18 Sept 2026, Hadzhidimovo, Bulgaria

Press Release
Project “TEXTURE” officially launched with a kick-off meeting at the Municipality of Nestos (Greece)

The TEXTURE project officially launched its cross-border cooperation activities with a kick-off meeting held on 4 September 2026 at the premises of the Municipality of Nestos in Chrysoupoli, Greece. The meeting brought together representatives of all project partners, marking the beginning of a joint effort to promote a more circular and sustainable approach to textile consumption and waste management in the eligible area.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the partners to review the project’s implementation framework, coordinate responsibilities and initial activities, and establish the foundations for effective cooperation throughout its 24-month implementation period.

A key focus of the discussions was the project’s management and coordination structure. Implementation will be overseen by the Joint Management Team (JMT), chaired by the Lead Beneficiary and comprising representatives from all partner organisations. The JMT will monitor project progress and ensure the effective execution of activities in accordance with its Rules of Procedure. Representatives of the Joint Secretariat and Managing Authority may be invited to participate in its meetings, while specific responsibilities may be delegated to dedicated working groups whenever necessary.

Partners also reviewed the start-up coordination framework, including contractual obligations, the implementation timetable, procurement and tendering procedures, contracting plans, and the key milestones to be achieved during the first nine months of implementation.

TEXTURE aims to prevent textile waste and promote more responsible consumption patterns by encouraging the repair, reuse, and longer use of textile products. Through cross-border cooperation, practical learning opportunities, and active community engagement, the project will support citizens on both sides of the border in adopting more sustainable habits and reducing the environmental impact of textile consumption.

The project’s main activities include the establishment of Textile Repair Centres in Greece and Bulgaria, the deployment of an Eco-Mobile Training Centre serving schools and remote communities, and the development of a multilingual Eco-Footprint mobile application. These interventions will be complemented by educational initiatives, awareness-raising campaigns, and joint capacity-building activities designed to strengthen environmental responsibility and support long-term behavioural change.

By combining local infrastructure, innovative learning tools, and active citizen participation, TEXTURE will contribute to reducing textile waste, extending the life cycle of textile products, and fostering a culture of repair and reuse across the cross-border region.

Information:

Postal address: 2933

Phone number: +359 75 282 922

E-mail: obshtina_hadjidimovo@mail.bg

Website: https://www.hadzhidimovo.com/

25 August 2026, Hadzhidimovo, Bulgaria

Press Release
Project “TEXTURE” to officially launch with a kick-off meeting at the Municipality of Nestos (Greece)

The project with the acronym “TEXTURE” (MIS 6010588) and the title “Promotion of circular economy and more responsible consuming through Textile Repair Centers and Community involvement activities” has officially started its implementation. The project, with a total duration of 24 months (from 28 July 2026 to 28 July 2028), is implemented within the framework of the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Interreg VI-A “Greece-Bulgaria 2021-2027” (CCI:2021TC16RFCB021).

The project’s kick-off meeting will take place on 4 September 2026 (Friday) from 10:00 to 14:00 at the premises of the Municipality of Nestos (Premetis, 64200 Chrysoupoli, Greece), with the participation of the project partners, officially launching their cross-border cooperation and coordinating the initial steps of the project implementation.

With a total budget of €2,179,471.12, the “TEXTURE” project brings together project partners from the NUTS regions covered by the Programme, with the MUNICIPALITY OF NESTOS (Greece) (EL515 – Thassos, Kavala) acting as Lead Beneficiary (LB). The partnership also includes the MUNICIPALITY OF HADZHIDIMOVO (Bulgaria) (BG413 - Blagoevgrad) (Project Beneficiary 2 – PB2), the ASSOCIATION FOR TEXTILE RECYCLING (Bulgaria) (BG413 - Blagoevgrad) (Project Beneficiary 3 – PB3) and the REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES OF CENTRAL MACEDONIA (Greece) (EL522 – Thessaloniki) (Project Beneficiary 4 – PB4).

The project aims to promote the circular economy and more responsible consumption of textile products through prevention, reuse and repair of textile products, while strengthening cross-border cooperation and community involvement.

The main cross-border activities include the establishment of Textile Repair Centers in Greece and Bulgaria, the operation of an Eco-Mobile Training Center for schools and remote communities, the development of a multilingual Eco-Footprint mobile application, as well as educational activities, awareness campaigns and joint capacity-building initiatives. These activities aim to encourage sustainable practices in the textile sector, reduce textile waste and support long-term changes towards more responsible consumption.

In Greece, the Municipality of Nestos will establish a Textile Repair Centre in the municipal community of Makrychori, while in Bulgaria the Municipality of Hadzhidimovo will establish a Textile Repair and Reuse Center. The centers will provide opportunities for practical training, repair and reuse activities, as well as public awareness-raising. The Association for Textile Recycling (Bulgaria) will contribute its expertise in textile recycling and reuse, supporting the promotion of sustainable practices and the reduction of textile waste. The Regional Association of Solid Waste Management Agencies of Central Macedonia (Greece) will contribute its expertise in waste management, supporting technical activities, awareness-raising and the transfer of know-how on circular economy practices.

The kick-off meeting will provide an opportunity for the partners to discuss the project implementation framework, coordinate responsibilities and activities, and establish the basis for effective cooperation throughout the 24-month implementation period.

To ensure the successful management of the partnership and the completion of the project, the first meeting of the Joint Management Team (JMT) will take place during the kick-off meeting. The JMT, comprising the LB and representatives of each PB, will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the project. The JMT will be chaired by the LB. The Joint Secretariat/Managing Authority (JS/MA) may also be invited to attend the meetings. The JMT will have the authority to assign specific tasks or responsibilities to sub-committees or working groups as it deems appropriate to establish. The project partnership agrees to operate in accordance with the set of Rules of Procedures, which will be presented and approved at project level during the first JMT meeting.

Furthermore, during the kick-off meeting, the JMT will present and evaluate the progress made to date regarding the fulfilment of each partner's contractual obligations – specifically concerning the definition and achievement of milestones, the approved binding start-up schedule, the procurement/tendering/contracting plan, and the associated procedures. The evaluation will focus on the first nine (9) months of implementation, identifying the key milestones to be achieved at the project level during this period.

Through joint activities, the project “TEXTURE” will contribute to a more circular and sustainable approach to textile products, supporting the reduction of textile waste and encouraging citizens and local communities to adopt more responsible consumption and reuse practices.

The project “TEXTURE” is implemented under Priority “PR1: A more Resilient and Greener Greece-Bulgaria Cross Border Territory” and Specific Objective “RSO 2.6 Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy” of the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Interreg VI-A “Greece-Bulgaria 2021-2027” and was approved under the 1st Call for Common projects.

The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and by national funds of the countries participating in the Interreg VI-A “Greece-Bulgaria 2021-2027” Cross-Border Cooperation Programme.