The Museo del Tessuto in Prato, in the context of the European STAND Up! project funded by the European Union through the ENI CBC Med programme , is inaugurating an activity programme aimed at developing sustainable and eco-innovative ideas, projects and business models. The Museum is also lending its support during the incubation phase, providing training, free consultancy, voucher systems for internationalisation, networking opportunities and access to financial services.
The programme will last approximately ten months and is being implemented concurrently in the five nations participating in the STAND Up! project (Italy, Spain, Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia). The project aims to encourage the emergence and consolidation of new entrepreneurial and eco-innovative projects that positively contribute to an ecologically and socially responsible circular model in the textile and fashion sector in Tuscany and the regions involved in the ENI CBC Med Programme (Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Liguria, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily).
Priority access will be granted to projects proposed by young people (25-35 years) and women (without age limits).
Commencing in April 2021, four different activities will provide participants with technical and financial support, tools and opportunities.
The selection of programme participants will take place through 4 specific thematic calls for proposals – PLEASE REFER TO THE REGISTRATION METHODS AND DETAILS LISTED BELOW:
- February 2021: Call 1 – STAND Up! Capacity Building Programme – Call for support for circular/ eco-innovative ideas, prototypes and business projects. Selection of up to 40 participants.
- May 2021: Call 2 – STAND Up! Early-stage Incubation – Call for the refinement, incubation and strengthening phase for circular/eco-innovative projects (June-November 2021).
Selection of 4 participants. - September 2021: Call 3 – STAND Up! Soft-landing voucher scheme – Call for vouchers to facilitate access to new markets in the Mediterranean area. (October 2021 – January 2022).
Selection of 4 participants. - September 2021: Call 4 – STAND Up! Access to finance – Call for access to financing and investments (October 2021 – January 2022).
Selection of up to 10 participants.
For further information:
Filippo Guarini,
Project Manager STAND Up! – Museo del Tessuto | f.guarini@museodeltessuto.it
Francesco Bolli,
Communication Manager STAND Up! – Museo del Tessuto | f.bolli@museodeltessuto.it
Call 1/ STAND Up! Capacity Building Programme.
Call for support for circular/eco-innovative ideas, prototypes and
business projects.
The Museo del Tessuto invites eco-innovators, students, entrepreneurs, startuppers and new corporate spin-offs based in Tuscany and in the regions involved in the ENI CBC Med Programme (Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Liguria, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily) to present innovative/sustainable/circular ideas, prototypes and business projects in the fashion, apparel and textile sectors.
The selected applicants will have access to a free “Capacity Building Programme”, tailored to support the transition of the initial product or service concept towards a consolidated and sustainable green business model. One that can enter the market and contribute to the growth of innovation and circular business opportunities in the textile, apparel and fashion sectors.
The programme’s core is composed of training conducted by professionals and experts. These figures will support the participants in analytically evaluating and developing their project idea, understanding the necessary timing, and solving technical, organisational, and financial problems in order to implement their project.
The call for proposals ensures priority access for projects presented by women (without age limits) and young people under 35; it is addressed to applicants from Tuscany and the other regions involved in the ENI-CBC Med Programme (Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Liguria, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily).
Foreigners with a domicile of at least six months in the indicated regions can also participate in the call.
The project offers an advanced training programme lasting approximately 8 weeks (spring 2021), implemented through the innovative Green Business Methodology recently developed by the United Nations as part of its European Union-funded projects. Furthermore, the project offers a series of interesting benefits, including:
- a 500 euro grant awarded to the 4 top-ranking participants out of the 40 selected to develop their business projects.
- participation in a dedicated elevator pitch, conceived at the end of the course with the assistance of renowned professionals from the fashion and communications sector.
- international visibility, thanks to admission into a community of 200 young eco-innovators from the Mediterranean area, selected through the STAND Up! project.
- Access to a voucher system for internationalisation, equal to approximately 2000 euros each.
- the opportunity to access the subsequent activities included within the project, such as a real business incubation itinerary, vouchers for specific expertise and systems to access investments and financing.
- international networking activities, thanks to participation in face-to-face and online events.
- the opportunity to consult the exclusive sustainable fabrics section of the Museo del Tessuto’s Textile Library.
- an exhibition/presentation of the best projects from those selected (the presentation method will be evaluated according to the current pandemic situation and any related restrictions).
● Who can apply?
These opportunities are directed to applicants from the Tuscany region and other regions involved in the ENI CBC Med Programme (Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Liguria, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily). The calls for proposals are principally addressed to:
- young eco-innovators and independent entrepreneurs (24-35 years old) with at least one design idea, prototype or early-stage project in the textile, apparel and eco-sustainable/circular fashion sector.
- university students/recent graduates who have developed eco-innovative/circular business ideas or projects in the textile, apparel and fashion sectors.
- SMEs, industries and sector organisations working to develop and launch new sustainable/circular projects within their organisation in the form of corporate spin-offs in the textile, apparel and fashion sectors.
Up to 40 individuals/projects will be selected to participate. Access to the training programme requires a good command of spoken and written English.
Foreigners with a domicile of at least six months in the indicated regions can also participate in the call.
● What criteria must the proposed projects fulfil?
Eligible projects should relate to products, services, designs, business models or technologies that lead to sustainable/circular and environmentally-friendly innovations in the T&A sector, combining innovation, technology and economic feasibility with high environmental sustainability.
● What are the main advantages and acquired content for participants?
The “Call for support for circular/eco-innovative ideas, prototypes and business projects” provides access to a specific development programme aimed at moving from the design phase to a consolidated sustainable business model, capable of accessing the international market of reference and seizing economically viable business opportunities.
The programme is organised using an innovative methodology that includes online and face-to-face sessions (within the limits and methods authorised in relation to the spread of the pandemic), meetings with experts and innovative companies, individual work sessions supported through the use of dedicated platforms, opportunities for discussion and exchange between the participants, both locally and internationally.
The general programme contents will be:
- An itinerary to transform an innovative idea into a business model: an in-depth analysis of the context and markets; product design and development; stakeholder mapping; international best practices of reference; the creation of eco-sustainable and eco-friendly added value; problem-solving; evaluation tools and methods; business planning; budgeting and cost and revenue analysis; eco-design and the creation of a green business model canvas.
- Designing circular and sustainable production chains: circular design; raw materials; production processes; packaging and distribution; communication, marketing and sales; use and management of end-of-life products; recovery and reuse; certifications, the standards system and related legislation; blockchains and the study of Big Data systems.
Furthermore, the Capacity Building Programme affords participants the possibility to consult the exclusive sustainable fabrics section of the Museo del Tessuto’s Textile Library and to be active participants in a community of approximately 200 young eco-innovators from the Mediterranean through dedicated online events.
The online training and tools available can also be provided in English.
● The Call for Proposals and the Capacity Building Programme Schedule
- The call closes on 31 March 2021.
- The list of selected participants will be published by 9 April 2021
- The Capacity Building Programme will take place from April-May 2021.
The calendar of activities, yet to be determined, will be published on the Museo del Tessuto website by 12 April 2021.
● Are you interested in participating?
Fill out the form to participate in the call for proposals
For further information:
Filippo Guarini,
Project Manager STAND Up! – Museo del Tessuto | f.guarini@museodeltessuto.it
Francesco Bolli,
Communication Manager STAND Up! – Museo del Tessuto | f.bolli@museodeltessuto.it