Collaborative solutions ​for a heritage & consumer sensitive ​relocalization ​ of sustainable, circular, and innovative ​Alpine textile value chains

Textile value chains need an urgent change being one of the most polluting sectors with a massive potential for CO2 reduction. The Alps have a rich textile heritage with specific aesthetics & knowhow based on values of circularity&sensitivity to local resources (e.g. wool, linen, dyeing plants). Now that consumers are critical of products from globalised value chains & increasingly desire living sustainable lifestyles, such heritage could contribute to re-territorialise Alpine textile value chains, long disrupted by global sourcing & the offshoring of production, thus boosting natural local resources, projecting an attractive image capable of justifying the higher prices of Alpine products & fostering regional development & jobs creation. AlpTextyles will develop collaborative solutions accelerating the relocalisation of sustainable, circular Alpine textile value chains sensitive to natural&cultural resources and capturing consumers’ desire for postcarbon lifestyles, thus improving cross-border cooperation. These will include: 1 Orientation guides helping firms to innovate in a heritage-sensitive & circular manner 2 Toolkits helping cultural institutions safeguard textile heritage 3 Policy brief addressing the EU strategy for sustainable textiles & forthcoming geographical indications for heritage products, EUSALP action plans & regional authorities’ policies; 4 MOOC raising awareness & building capacity on Alpine textile heritage and its circular future. AlpTextyles is innovative as it brings to the table of Alpine cooperation a relevant so far neglected discussion; generates insights on consumers' desire to dress in a more CO2 neutral manner & perceived image/willingness to pay for Alpine products; builds a case for cross-border cooperation, normally hindered by policies fostering 100% local/national value chains; combines cultural & business expertise generating counter-intuitive cross-sectoral recommendations for agricultural, industrial & cultural policy.