Although AKMI primarily provides vocational education and training to adult learners, the organisation recognises that, through educational activities, internships, volunteering actions, partnerships with schools and agencies, and participation in European projects, staff members, students and associates may engage directly or indirectly with minors. For this reason, AKMI has updated and strengthened its Child Protection Policy to ensure that children are protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination or harm.

The updated policy sets out AKMI’s principles, procedures and responsibilities regarding child safeguarding. It provides guidance on appropriate conduct when working with children, safe recruitment and vetting procedures, complaints and grievance mechanisms, the role of the designated Child Protection Officer, abuse reporting procedures, and the monitoring and evaluation of safeguarding measures. It also includes practical annexes on the use of media and children’s images, interviewing children, awareness-raising, data protection and confidentiality, national helplines, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Through this updated policy, AKMI aims to ensure that all employees, students, partners, volunteers and external collaborators are aware of their responsibilities and are equipped to recognise, prevent and respond to potential safeguarding concerns. Particular emphasis is placed on prevention, transparency, confidentiality, timely reporting, cooperation with competent authorities, and the continuous improvement of safeguarding practices.

The publication of the updated Child Protection Policy reflects AKMI’s broader commitment to quality, accountability and ethical practice in education and training. It also supports the organisation’s participation in European and international initiatives, where the protection, dignity and meaningful participation of children and young people are essential priorities.

AKMI remains committed to promoting a culture of protection, respect and responsibility, ensuring that the rights and well-being of children are safeguarded across all relevant activities and collaborations.

The full updated Child Protection Policy is available below.

The FEA-VEE (Fashion Earth Alliance – Vocational Excellence and Enterprise) initiative has released its consolidated policy report, capturing four years of efforts across Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Romania, Spain, and Sweden. Funded by the European Union under Erasmus+, FEA-VEE has focused on bridging education and industry, promoting sustainability, and strengthening green entrepreneurship in the fashion and textile sectors.

Highlights

• Connecting Education & Industry: International study visits, internships, and training materials helped students and young professionals gain practical skills in sustainable fashion, circular economy practices, and digital tools.
• Building Networks: Cross-sectoral collaboration between designers, educators, businesses, and civil society was fostered, creating lasting professional networks.
• Driving Policy & Curriculum Change: Evidence-based insights are guiding curriculum updates, VET reforms, and future EU-level policies in circular textiles and green innovation.
• Supporting Green Entrepreneurship: The initiative enhanced understanding of EU regulations and sustainable business models, enabling emerging brands to navigate the green transition.

Next Steps

FEA-VEE lays the foundation for continuing and scaling results: embedding sustainable and digital skills into vocational training, formalizing professional networks, and creating long-term infrastructure for sustainable fashion education and innovation.

For those interested in the previous policy insights, all three reports are available here: FEA-VEE Learning Center.

At its core, the project promotes a modern training framework that supports VET learners, institutions, and educators. It aims to enhance employability by fostering collaboration between education providers and industry, developing innovative learning tools, and raising awareness about the importance of future-oriented skills. As highlighted on page 1, the project contributes to building more resilient, innovative, and sustainable economies in the region.

A key achievement is the development of the Twin Skills Strategy, which defines the essential competences for future labour markets. This strategy integrates digital skills—such as data management, AI, cybersecurity, and digital collaboration—with green skills focused on sustainability practices, resource management, and environmental responsibility. As shown on page 2, the project also brings together a diverse consortium of international partners to ensure knowledge exchange and best practices across regions.

Beyond technical expertise, the initiative emphasizes transversal skills like critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and adaptability, preparing young professionals to respond to complex, real-world challenges. Looking ahead, as outlined on page 3, VET4Youth will continue developing innovative training programmes and move forward with the creation of a dedicated curriculum aligned with European frameworks, supporting the transition toward a digital and sustainable economy.

In Croatia, participants explored sustainable fashion through creative workshops, including T-shirt redesign and crochet activities. Italy launched expert-led sessions in Padua focused on textile waste management, circular economy models, bio-based fibres, sustainable production, and regulation. In Spain, webinars brought together 103 participants to discuss circular economy practices, eco-design, textile waste management, the 3Rs, and the role of the social economy.

Together, these activities show how sustainable transformation in the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear sectors can become practical, collaborative, and creative.

Είσαι σπουδαστής/τρια μόδας ή κλωστοϋφαντουργίας;

Σου αρέσει να δημιουργείς, να καινοτομείς και να συμβάλλεις σε ένα βιώσιμο μέλλον;

Αν ναι, τότε πάρε μέρος στα εξειδικευμένα επιμορφωτικά προγράμματα του SiT – Sustainability in TCLF για αναδυόμενα επαγγέλματα στον κλάδο της μόδας και της κλωστοϋφαντουργίας και κάνε τη διαφορά!

Τ͟ε͟χ͟ν͟ι͟κ͟ό͟ς͟ ͟Β͟ι͟ο͟ϋ͟φ͟α͟σ͟μ͟ά͟τ͟ω͟ν͟

Μάθε πώς να δημιουργείς και να επεξεργάζεσαι οργανικά και βιοδιασπώμενα υλικά, μειώνοντας τα απορρίματα και τις περιβαλλοντικές επιπτώσεις της παραγωγής.

Δ͟ι͟α͟χ͟ε͟ι͟ρ͟ι͟σ͟τ͟ή͟ς͟/͟τ͟ρ͟ι͟α͟ ͟Α͟ν͟α͟κ͟ύ͟λ͟ω͟σ͟η͟ς͟

Μάθε πώς να σχεδιάζεις και να επιβλέπεις συστήματα ανακύκλωσης υφασμάτων, εξασφαλίζοντας τη σωστή διαλογή και επεξεργασία τους, προωθώντας βιώσιμες πρακτικές.

Τι περιλαμβάνεται:

Ασύγχρονη εκπαίδευση

Online πιστοποίηση

Δια ζώσης εργαστήρια

Διεθνές εκπαιδευτικό σεμινάριο

Πρακτική άσκηση

Μην χάσεις αυτή την ευκαιρία να εμπλουτίσεις τις γνώσεις και τα προσόντα σου και να γίνεις μέλος μιας διενθούς κοινότητας επαγγελματιών που δραστηριοποιούνται στον τομέα της βιώσιμης ένδυσης και υπόδυσης.

Κάνε την εγγραφή σου δωρεάν εδώ !

Το μέλλον της μόδας είναι βιώσιμο – και ξεκινά από εσένα!

Δες αναλυτικά το πρόγραμμα και το χρονοδιάγραμμα:

On 6 and 7 May, AKMI joined the FEA-VEE partners in Stockholm to reflect on the progress of the project and plan our next steps in shaping a sustainable future for the fashion, textile and apparel industry while establishing a green entrepreneurial model.

One of the main topics the partners discussed was the programme, the importance and some practicalities for the upcoming study visit to Spain.

Two students from AKMI Fashion School have been selected to join other fashion students from several EU countries in a one-week study visit to Barcelona this July, where they will gain practical experience, socialise with international peers and strengthen their skills for a future in the sustainable fashion industry. With this initiative, we aim to empower and equip our students to be change makers in an ever-evolving world and in particular in the demanding and ever-changing world of fashion.

Learn more about the project at fea-vee.eu.