3DP-STeF, "Empowering a Sustainable and Digital Future for Fashion & Textiles", is an European project that aims to encourage sustainable innovation within the textile and manufacturing sectors by up- and re-skilling university and vocational education and training (VET) students. By integrating Additive Manufacturing tools (such as 3D printing) into traditional sectors like textile and fashion, the project's activities are at the intersection of technology, creativity, and sustainability. 

Europe aims to reach 20 million ICT specialists by 2030, closing the digital skills gap and enabling SMEs to adopt AI, XR technologies, 3D printing, and digital manufacturing tools. Textiles and fashion, one of Europe’s most resource-intensive industries, are central to this transformation. The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles highlights the urgent need for new competencies in design, engineering, reuse, and digital production.

‍3DP-STeF directly supports these ambitions by bridging the skills gap between industry needs and current educational offerings. The project advances sustainable innovation in the textile and manufacturing sectors by upskilling and reskilling VET and university students, introducing Additive Manufacturing (AM) tools, such as 3D printing, into textiles and fashion education.