European Fashion Alliance

Associação ModaLisboa is a founding member of the European Fashion Alliance (EFA), the first transnational alliance of European fashion institutions — Fashion Councils, Research and Education institutions, and leading European Fashion Weeks such as Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and London Fashion Week. Founded in Frankfurt in June 2022, the EFA acts as a collective voice advocating for and accelerating the transition of European fashion towards a more sustainable, innovative, inclusive and creative future.

The EFA aims to make a significant contribution towards achieving a carbon-neutral, socially and environmentally sustainable, non-toxic and fully circular textile industry, while also raising awareness among fashion producers, Designers and consumers. To this end, it has defined four main objectives to be achieved by 2027, based on four pillars: Sustainability, Education, Policy and Innovation.

1 – Definition of an ethical, social and sustainable code of conduct for EFA members and, by extension, for the fashion industry.

2 – A new Green Deal for Fashion at European level, representing fashion culture and businesses, founded on a circular and social ecosystem based on data sharing and a common measurement system.

3 – Creation and implementation of training in Sustainability and Technology, as well as social and cultural responsibility practices for the EFA’s key stakeholders.

4 – Empowerment of Generation Z and younger generations as leading forces in the digital, circular and social transition of the fashion industry.

The EFA advocates initiatives such as the Ecodesign Regulation and the Digital Product Passport to promote sustainability, while highlighting creativity and innovation, as well as artisanal heritage, as fundamental pillars of the European fashion industry.

As a founding member of the European Fashion Alliance, Associação ModaLisboa has contributed to the dissemination and activation of European initiatives such as the Status of European Fashion survey (report available for download), which outline practical strategies to steer the European fashion industry towards a sustainable and inclusive future, and Climate Adaptation in the Fashion Sector (JUST FASHION – Horizon Europe), which analyses the impact of the climate crisis on production systems and contributes to the development of adaptation strategies within the industrial context.

At the same time, it promoted the Report on the Needs of the European Creativity-Driven Fashion Industry 2025 (available for download), supporting the identification of the sector’s challenges and opportunities, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Structured around seven thematic areas — Sustainability; Innovation and Digitalisation; Education and Skills; Communication and Distribution; Responsible Consumption; Systemic Support and Fair Competitive Conditions; Strengthening the Value Chain — the report presents 63 recommendations addressed to European Union institutions in order to strengthen the sector’s sustainability, innovation and competitiveness, including:

– Creation of a European Fashion Hub — an EU-supported digital platform for SMEs, providing regulatory guidance, sustainability tools, funding information, mentoring and innovation resources.

– Reduced VAT on certified sustainable materials, harmonised sustainability certifications at European level, and strengthened support for local production.

– Development of Europe-wide awareness campaigns to promote responsible fashion consumption.

– Dedicated funding for Research & Development specifically aimed at the creative industries, circular business models, and local and sustainable production.

– A comprehensive economic study to quantify the true value and impact of Europe’s creative fashion sector.