FutureProofTextiles has launched its first Open Call to support European textile SMEs pursuing digital and green innovation. The programme will distribute €2 million in cascade funding to 40 SMEs across two rounds. Under this first call, 20 SMEs will receive €50,000 grants for projects focused on digital transformation or sustainable practices.
Program Overview
• Mission: Support textile SMEs in adopting digital and sustainable technologies that improve competitiveness, efficiency, and resilience.
• Program Structure: The call is divided into two schemes: Green Initiatives and Digital Innovations.
• Green Initiatives: Supports circular economy models, waste reduction, sustainable materials, resource efficiency, and CO₂ reduction.
• Digital Innovations: Supports automation, AI, IoT, Industry 4.0, digital product innovation, and digital skills.
• Regional Scope: Open to eligible SMEs established in countries participating in the EU Single Market Programme.
Funding and Support Details
• Grant Amount: €50,000 per selected SME.
• Total First Call Budget: €1,000,000 for 20 SMEs.
• Co-funding Requirement: Beneficiaries must contribute at least €10,000, creating a minimum total project budget of €60,000.
• Project Duration: Nine months.
• Additional Support: Selected SMEs receive training, mentoring, and international networking opportunities.
Eligibility Criteria
• SME Status: Applicants must qualify as SMEs under European Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC.
• Applicant Type: Applications must be submitted by a single SME.
• Sector Focus: Applicants should operate in the textile value chain or provide technologies and solutions that directly benefit the textile sector.
• Geographic Eligibility: Applicants must be legally established in an eligible Single Market Programme country.
• Technology Readiness: Proposed solutions must be at TRL 5 or higher.
• Submission Limits: SMEs may submit one proposal per funding scheme but can receive only one grant under the programme.
Application Process and Timeline
• Submission Portal: Applications must be submitted through the official EU Survey portal.
• Language: Applications must be submitted in English.
• Key Dates:
- Open Call Launch: 22 June 2026
- Application Deadline: 18 September 2026, 23:59 GMT+1
- Project Duration: Nine months after contracting
Proposal Requirements
• Eligible Activities: Projects must align with either the Green Initiatives or Digital Innovations scheme.
• Eligible Costs: Staff, equipment, software, materials, technical services, certification, networking, and project-related consultancy may be covered.
• Ineligible Costs: Mass production, land or building purchases, routine operational expenses, and general advertising are excluded.
• Milestones: Applicants must define clear milestones for the nine-month implementation period.
Evaluation and Selection
Applications are evaluated against four weighted criteria:
- Technical Innovation: 40%
- Impact & Sustainability: 30%
- Business Viability: 20%
- Implementation Feasibility: 10%
Projects must demonstrate technological maturity, measurable impact, commercial potential, and a realistic implementation plan.
Additional Support Services
• Training: Selected SMEs receive specialised training in digitalisation, sustainability, and Industry 4.0.
• Mentoring: Beneficiaries may receive personalised technical and business support.
• Networking: The programme provides access to cross-border collaboration and European textile innovation networks.
FutureProofTextiles is best suited to SMEs with validated technologies, products, or processes at TRL 5 or above that are ready for near-term implementation. Strong candidates include textile manufacturers, apparel producers, machinery providers, circular-economy businesses, and technology companies developing solutions for the textile value chain.