2020-2023 // STAND Up!

The STAND Up! project addresses the need for transition to an environmentally and socially responsible circular model in the textile sector, a traditional key industry in the Mediterranean with an undoubtful cross-border nature. The project intends to support textile entrepreneurs and eco-innovative ventures in 5 participating countries and help them seize the business opportunities and employment that the green evolution will inevitably generate in the region. STAND Up! goal is ambitious and so is its scope with many actions to be undertaken in training, financial grants, market stimulation, technology transfer, Intellectual Property Rights protection, etc. As a result, the SMEs of the sector will be more competitive and, at aggregate level, the value chain will be strengthened, and new cross-border linkages established.

STAND Up! will lead to an increase in the income of existing green SMEs as well as the creation of new sustainable textile enterprises. This will generate a natural demand for new jobs that will be met by high skilled people. Concretely, 400 ideation-stage ventures will be supported to help them create future employment opportunities; 20 early and growth stage ventures to maintain stable employment and create, at least, two new direct jobs each.

Besides this direct and indirect impact, the stimulation of innovation and sector aggregation will minimize negative environmental impact along the garment lifecycle and smooth the region’s transition towards sustainable consumption and production in the textile and clothing industry. All in all, the project will mark a significant step-change in each region’s ability to harness the power of eco-innovation and entrepreneurialism in the textile (Italy and Spain) and clothing (Lebanon, Tunisia and Egypt) sectors.