Why ACTE?

Through ACTE, we share experiences and insights in hope to inspire individuals, industries and territories to improve and develop. Together, we create the fabrics of the future.

ACTE (European Textile Collectivities Association) believes in collaboration. As we are founded on the inheritance of European textile industry, we aim at creating the fabrics of the future. Networking is key to us at ACTE, sharing methodology, ideas and innovation will make us well prepared to meet future challenges.

Stronger together
As a collaborative organisation we are stronger working together. As our industry is going through a much-needed development in digitalisation, we make sure that good practices are shared.
ACTE also makes our mutual industry better well-known in the general mind, thus reassuring that we have a given place in peoples’ minds, as they make purchasing decisions.

A voice of progress
Together we can not only inspire others, we can also make sure that our voice is heard by politicians, policymakers and those that shape the framework of where we work and live.
ACTE is the member’s voice of progress, and an arena where the European textile, clothing, leather, footwear and fashion accessories industries meet – to create the fabrics of the future.

Our president, the mayor of Borås, Ulf Olsson explains why he believes in cooperations:

Creating the fabrics of the future

ACTE’s main aim is to make sure that the European fashion, textile, clothing, leather, footwear, and accessories industries prosper. Together, we inspire European design, manufacturing and marketing.

History matters to us. So, we want to make sure that the tradition and inheritance of the European industry continues to inspire both existing and future designers and companies. Preserving the interests of our members – both territorial networks and adherent organisations – support our common bright future.

Networking is the key
ACTE is a network of many municipalities all around Europe. The cities and territories associated all have a model of business development related to the textile and fashion sectors in common. The network also includes academy and other institutions related to the textile industry, as well as local development agencies and research programmes in textile and design.

Members matter

Our members provide the network with different perspectives on the evolution of our industry, inspiring by a whole set of diverse ways of how to be prosperous. ACTE work through cooperation, innovative thinking and the knowledge generated from thousands of people within our member organisations. Together we are well prepared to meet future challenges.
ACTE is the member’s voice of progress as well as an arena where the European textile, clothing, leather, footwear and fashion accessories industries meet to create the fabrics of the future.

Then and now
ACTE, European Textile Collectivities Association, was founded in Guimarães (Portugal) in 1991, by initiative of Mr. Mario Soares, ex-president of Portugal, Mr. Pierre Mauroy former prime minister of France and six municipalities in Spain, France, Portugal, and Belgium.

Today ACTE is an expanding network, with members in countries all over Europe. Local and regional authorities (as municipalities) are the direct members and institutions join the network as adherent members. The organisation is led by an executive committee and an elected presidential staff for three years at a time. All members meet annually, at our annual General Assembly (GA).