© Christian Bezdekovsky
How can young people understand the global context of the fashion industry and what role does their own consumption play? Students of the Franken-Gymnasium Zülpich dealt with these questions as part of a workshop by FEMNET.
The 2025 annual report looks back on a turbulent year marked by global upheavals and political headwinds – from drastic cuts in development aid, to the worrying softening of supply chain laws in Germany and the EU, to the increasing repression of trade unions in producing countries such as India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. But instead of capitulating to these resistances, the report shows FEMNET's commitment: With powerful protests, such as the handover of 210,000 signatures to the Federal Chancellery, FEMNET has taken a clear stance and proved that the commitment against exploitation and civil society restrictions must be louder than ever, especially in times of crisis.
24 April marks the anniversary of the collapse of Rana Plaza, a building in Bangladesh that collapsed in 2013 and killed more than 1,100 textile workers. Since then, it has been a date that continues to shape the global fashion industry to this day.
Pride Month in June reminds us that diversity, equality and human dignity are not self-evident. Especially in times of increasing right-wing and queer-hostile tendencies, it is important to show an attitude: for an open society in which all people feel safe, seen and associated. FEMNET stands in solidarity with this goal and supports visibility.
Youth houses regularly and in large quantities procure textiles such as bed linen, T-shirts, work clothes and more. However, conventional textiles are produced worldwide under problematic conditions, so it is worthwhile to take a look at the already wide selection of sustainably produced alternatives. The new FEMNET factsheet aims to encourage youth hostels to get started: Use your procurement as a lever for global justice and the protection of natural resources.
Together with 200+ allies we carry the Just Fashion Manifesto. We share the vision of a fair fashion system that puts people above profits.
Fashion can never be sustainable if the people who make our clothes are underpaid, overworked and unprotected. Fashion can never be fair when pollution and garbage are the norm. Social justice and climate justice are two sides of the same coin. The Just Fashion Manifesto formulates principles for a just fashion system. The manifesto was initiated by the global network "Clean Clothes Campaign". The final version was published worldwide on 1 May 2026 and takes into account hundreds of contributions, comments and points of view, including from industry representatives worldwide.
Social and ecological criteria in textile purchasing are a central lever for a sustainable transformation. The Fair Wear Works project has shown how actors from healthcare, sports and academia can put this claim into practice.
© Maartje Theuws
The Clean Clothes Campaign has published a recent statement on a key point paper for a draft law on extended producer responsibility, which should involve fast fashion manufacturers in the disposal and recycling costs. A textile law must stop exploitation and environmental destruction by the textile industry!
Against the backdrop of the anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse, there will be a speaker tour with trade unionist Camelia Hasan from Bangladesh from 20 to 27 April 2026.
Under the impression of the factory collapse of Rana Plaza, the Alliance for Sustainable Textiles (Textile Alliance) was founded in 2014 as a multi-actor partnership between the federal government, business, trade unions and civil society. The aim was to improve the working conditions in the suppliers of German clothing companies and to reduce environmental damage. At the beginning of 2026, the Textile Alliance was transferred to the new format ‘Dialogue and Impact for Sustainable Textiles (DST)’. This is a good time to take stock and formulate expectations for the new initiative.
