From Old Textiles to New Ideas: Creative Textile Reuse Workshop at Cahul Community Center

From 17 to 26 October 2026, the Regional Center for Community Development (CRDC) joined the national initiative “Repair Week 2026 – Repair Brings People Together!” by organizing a workshop dedicated to creative textile recycling, repair, and reuse at the Cahul Community Center.

The activity highlighted a simple but important idea: clothes and textile materials that we no longer use do not necessarily have to be thrown away. With a little creativity and some practical skills, they can be repaired, transformed, and used again.

The workshop provided participants with an opportunity to explore different ways of reusing textiles, exchange experiences, and discover how small actions can contribute to reducing waste and promoting more responsible consumption.

Sewing Hub – a space where women learn and create together

For CRDC, this activity is closely connected to the development of the Sewing Hub at the Cahul Community Center, a community initiative bringing together women who want to learn, share experiences, and contribute to the development of sustainable practices.

The Sewing Hub operates through volunteering and collaboration. Some participants already have sewing experience, while others join to learn new skills. Together, they repair clothes, reuse textile materials, and develop creative ideas in an open and welcoming environment.

The initiative is facilitated by Anastasia Kirilă, Coordinator of the Cahul Community Center, who supports the organization of meetings and the development of activities together with women from the local community.

Recently, the Sewing Hub also received new equipment with the support of EcoVisio. This equipment helps expand opportunities for sewing, repair, reuse, and upcycling activities, providing participants with more opportunities for learning and engagement.

Repair and reuse – opportunities for community engagement

The workshop organized in Cahul was part of a broader initiative held across four institutions in the Republic of Moldova, bringing together more than 90 participants between 17 and 26 October 2026.

Alongside CRDC, Repair Week 2026 involved Șendreni Gymnasium, “Nicolae Pușcaș” Gymnasium in Hoginești village, Călărași district, and the Vocational School in Cupcini, Edineț district.

Through repair and upcycling workshops, clothing swaps, and creative textile transformation activities, the initiative demonstrated that the circular economy can also be promoted through practical activities accessible to local communities.

For CRDC, such activities are not only a way to promote environmental responsibility but also an opportunity to bring people together, encourage volunteering, and build on the skills and experiences of community members.

Sewing Hub activities continue in Cahul

The Sewing Hub holds its activities every Tuesday and Thursday, starting at 11:00 AM, at the Cahul Community Center.

Participation is free of charge. Women interested in learning to sew, repairing or transforming clothes, and joining the community are invited to contact the Cahul Community Center to be added to the working group.

We thank EcoVisio for supporting the development of the Sewing Hub and for contributing to the promotion of responsible consumption practices in our community.

Repair Week 2026 was coordinated by the Training and Consultancy Center e-Circular.org and EcoVisio, within the project “Strategic Communication on Waste Management”, funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Chișinău.