Aiming to bring a holistic perspective to decarbonisation in the textiles industry, the Global Change Award will now back a wider range of changemakers with early-stage innovations and, in a departure from an open application system it will operate a nomination-based process.
- This process that aims to discover changemakers who might otherwise be overlooked and to broaden the impact of the GCA, will involve a variety of actors like industry experts, research institutes, brands, garment suppliers, innovators and non-profits.
THE NOMINATION PROCESS has already commenced. Winners will be announced in April 2025.
- A total of 10 winners will be awarded with each receiving 200,000 EUR.
- The programme is designed to elevate the innovations, while fostering personal growth and promoting a holistic mindset that avoids “carbon tunnel vision” and encourages solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
- Towards this, it is seeking innovative ideas addressing different high emission areas across the textile industry value chain, including sustainable materials and processes, responsible production, mindful consumption, and ‘wildcards’.
NETWORK STRENGTH: In addition to financial support, winners will gain access to a powerful network of mentors, collaborators, and industry leaders to help bring their solutions to life.
- Together with long-term partners Accenture and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, H&M Foundation will invite the winners to participate in a year-long Changemaker Programme.
- Since its launch in 2015, 46 innovations have received support and a combined grant of €8 million from the GCA.
WHAT THEY SAID:
The textile industry needs all hands-on deck if we are going to meet our climate goals by 2050, and we must ensure this transition is fair for everyone. I really believe that innovation is key to decarbonising the industry, and that the Global Change Award can play a role in identifying and growing future changemakers whose ideas can have a transformative impact if given the right support.
— Karl-Johan Persson
Board Member
H&M Foundation
