Estonia’s know-how is helping reduce textile waste in Kenya

The Nairobi Circular Design Hub project is funded through ESTDEV's 2025 call for proposals for African countries, where supporting innovation and the green transition was one of the priority areas. 

In collaboration with Kenyatta University, the sustainable design project offers practical training in sewing, circular design, business modeling, and marketing, enabling participants to launch and develop their own sustainable brands and acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully enter the market. 

Reet Aus, senior researcher and designer at Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA), explained that the goal is to bring knowledge from EKA's Sustainable Design and Materials Lab to Kenya. 

"The exercise we have done with them is about how to recycle these residual materials in the conditions they have and how to create new products through design," said Aus. 

To ensure the project’s own sustainability and lasting impact, the Nairobi Circular Design Hub will be integrated into Kenyatta University’s curriculum, fostering local business engagement in circular economy practices, and supporting ongoing research collaborations. 

"Students now pay more attention to the amount of material they use and how to cut it so that it is more sustainable. They also think about how to reuse materials or make new products from waste. Students are very keen to ensure that their products are environmentally friendly and also appeal to customers," said Jacqueline Kisato, lecturer and head of the fashion design and marketing department at Kenyatta University. 

Read the full story about how Estonia is helping reduce textile waste in Kenya.

When designing calls for proposals, ESTDEV focuses on areas where Estonian experts and organisations have had successful experience in Africa and in which partner countries have already expressed an interest. Kenya's own national development plan (Vision 2030) also sets the goals of economic diversification, industrial modernization, and the promotion of innovation and the circular economy. 

Implementing projects funded through the ESTDEV’s calls gives Estonian organisations the experience they need to develop new projects and attract additional funding from the European Commission or other international donors.