Welcome to
Building Regional Skills Partnerships for the Future of Textiles, Clothing, Leather & Footwear
ABOUT SKILLBRIDGE
TCLF SkillBridge is a European initiative funded under the Single Market Programme. Coordinated by EURATEX with the support of CEC (European Footwear Confederation) and COTANCE (European Leather Confederation), the project builds on the EU TCLF Pact for Skills launched in 2021.
Our mission is to establish and strengthen Regional Skills Partnerships (RSPs) across Europe in the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sectors. These partnerships bring together companies, education and training providers, and regional authorities to address urgent skills needs linked to the green and digital transitions.
Through mapping, regional workshops, peer learning and mobility programmes, and a dedicated Call for Services, SkillBridge supports SMEs to upskill and reskill their workforce. The ultimate goal is to transform these collaborations into formal regional skills partnerships under the Pact for Skills, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability.
MAIN OBJECTIVES OF TCLF SKILLBRIDGE
Establish Regional Skills Partnerships (RSPs): Set up at least 8 multi-stakeholder RSPs in TCLF regions, aligned with the EU Pact for Skills.
Support Regional Stakeholders: Provide tools, workshops, and guidance to help regions organise governance, define work programmes, and act.
Fund targeted SME Actions: Launch a €500,000 Call for Services to support at least 10 projects delivering training, mentoring, mobility, and apprenticeships.
Foster Collaboration: Promote peer learning, cross-regional exchanges, and networking to share best practices across Europe.
Ensure Long-term Sustainability: Monitor progress, benchmark results, and develop sustainability plans and funding strategies for long-term impact.
10 TCLF REGIONAL SKILLS PARTNERSHIP SELECTED TO DELIVER SERVICES TO SMES IN THEIR REGIONS
The projects is pleased to announce that 10 tenders have been selected for funding under the TCLF SkillBridge Call for Services, supporting the implementation of Regional Skills Partnerships across Europe.
With a total budget of €450,000, each selected partnership will receive up to €45,000 to deliver tailor-made services for SMEs in the textiles, clothing, leather and footwear sectors, focusing on skills development, apprenticeships, mentorship, sustainability planning and other practical support responding to regional needs.
This marks an important step in translating Regional Skills Partnership work programmes into concrete actions, strengthening SME competitiveness and advancing the objectives of the EU Pact for Skills across Europe’s regions.
OFFICIALISED TCLF SKILLBRIDGE REGIONAL SKILLS PARTNERSHIPS
The TCLF SkillBridge project is expected to support the development and signing of at least 8 Regional Skills Partnership for the TCLF sector. Many of these are in development and are due to be officiliased throughout 2026.
REGIONAL SKILLS PARTNERSHIP FOR TEXTILES AUVERGNE-RHONE-ALPES
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is France’s leading textile region, with over 800 establishments and 18,000 professionals. It supports a wide range of activities, from luxury fabrics and technical textiles to traditional craftsmanship such as silk weaving and Jacquard loom production.
The Regional Skills Partnership for Textile Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes aims to build a strong and adaptable workforce. By fostering innovation, improving training systems, and uniting policymakers, businesses and educators, it aims to strengthen the sector’s adaptability and competitiveness.
BENCHMARKING STATUS REGIONAL SKILLS PARTNERSHIPS
To ensure real progress, TCLF SkillBridge uses a benchmarking approach to track how partnerships evolve from initial collaboration to fully operational initiatives. This structured framework supports the monitoring of commitments, measures development over time, and highlights the impact of partnerships as they begin to deliver tangible results for skills development in the TCLF sector.
The process begins with Partnership Setup Workshops, where regional stakeholders come together to explore the potential for establishing a TCLF Regional Skills Partnership. This is followed by the development of a dedicated work programme and the opportunity to submit a tender proposal for the Call for Services. As partnerships mature, they move towards formalisation and full operational status. The journey is complemented by National Networking Events, which bring stakeholders together to exchange experiences and share best practices with other regions.
AUVERGNE-RHÔNE-ALPES (T&C)
ATTICA (TCLF)
BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG (L&F)
VALENCIAN COMMUNITY (T&C)
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
CAMPANIA (L)
TUSCANY (L&F)
CATALONIA (T&C)
NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE (T&C)
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
CENTRAL PORTUGAL (TCLF)
FLANDERS (TCLF)
ŁODZIE (TCLF)
EMILIA ROMAGNA (TCLF)
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
- Partnership Setup Workshops
- Draft Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- Stakeholders involved in the Call for Services
- Complete Regional Skills Partnership Work Programme
- National Networking Event
THE PROJECT CONSORTIUM
The consortium is formed by EURATEX, CEC, and COTANCE, umbrella organisations representing the interests of the European Textile and Clothing, Footwear, and Leather industries, respectively. They engage in various activities to promote their industries’ competitiveness and sustainable growth, including research and innovation support, free and fair trade, and education and training.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.