Submit Nominations for Global Change Award

Deadline: 02-Oct-2026

The Global Change Award is an international innovation challenge supporting early-stage changemakers developing solutions to transform the textile and fashion industry towards sustainability. Ten winners each receive a €200,000 grant with no strings attached, along with access to a year-long Changemaker Programme, expert guidance, industry networks, and opportunities to showcase their innovations internationally.

About the Global Change Award

The Global Change Award is recognized as one of the world’s leading innovation challenges for the textile industry. The programme aims to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable and planet-positive fashion and textile sector. The award supports early-stage innovations that have the potential to help transform how the textile industry operates and address major environmental challenges. What Is the Global Change Award? The Global Change Award is designed for early-stage changemakers with innovative ideas that could contribute to a more sustainable textile industry. The challenge focuses on innovations that can help the textile sector significantly reduce its environmental impact, particularly greenhouse gas emissions. The broader ambition is to help the textile industry: - Halve greenhouse gas emissions every decade. - Accelerate the transition towards a planet-positive sector. - Support the development of innovative sustainability solutions. - Contribute to the long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Who Is the Award For? The Global Change Award supports early-stage changemakers working on innovative solutions for the textile and fashion industry. The challenge is particularly relevant to innovators developing ideas that could help address sustainability challenges across the textile sector. Applicants and innovators should have solutions with the potential to contribute to the industry’s transition towards greater environmental sustainability. How Much Funding Is Available? Each of the 10 winners receives a €200,000 grant. The grant is provided with no strings attached, giving winners financial support to further develop their innovative ideas. In addition to the financial award, winners receive access to a year-long development programme designed to help them strengthen their ideas, build connections, and engage with industry experts. What Is the Changemaker Programme? The winners participate in a year-long Changemaker Programme. The programme is designed in partnership with: - Accenture. - KTH Royal Institute of Technology. - The Mills Fabrica. It provides winners with opportunities to gain practical experience, receive expert guidance, and connect with a global network of people working to transform the textile industry. What Does the Changemaker Programme Offer? The Changemaker Programme provides an immersive experience focused on helping innovators develop their solutions and strengthen their potential impact.

Participants benefit from

- Immersive experiences. - Expert guidance. - Access to industry knowledge. - Connections with industry leaders. - A global network of fellow innovators. - Opportunities to develop their ideas and solutions. The programme is intended to complement the financial grant by providing winners with knowledge, connections, and opportunities to engage with the wider textile innovation ecosystem. Focus on Textile Industry Transformation The Global Change Award focuses on innovations capable of contributing to major changes in the textile and fashion industry. The challenge recognizes that transforming the sector requires new approaches and technologies that can reduce environmental impacts while supporting a more sustainable future. Innovations supported through the award are expected to contribute to the broader ambition of creating a planet-positive fashion and textile sector. Climate and Sustainability Goals A major focus of the Global Change Award is reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the textile industry. The award supports innovations aligned with the ambition of helping the textile industry halve its greenhouse gas emissions every decade. The long-term goal is to contribute to a textile and fashion sector capable of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Global Network and Industry Connections Beyond funding, winners gain access to a global network of industry leaders and fellow innovators. These connections can help early-stage changemakers learn from others, exchange ideas, and develop relationships across the textile innovation ecosystem. The international nature of the programme also provides opportunities for innovators to engage with people working on sustainability and industry transformation around the world. Global Change Award Summit The winners are introduced to the textile industry through the Global Change Award Summit. The summit provides an opportunity for the selected changemakers to present their innovations and become part of the wider global conversation around the future of sustainable textiles. Winners are also celebrated at Stockholm City Hall, providing additional recognition for their contribution to textile innovation. How the Award Supports Early-Stage Changemakers Early-stage innovators often need more than financial resources to turn promising ideas into impactful solutions.

The Global Change Award combines:

- Direct financial support. - A year-long Changemaker Programme. - Expert guidance. - Immersive experiences. - Industry connections. - A global network of innovators. - International visibility. This combination is designed to help changemakers strengthen their ideas while connecting them with the broader textile and fashion industry. Why the Global Change Award Matters The textile industry faces significant sustainability and climate challenges. New innovations are needed to support changes across the sector and accelerate progress towards lower emissions and more sustainable production and consumption. By supporting early-stage