FutureProofTextiles: €50,000 Grants Now Available for Textile SMEs to Innovate and Grow

Bulgarian Digital Cluster participates in the launch of the first FutureProofTextiles Open Call, a landmark initiative co-funded by the European Union’s Single Market Programme (SMP).

The textile industry is at a crossroads, facing high investment costs and a pressing need for digital and green skills. This project provides the financial “lump sum” support and technical guidance necessary for SMEs to modernize their operations without the usual financial risks.

Selected SMEs will enter a 9-month implementation period supported by:

💶 Direct Funding: A €50,000 grant to cover staff costs, equipment, software, and networking.

🎓 Capacity Building: Tailored training programs and one-on-one mentoring for market entry strategies.

🔒 Exclusive Ownership: Any intellectual property (IPR) developed during the project remains the exclusive property of the SME.

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to single SMEs (not consortia) operating within the textile value chain, including apparel, technical textiles, and recycling. We also welcome tech and machinery providers whose innovations directly benefit textile production.

Basic Eligibility Checklist:

1. SME Status: Must meet the EU definition of an SME.
2. Location: Established in an SMP-participating country.
3. Technical Readiness: The proposed innovation must be at TRL 5 or higher.
4. Financial Commitment: Ability to secure €10,000 in self-funding (cash or debt).

How to Prepare Your Proposal

The application process is designed to be straightforward but requires careful preparation of mandatory documents:

• Step 1: Review the Needs Assessment Report to align your innovation with industry gaps.
• Step 2: Download and fill the Tables with Activities, Budget, and Risks template.
• Step 3: Sign the mandatory SME and Eligibility Declarations.
• Step 4: Submit everything via the EU Survey Platform before the deadline.

Key Dates

📅 Call Opens: June 22, 2026 (11:00 CET).

📅 Submission Deadline: September 18, 2026 (23:59 CET).

Ready to submit?

🔗 Official Application Portal: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/FutureProofTextiles-1st-OpenCall

If you still have doubts, please contact us at pt.eu.helpdesk@gmail.com.