Fashioning A Just Transition

What is this project about?

The Clean Clothes Campaign is a network that campaigns for better working conditions and the empowerment of workers in the global clothing and sportswear industry. It comprises over 220 organisations in more than 45 countries and holds brands accountable for their exploitation in order to achieve lasting change in the industry.

People who make our clothes have a right to safe workplaces, fair contracts and wages, and the right to organise.

Hard facts

As part of “Fashioning a Just Transition” we organise youth participation events for a more just and sustainable fashion industry.

Target Group: young people
Location: Austria
Duration: typically half a day
Frequency: every 6 months
Costs: no costs for participants

Fashioning a Just Transition Project

Our current fashion industry model is broken. Workers’ rights are constantly violated, and the environment, climate and communities surrounding factories are sacrificed for production. We need a new system – one that respects people and the environment and understands sustainability not only as ‘green production’ but also as centring the voices and rights of workers. That is why the Clean Clothes Campaign is working towards a Just Transition – the transition to a greener and fairer fashion industry for all. Together with young people, consumers and activists worldwide, it is fighting for an industry that neither exploits workers nor destroys the climate.

As part of this Just Transition, a manifesto is being developed in collaboration with trade unions, grassroots organisations, youth movements and the public. It contains the key principles for effective climate protection in the fashion industry – with the rights and livelihoods of workers at its heart.

How is CAN involved with FJT?

We at CAN are partners of the large CCC network. As the manifesto should reflect as many voices as possible, we are responsible for ensuring that the voices of young people from Austria are also included in the manifesto. We then accompany the young people in mini-campaigns and hold a final reflection event. In this way, we involve Austrian civil society – with a special focus on young people – in the process of just transition.

Manifesto

To enable young people to contribute to the manifesto, we are organising a one-day event where young people can come together, familiarise themselves with the manifesto, and share and discuss their opinions. Experts will provide input to assist them. The young people will contribute to the manifesto and thereby experience first-hand how civil society functions as a forum for opinion-forming. The event will take place on 11 November. If you are interested, please let us know via e-mail (just-transition@civilaction.net)

‘Mini Campaign Planning’

After the manifesto is published (in spring 2026), we will offer a full-day Action Lab. There, participants will be supported in developing small, actionable campaigns that they can carry out in their own communities – online or offline. This includes:

• Input on campaign strategy, relevant actors and power analysis.
• A clear structure for setting realistic goals.
• Tools and materials for implementing their campaigns.

Following the Campaign Planning event, we’ll offer monthly exchange calls. These will serve as a mutual support space where participants can share experiences and pursue their projects.

Reflection event

At the end of our programme, we offer a half-day learning lab. There, the results of the campaigns are shared and participants reflect on what they have learned and how they have developed. A shared story emerges about the significance of their commitment – so that they can look back positively on their experience of campaigning for a just transition in the clothing industry and continue to be involved in the future.

If you are interested in being part of the project or if you work with young people who might be interested, please contact us at just-transition@civilaction.net. We look forward to hearing from you!

This project was co-funded by the European Union in the frame of the “Fashioning A Just Transition” DEAR Project. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Civil Action Network and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.