FutureProofTextiles 1st Open Call round

Open Call objective: Empowering 40 SMEs in the textile sector to successfully navigate the "twin transitions" of digital transformation and green sustainability.

Support: Beyond the €50,000 grant, FutureProofTextiles offers extensive capacity-building and networking resources to help build a connected SME ecosystem:

• Tailored Training: An average of 40 hours per SME focusing on digital transformation, circular economy principles, and sustainable production.

• Dedicated Mentoring: Custom technical consulting and mentoring sessions for up to 6 selected SMEs based on specific needs.

• Open-Access Materials: Production of 100 hours of scalable training curricula and best-practice guides for the broader textile sector.

• Cross-Border Networking: Facilitation of international collaboration to foster an innovative textile ecosystem.

Who can apply: 

Company size

• Applicants must fall under the category of SME, according to European Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC*

Partnerships

• Clusters and intermediary organisations are not eligible even if they are SMEs.

• Each applicant should represent a single SME, not a consortia of multiple SMEs.

Industry

• Applicants must be SMEs operating in the textile value chain. SMEs from complementary sectors (e.g., tech, machinery) are also eligible, provided their proposed innovation directly contributes to the textile value chain. Activities must align with a relevant NACE code (or national equivalent), such as:

  • Textile manufacturing: C13.1, C13.2, C13.3, C13.9

  • Apparel manufacturing: C14.1, C14.3

  • Textile-based products and technical textiles: C15.12, C22.19

  • Textile recycling and circularity: C38

  • Digital and innovative solutions for the textile sector: J62, J63

  • Manufacture of machinery for textile, apparel and leather production:C 28.94 

Location

• Only SMEs legally established in countries participating in the Single Market Programme (SMP) are eligible to apply. This includes EU Member States and any other country formally associated with the SMP. A full list of participating countries is published here: List of participating countries in the Single Market Programme (SMP).

Language

• The applicant SME must have at least one staff member who speaks English and will be actively involved in the implementation process, handling all communication needs with the consortium.

DEADLINE: 18 September 2026

More information FutureProof Textiles Eurocluster