Rome, Italy – February 2025: Over the course of two pivotal days, February 19-20, 2025, key players in the Italian textile and fashion industry gathered in Rome for the StitchTogether National Seminar. The event, a cornerstone of the EU co-funded StitchTogether project, brought together prominent stakeholders to address the implications of upcoming EU legislations on the industry, while laying the groundwork for stronger social partnerships. Central to the seminar was the creation of the Rome Declaration, a unified statement underscoring the commitment of social partners to collaborate for the advancement of the industry.
The seminar welcomed representatives from all facets of the Italian textile sector, including the Italian employer association Confindustria Moda, national trade unions Femca-Cisl, Filctem-Cgil, and Uiltec-Uil, as well as regional clusters and companies. This diverse coalition of stakeholders came together to deliberate on the future of Italy’s textile and fashion industry. Discussions were focused on drafting a robust sectoral industrial policy strategy to present to the Italian Government and the European Commission. Their collective goal is to secure support for the consolidation, transformation, and sustainable development of the textile-clothing supply chain, a critical pillar of Italy’s economy.
The Rome Declaration articulates a series of shared priorities aimed at fostering a more competitive, fair, and forward-looking textile industry in Italy. The document calls upon the Italian Government and the European Union to provide vital support in navigating the transformation of the industry through technological advancements, workforce upskilling, regional economic growth, and a just transition to sustainable practices.
Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of IndustriAll Europe, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “The Italian textile industry employs approximately 300,000 workers, accounting for 24% of the European workforce in the sector, making it the largest in Europe. Amidst challenges such as globalization pressures, the green and digital transitions, social dialogue emerges as a crucial mechanism for enhancing working conditions and ensuring job security. We stand firmly with our Italian partners in creating a resilient and thriving textile industry.”
Similarly, Dirk Vantyghem, Director General of EURATEX, highlighted Italy’s unparalleled significance within the European textile and fashion industry. “Italy represents 36% of the total European textile and fashion market. It is therefore critical to preserve and strengthen the Italian textile sector, which serves as a benchmark for the rest of Europe. The key to success lies in seamlessly combining quality, creativity, and innovation. Achieving this requires an energetic and cohesive spirit of collaboration between employers and employees,” he remarked.
The StitchTogether initiative continues to champion social partnerships as a cornerstone of the European textile and clothing industry’s future. The adoption of the Rome Declaration marks a defining moment in Italy’s commitment to strengthening its textile sector. It sets the stage for enduring collaboration between stakeholders, ensuring that the industry remains competitive while embracing the necessary transitions in technology, sustainability, and workforce development.
