The Open Call is now closed: What’s next?
Our call for innovative, sustainable fashion projects has been loud and clear: Since its announcement back in January, the open call has gained the attention of hundreds of creative startups, designer and SMEs throughout Europe and beyond. Until the closing of the call on April 19th, we have received more than 170 amazing project proposals from designers, startups and SMEs from 32 countries. A big THANK YOU to those who participated and those who helped us spread the word!
From the entries that reached us in time, 113 met the eligibility criteria and underwent an in-depth evaluation by the Fashion For Change project team, including hundreds of Powerpoint presentations, video messages, proof-of-partnerships, self-assessment results, YouTube and Vimeo clips, and websites.
All proposals are subject to a two-stage selection procedure: a technical check considering the country of origin, followed by a quality check considering the level of excellence (ambition, innovation), impact (market & environmental impact, scalability, social impact), and ability (professional expertise, team, feasibility) to actually implement these projects.
In the first week of May, once the quality check is completed, the jury will announce a shortlist of 35 applicants who will be contacted and personally invited to the Fashion for Change Designathon on June 16 – 17 June. At this 2-day online event, they will have a chance to pitch their project to a jury of external industry experts, who will select 25 finalists for the Fashion for Change 2022 Growth Programme, including a grant of up to €25.000 per team.
Applicants who are shortlisted but haven’t got their company legally registered and/or haven’t teamed up with an international partner yet will have the time to do so by the end of May. They could, for example, partner up with projects that didn’t get selected if they see a fit.
Candidates who get invited to the Designathon, who are legally established and have a transnational partner are all set and ready to go!