Μπορείτε όμως να διαβάσετε στα ελληνικά την περιγραφή του προγράμματος στο οποίο αφορά το άρθρο εδώ: FABLE
Last week, we had the FABLE partnership meeting in Budapest. During the meeting, we evaluated the outcomes and experiences of the project so far and spent some quality time together reflecting on the socio-ecological and political implications related to the topic of fashion.
FABLE aims to connect discussions on sustainability with creativity, particularly in the fashion industry, to create inclusive and participatory spaces for empowering youth. We have already compiled a list of activities that can be used by individuals interested in non-formal education, art-based methodologies, and creative sustainable businesses. These activities are openly accessible online at: https://fable-project.eu/training-curriculum/
Currently, we are in the final stages of preparing a special toolbox/toolkit that focuses on how to create youth spaces, promote meaningful participation, and challenge mainstream sustainability. Among the activities in the document, natural dyeing gave the transitional meeting participants a lot to think about.
Natural dyeing goes beyond using eco-friendly materials; it also opens up spaces for discussing socio-ecological transformations. Here are some key points we identified from the evaluation process of the pilot testing of the toolkit:
- Natural dyeing requires more time and effort compared to readily available market solutions. Ecological alternatives are difficult and expensive to find. However, these challenges are not specific to natural dyeing but rather indicate structural issues within a system that relies on fast production and consumption to maximize profits. This system is interconnected with other growth-dependent systems in our lives.
- Sometimes, finding the necessary ingredients for natural dyeing can be hard or expensive. However, looking for these resources within the community could be a solution, encouraging us to mobilize ourselves and turn individual actions into common, collaborative efforts.
- It’s essential not to underestimate the inequalities within and between communities when it comes to accessing knowledge, skills, sufficient ingredients, energy, and time required for regular engagement in natural dyeing. Even if we find local, sustainable solutions, it doesn’t automatically resolve global justice issues. Addressing these injustices requires greater active involvement, potentially through exploring the concept of “geographies of responsibilities” and pushing for more participatory and direct forms of decision making and governance. Such actions would necessitate more social organizing and political action. What might these approaches look like? An important question to be explored in the upcoming FABLE activities.
- The diverse outcomes achieved through natural dyeing, resulting from varying amounts of water, temperature, time, and ingredients, makes it fascinating. Each coloring becomes a unique representation of life’s diversity, offering a wonderful opportunity to showcase the richness of our world. Consider how different solutions and approaches respond to various realities.
Our next step is to establish a network of practitioners dedicated to FABLE topics. Through this network, we aim to engage in a series of organized meetings where we can collectively reflect on our approaches and practices. We will also be delving into aspects of global justice and challenging our perspectives on sustainability and fashion. By “us,” I mean those practitioners who currently adhere to more mainstream approaches to sustainability and possess a Westernized understanding of the world. This initiative will encourage critical self-reflection and promote a broader, more inclusive outlook on these crucial matters.
Do you like what you have read? Are you interested in these topics? Are you working in the fields of youth, sustainability, and fashion? Contact Amerissa Giannouli at giannouli@interaliaproject.com and find out how you could get involved in the rest of the project’s activities.
