ECOPRINT in Shtip

The second activity of the "ECOPRINT in Nature" project, which continues under the management of our university, was held in North Macedonia between 15-20 April 2024, hosted by YOUTH ON BOARD.

Representatives and participants of Kastamonu University (KÜ), Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Youth on Board (YOB) and Sarı Konak Women's Enterprises Production and Business Cooperative (KSSK) attended the event held in North Macedonia.

On the first day of the event, the host, Youth on Board President Kiril Jordanov, made the opening speech. After the speech, project coordinator Assoc. Dr. Önder Tor gave information about the project. SGGW representative Dr. Emilia Janeczko and KSSK President Mihriban Tüfekçi made presentations introducing their institutions and organizations.

On the first day of the event, participants were taught how to transfer patterns and colors to fabric using the tapping technique, which is one of the ECOPRINT techniques. Participants tried different plant parts they chose on different types of fabrics. Along with these experiments, lithography, one of Kastamonu's traditional handicrafts, was tested on fabrics mordanted using ecological methods.

On the second day of the event, participants continued to learn ECOPRINT techniques. Patterns were created from plant parts using fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk prepared with different mordanting methods, and the fabrics were subjected to steaming and boiling in water for about an hour. At the end of the day, the fabrics with ECOPRINT application were dried and made ready for sewing.

On the third day of the event, a cultural and historical trip to the cities of Štip and Skopje was organized by our partner Youth on Board. On the last day of the event, Dr. from Golce Delcev University. Sanja Risteski gave an informative speech about the situation of the textile industry in Štip, North Macedonia, the textile wastes generated in this industry and the possibilities of reusing these wastes in environmentally friendly products. Dr. In his presentation, Risteski touched upon the issue of waste, especially from the textile industry, and increased the participants' awareness of sustainability, innovation, responsible production and consumption. The activities carried out in the project aimed to encourage participants to think innovatively and to develop new and unique products by combining their designs with textile waste and ECOPRINT fabrics. Products such as vests, t-shirts, bags, wallets, pillows and cushions were produced and exhibited with the fabrics produced within the scope of the events. 

The event ended with the certificate ceremony and closing speeches.