About us

The CARMA project aims to open-source the fashion sector to a global volunteer force to harness the power of circular fashion to combat systemic inequalities and exclusive structures that lead to poverty. 

Our digital volunteer program offers work experience and collaborative volunteer opportunities for early-career candidates (future fashion industry talent) to develop their digital skills at the intersection of fashion, technology, marketing and sustainability.

Our goal is to empower them so that they are better equipped to gain employment in a post-pandemic and increasingly circular economy.

The program enables skilled individuals to volunteer for structured, circular fashion projects aligned with their values and passions

Through our platform, candidates can learn remotely with interactive multimedia, build skills immersively, gain hands-on work experience and support sustainability initiatives that promote the well-being of people in fashion value chains.

Additionally, they will be supported throughout their training by a network of mentors and specialists.

As part of a larger effort to create a circular fashion industry that provides opportunities for everyone to thrive and succeed regardless of background or economic status, our volunteer program focuses on two key objectives:

1. Empowering volunteers to contribute their talents towards making sustainable fashion more inclusive.
2. Giving volunteers a transformative experience. This means providing them with the knowledge and skills to become valued employees, consultants, or entrepreneurs in an inclusive circular future.

Why now

There is a growing disconnect between the skills education institutions promote as critical graduate skills and those employers are looking for in an employee.

Many younger workers arrive fresh from education with little or no work experience. After many years of following school timetables and the instructions of teachers, trainers or lecturers, it can be quite a change to come into the working environment.

There is a shortage of job opportunities to fit the yearly influx of graduates. For many, it is challenging; to land, a first job role with no job experience and businesses need to hire experienced workers to be successful. Younger workers may need extra support and a more flexible management approach for those who get engaged until they get used to the workplace.

They might do this with internships, but most businesses do not offer structured intern programs that make the experience valuable for the interns

Therefore they end up wasting their time.

With the proper support from our program, younger workers can become skilled and valued team members more quickly and easily.