ORCHESTRATE Final Conference: From Vicious Cycles to Virtuous Levers
About this Event
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Join us for the ORCHESTRATE Final Conference, bringing together people working across fashion, textiles, sustainability, research, policy and innovation.
The ORCHESTRATE project has examined the interconnected challenges affecting the transition towards a more circular fashion and textiles ecosystem. This conference will share insights from the project, reflect on the experiences of different stakeholders and explore how practical interventions can help turn persistent vicious cycles into virtuous levers for change.
The event will combine project findings, stakeholder reflections, practical examples and collaborative roundtable discussions. Participants will have opportunities to exchange knowledge, develop connections and consider future research, innovation and funding opportunities.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Project findings and stakeholder reflections
Hear what the ORCHESTRATE project set out to achieve, what was learned and what the findings tell us about the current circular fashion and textiles ecosystem.
The “elephants in the room”
An open examination of some of the most difficult and persistent challenges facing the sector, including:
• Overproduction and overconsumption
• The viability of circular business models and infrastructure
• Fragmentation and coordination across stakeholders
• Policy and regulatory challenges
• Global dependencies and post-consumer textile flows
• Common circularity assumptions and myths
From vicious cycles to virtuous levers
Explore the practical approaches that can help address systemic challenges, including:
• Ecosystem partnerships and coordinated action
• Piloting, testing and micro-experimentation
• Finance and investment for circular solutions
• Digital technologies enabling circularity
• Policy interventions and learning across sectors
• Citizen engagement and behaviour change
Future funding and collaboration roundtables
The afternoon will focus on generating ideas for future research, innovation and collaborative action. Participants will work together to identify challenges, explore possible solutions and develop potential opportunities for future projects and funding.
Discussion themes are expected to include:
• Stronger regional collaboration across textile communities
• Charity retail resilience
• Fairer Global North–Global South relationships
• Responsible approaches to post-consumer textile flows
• The future of circular fashion and textiles in Manchester
• Transparent investment and impact measurement
PROVISIONAL AGENDA
• Welcome and introduction to ORCHESTRATE
• Project findings and stakeholder reflections
• Session 1: Elephants in the Room
• Break
• Session 2: From Vicious Cycles to Virtuous Levers
• Lunch and networking
• Session 3: Future Funding and Collaboration Roundtables
• Reflections, next steps and closing discussion
A more detailed programme and information about contributors will be announced once invitations have been confirmed.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This event will be relevant to:
• Fashion and textile businesses
• Manufacturers, retailers and brands
• Reuse, repair, resale and recycling organisations
• Sustainability and circular-economy practitioners
• Policymakers and regional development organisations
• Researchers, educators and students
• Technology providers and innovators
• Finance and investment professionals
• Charities, social enterprises and community organisations
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Wednesday 16 September 2026
Venue: Ormond Council Chamber, Manchester Metropolitan University
Format: Presentations, stakeholder reflections, facilitated discussions and collaborative roundtables
Further information about timings, contributors and practical arrangements will be shared with registered participants.
ACCESS REQUIREMENTS
We want the event to be welcoming and accessible. Please provide details of any accessibility or dietary requirements when registering.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
