News

Re-Imagine Resources Programme Brought Together Designers and Craftspeople Across the Northern Periphery

The Re-Imagine Resources project successfully brought together designers and craftspeople from across the Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) region between May and November 2026, providing a unique opportunity to explore innovative approaches to circular design and sustainable textile practices.

Date

08.07.2026

Through an open call launched earlier in the year, three designers or craftspeople from each partner country — Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Ireland — were selected to participate in the international programme. The open call welcomed professionals from a wide range of creative disciplines, including fashion, textiles, product design, architecture, digital technology and related fields, all united by a shared interest in extending the life and value of textile products, reducing waste and addressing the challenges of overproduction.

The programme focuses on promoting circular design principles, encouraging participants to investigate and apply new approaches to textile and fashion design that reduce environmental impact and support more sustainable production and consumption models. Throughout the project, participants explore practical methods for prolonging product lifecycles while raising awareness of sustainable design practices.

A key element of Re-Imagine Resources is its emphasis on international collaboration. Designers and craftspeople work across borders, exchanging knowledge, sharing expertise and developing innovative solutions to common sustainability challenges facing the textile and design sectors. The programme creates valuable opportunities for networking and professional development among participants from different regions and disciplines.

Participants also take part in a series of workshops and masterclasses designed to strengthen skills and knowledge in circular and sustainable design. These sessions provide practical insights into emerging approaches, materials and methodologies, helping creative professionals further embed sustainability into their work.

Re-Imagine Resources is delivered by a consortium of eight international partners: Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK) and Kittilä Municipality in Finland, Remiks in Norway, the Western Development Commission, Technological University of the Shannon, and Forge Design Factory in Ireland, the University of Borås in Sweden, and the Icelandic Textile Centre in Iceland.

By bringing together creative professionals from across the NPA region, the project supports the development of new ideas, strengthens international partnerships and highlights the important role of circular design in building a more sustainable future for the textile and creative industries.

Programme Structure

Phase 1: Individual Design Development (May–September 2026)
Participants develop an original product, system or solution using end-of-life textiles, drawing inspiration from a visit to a textile sorting facility in their home country. The phase includes masterclasses, mentoring and independent project work. One finalist from each country is selected to progress to the next stage.

Phase 2: Collaborative Co-Design (September–November 2026)
Finalists work in international teams to co-design a circular solution using end-of-life textiles. They also deliver a local workshop focused on textile repair, reuse or other circularity themes. The programme concludes attending Borås Textile Days 2026 in Sweden, where participants present their work, collaborate in person and take part in industry visits and discussions. A public exhibition showcases the final outcomes and promotes sustainable practices to a wider audience.