This call for proposals supports collaborative projects that develop practical solutions for a more sustainable, circular and responsible fashion industry.
It is aimed at initiatives that are already well advanced and wish to move to the next stage: testing, rolling out or scaling up their model, building on strong partnerships.
Objective
The call aims to:
- support concrete, market-driven solutions in sustainable fashion,
- strengthen European fashion ecosystems,
- encourage collaborative alternatives to fast fashion,
- translate the principles of the New European Bauhaus into viable business models.
In particular, projects must:
- operate across the fashion value chain (design, production, distribution, circularity, end-of-life, etc.),
- demonstrate potential for commercialisation and impact,
- include a dimension of co-creation and design-led innovation.
Who can apply?
The call for proposals is open to partnerships comprising between 4 and 6 independent legal entities from at least two eligible countries. Each group must include at least:
- an independent fashion brand (SME) that has been in operation for at least three years,
- a research organisation (university, research centre, etc.),
- a public authority or a cluster,
- a stakeholder in the fashion value chain.
Key considerations
Projects must aim to achieve measurable outcomes, such as bringing innovations to market or setting up start-ups. Partners must demonstrate expertise in sustainability and circular design. A video presentation of the project is required as part of the application.
Who is it for?
Designers and brands from Wallonia-Brussels are eligible if they are registered as a legal entity (SME) and are part of a European consortium that meets the criteria. This call is particularly relevant for established brands already working on circularity, projects related to sustainable design, eco-design and new business models.
However, it is less accessible to young designers and sole traders without a European network.