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Nairobi Circular Design Hub

  • SDG4
  • SDG5
  • SDG9
  • SDG8
  • SDG12
  • SDG13
  • SDG17
icon_Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Economic Development

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Timeframe 01.04.2025-30.11.2026 Aktiivne
Target group Local designers and students, textile manufacturers, academic institutions, government agencies and policymakers
Budget 100 000 EUR
Funders
  • ESTDEV
Partners

The "Nairobi Circular Design Hub" is an initiative aimed at fostering sustainable fashion practices and circular design principles in Kenya. The project will establish a Circular Design Hub at Kenyatta University, enabling research, education, and practical applications of circular economy principles in the textile and fashion industry. The project is a collaborative effort between Kenyatta University, Africa Collect Textiles (ACT), the Sustainable Design and Materials lab of Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA), and Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn (SEI Tallinn).

Beyond the project’s duration, the hub aims to serve as a permanent center for knowledge, training, and innovation in sustainable fashion. By bridging academic research, industry practice, and entrepreneurship, it provides a scalable model for textile waste circularity, equipping future generations of designers and businesses with the skills to drive sustainable change.

Project objectives

The project will establish a Circular Design Hub at Kenyatta University, enabling research, education, and practical applications of circular economy principles in the textile and fashion industry.

Objectives

  • Establish a Circular Design Hub at Kenyatta University to serve as a knowledge and training center for sustainable fashion practices.
  • Develop training programs on circular fashion, upcycling, and sustainable business models for local designers, students, and textile manufacturers.
  • Map and analyze industrial textile waste streams in Nairobi to provide data-driven solutions for reducing textile waste.
  • Strengthen cross-sector collaborations between academic institutions, businesses, and policymakers to foster circular economy solutions.

Expected Outcomes

  • A fully operational Circular Design Hub at Kenyatta University
  • 50 trained participants, including designers, students, and textile manufacturers.
  • A comprehensive analysis of textile waste streams in Nairobi, offering practical solutions for the industry.
  • A published research paper on circular fashion and textile waste management.
  • Strengthened networks among local and international stakeholders promoting sustainable fashion.

Actions and results

The project establishes a lasting circular design ecosystem by integrating the Nairobi Circular Design Hub into Kenyatta University’s curriculum, fostering local business engagement in circular economy practices, and supporting ongoing research collaborations. 

Key Activities

  1. Hub Establishment: Setting up the Nairobi Circular Design Hub at Kenyatta University, equipping it with the necessary infrastructure, and integrating it into the university’s curriculum.
  2. Textile Waste Mapping and Research: Conducting research on textile waste streams in Nairobi, led by SEI Tallinn and Kenyatta University, to identify nopportunities for recycling and reuse.

  3. Capacity Building and Training:

    - A one-month training program covering sewing, circular design, business modeling, and marketing.
    - A six-month incubator program for selected participants to develop sustainable fashion collections and business models.

  4. Knowledge Sharing and Awareness Raising:
    - Hosting a final fashion show to showcase participants’ circular fashion products.
    - Conducting a conference on circular fashion and textile waste solutions.
    - Publishing scientific paper on circular design practices and textile waste management.