of different events, such as various conferences and further education seminars and further vocational education and training.

More information www.filkfreiberg.de

The Hellenic Clothing Industry Association (HCIA) is a non profit industrial association established in Athens in 1962. It represents Greek companies from all sub-sectors of the clothing industry (men, women and children’s clothing, underwear, swimwear, shirts and fashion accessories).

HCIA’s activities
• Represents the sector’s companies vis-à-vis International, European and National authorities • Provides information and consulting relating the commercial, industrial and social policy matters • Participates in the negotiation of sectoral and regional collective agreements • Disseminates information on technological, industrial, commercial and economic issues • Represents the industry in International and European sectoral organisations (Euratex and Ginetex).

In addition, HCIA manages the Textiles and Clothing Design Lab, which is established since 2016 and offers the following services to local designers and industries
• Product design (cad facilities, design software etc.) • Small scale product prototyping facilities (in co-operation with the Athens make-lab) Sourcing services • Fashion trends, information and analysis • Training services for SMEs and young designers (e.g. branding, export marketing, product cost analysis etc.) • Social networking (artists, designers, SMEs, retailers, schools, consumers, exhibition organisers, export promoters, heritage foundations, research organisations, etc.) • Processing and preparation for clustering and new labs development.

More information www.hcia.eu

A century-old institution, ITECH Lyon, member of the Conférence des grandes écoles and associated to the University of Lyon, is an engineering school created and supported by professional federations and companies. ITECH Lyon trains engineers in the field of polymers and their applications, in particular in plastic materials, textiles, composites, formulation chemistry (paints, inks, adhesives and cosmetics) as well as in leather and its uses (shoe making, leather goods).

ITECH’s links with industry are amongst its strong points. These are translated through strong partnerships in the R&D fields. ITECH Lyon and its subsidiary, ITECH Entreprises, offer scientific and technical contractual services in the form of industrial studies, trials, consulting, material leasing and vocational training. This allows the teaching at ITECH to be rooted in the real world and always up to speed with technological innovations.

More information www.itech.fr

The Leather Cluster Barcelona is a private and non-profit association that represents the interests of the companies and agents in the leather industry in Catalonia. The Leather Cluster Barcelona has the mission to join, coordinate and stimulate efforts for all companies and agents in the value chain of the leather sector in Catalonia, in order to increase their competitiveness, improve their efficiency and promote growth of the joint business. Boosting synergies and promoting business, training and business collaboration between companies, research and knowledge centers and other agents in the leather sector is one of the key objectives of the Leather Cluster Barcelona.

More information leatherbarcelona.com

Łukasiewicz – ŁIT began its operations in 2022. It was created from the merger of three research institutes. The core activity of the Łukasiewicz – Łódź Institute of Technology is the implementation of research projects and international cooperation in the field of scientific research, development work and commercialization.

ŁIT covers 4 key research areas: Digital Transformation, Smart Mobility, Sustainable Economy and Energy and Health.

More information lit.lukasiewicz.gov.pl

Originally established for the footwear industry, the Testing and Research Institute Pirmasens (PFI) has developed into a state-of-the-art global center for services and research.

PFI's decades of experience and the contributions of its qualified experts have propelled it into a diverse range of fields beyond footwear. The PFI offers material testing, develops state-of-the-art testing equipment, provides certification services, and offers comprehensive training programs. Additionally, the PFI spearheads ongoing industry-relevant research projects with the goal of advancing modern technologies, pioneering innovative solutions, and discovering new applications for materials. Within PFI, the “International Shoe Competence Center” (ISC) focuses specifically on vocational training, consultancy, and research in the areas of footwear production, comfort and health.

More information www.pfi-germany.de

Fondazione PIN – Polo di Prato dell’Università di Firenze, is a non-profit consortium with majority public share, funded in 1992. It is financed with funds coming from its own activities and with private as well as public resources, and manages the Prato Campus of the University of Florence. It is a bridge to close the gap between university and local society.

Overall, PIN is an innovative hub in Prato, that connects 3 different areas: Research and innovative business services, Vocational training, University. In the first area PIN supports the activities of 45 Labs, that are linked with the Schools of Engineering, Economics, Textile and Fashion, Political Sciences, Humanities, Design, Chemicals, Agriculture, Medicine. LABs are research groups of experts from business and the university of Florence gathered around a specific business sector or activity, able to offer their expertise and skills to provide advice for private companies and Public Administrations.

In vocational training, PIN's activities include planning, managing, and delivering high-level training courses. These courses cater to both public and private customers and are funded either by PIN itself or by public funds (EU, national, or local). They have a strong multidisciplinary approach and are developed based on continuous analysis of the evolving labor market and economic trends. In area higher education, PIN supports services to 11 degrees of the University of Florence based in Prato Campus. Main shareholders are the University of Florence, Municipality of Prato, Province of Prato, Chamber of Commerce, CariPrato Bank Foundation, main Entrepreneurial Associations and other private and public bodies of the local area.

More information www.pin.unifi.it

Politecnico Calzaturiero is the main structure of training, services and technological transfer of the Riviera del Brenta Footwear District, where footwear of absolute excellence are design, manufactured and produced.

Within the District there are more than 500 companies, which involve more than 10.000 employees and produce each year more than 20 million of pair of shoes. Starting from the smallest laboratories and arriving to the biggest luxurey brands' factories, it is the exemplary quality of our shoes that representa the historical and artistic heritage of the Riviera del Brenta.

The embryonic relationship between Politecnico and the Riviera del Brenta's companies, the involvment of experts and trainers coming from the nbest kown factories, the itnernational network of schools and research centers: this is what makes Politecnico Calzaturiero a foundamental source of development and forge of talent in the district. The 95% of the District's workers are trained in our School.

More information politecnicocalzaturiero.it

SPIN 360 was born in 2009 to shape and structure the work that Federico Brugnoli has been carrying out since 1997.

SPIN 360 has since grown and now operates in several industries: Fashion & design, Leather, Textile & Apparel, Footwear, Electricity, Automotive, Batteries, Wood and Furniture, Banking & Finance, Electric Energy Production & Distribution, Pulp & Paper.

We are a consulting firm that specialises in the development of new sustainable business models and technologically and organisationally innovative solutions.

More information spin360.biz/

The “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University is a high-end research and education institution. Its mission is to carry out specific activities to create, to exploit and to transfer knowledge to the society in fundamental areas – Technical Sciences, Architecture and Urbanism – as well as in interdisciplinary and complementary fields, involving the local community, as well as regional, national and international levels.

The “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, according to its mission and objectives set out in The University Charter, is assuming the role of education, scientific research and cultural institution.

The research centre A3 of the University of Lleida, includes whole value chain of the leather sector to incorporate innovative leather articles to the market. A3 Center is involved in research projects and technology transfer, working in collaboration with chemical companies, tanners, as well as leather manufacturing companies, improving their competitiveness in the international market. A3 Center staff includes 10 PhD Researchers, 5 Researchers and 6 PhD students.

A3 Center expertise is the development of innovation projects, research and technology transfer for the different actors of the value chain of the leather sector (slaughterhouses, tanneries, manufacturing companies, chemical companies, waste treatments), as well as the specialized training of researchers in leather:

• R&D&I of new processes, technologies and products in the leather, textile sector focused on improving the environmental impact
• Technical, analytical, expert services and advice
• Recovery of by-products and waste as a source of raw materials
• Development and optimization of bioprocesses
• Biotechnology of agricultural and forest waste
• xtraction of polyphenols from vegetable sources.
• Application of nanotechnology in leather, paper and textiles to obtain innovative properties.
• Study of the life cycle of products and processes.
• Study of the application of the Circular Economy in the chemical and tannery sector.

The activity of the A3 Chair develops in different fields. On the one hand, technological services, which include chemical and physical analyses, technical advice, environmental management, training and dissemination, experimental piloting studies in tanning and waste valorisation and, on the other hand, research, development and innovation that focus on private R&D contracts with companies. A3 Center participates in national and international R+D programs in collaboration different international actors of the value chain of the leather sector (tanning companies, leather goods companies, chemical companies, etc.). Open new scenarios in the tanning of skins thanks to scientific advances such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and environmental sustainability of the processes and products of the tanning industry, are some of the objectives pursued by the research projects of A3 Center.

More information www.udl.cat

Ukrainian Association of Light Industry Enterprises "UKRLEGPROM" was founded in 2000 to strategically represent the interests of of the textile, clothing, leather and footwear manufacturing sector (#TCLF). Ukrlegprom is a powerful cluster business association of national level with sectoral influence. It has a history, institutional memory, authority at the state, national and international levels, and unites more than 270 leading enterprises and 1,000 infopartners companies in the sector of fashion industry. The members of the Association produce more than 60% of the total volume of branch goods. The Mission of Ukrlegprom: effective B&G dialogue, promoting B&B, B&I, B&S, B&C for growth.

The main goals: sustainable innovative development of #TCLF; successful integration of Ukraine into the European textile ecosystem; promotion of the sector and its professions. To implement these tasks, the Association constantly cooperates with government, scientific and educational institutions, public and international organizations.

More information ukrlegprom.org

The University of Florence has its origins in the Studium Generale that the Florentine republic decided to establish in 1321. The disciplines taught at the time were civil and canon law, literature and medicine. Many famous names were called upon as lecturers: Giovanni Boccaccio was commissioned to give lectures on the Divina Commedia.

The importance of the Studium was sanctioned by a Papal Bull issued by Pope Clement VI, which recognised and validated the qualifications it awarded, extended the privilegia maxima already granted to the Universities of Bologna and Paris, and established the Faculty of Theology. In 1364 with Emperor Charles IV, the Florentine Studium became an imperial university. When they came to rule in Tuscany, the Medici moved it to Pisa in 1472. From that year on, transfers became frequent, depending on changes of government. Charles VIII brought it back to Florence from 1497 to 1515 when, with the return of the Medici, the Studium was again moved to Pisa. Many teaching departments remained in Florence even after this date, whereas research was well supported in the numerous Academies that had flourished in the meantime, such as the Crusca and the Cimento.

More information www.unifi.it