The European Social Innovation Competition, launched in memory of Diogo Vasconcelos, is a Competition run by the European Commission across all European countries, now in its eighth year. The 2020 Competition is titled Reimagine Fashion – changing behaviours for sustainable fashion. We are looking for ideas that seek to improve the environmental and social impact of the European fashion market through the development of new products, services and processes, and innovative business models.
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We are looking for ideas from one or more of the fields listed below and we encourage solutions that address several of these areas through a systems perspective:
Solutions for sustainable use and consumption
- Change consumption patterns and behaviours regarding the linear use of ‘fast’ fashion
- Extend the life cycle of fashion products
- Reduce the use and consumption of fashion and textiles through innovative business models in favour of reuse, upcycling and sharing
- Make sustainable and fair fashion more broadly accessible
- Stimulate socially inclusive processes throughout the fashion value chain
Solutions for sustainable production
- Net zero waste and climate neutral fashion and textiles production
- Closed loop fashion and textiles systems
- Sourcing of alternative, sustainable feedstock
- Innovative techniques that build on traditional or local crafts for socially sustainable products
- Innovations that reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion market
Solutions for improving the end of life stage
- Environmentally and socially respectful ways of recycling textiles, while maintaining their value
- Reuse of textile by-products before they become waste
WHAT WE OFFER
Semi-Finalists that participate in the Competition have access to a range of support from social innovation experts
1-to-1 dedicated mentoring from locally-based coaches
Access to an online pool of experts from across Europe
A series of exclusive webinars covering topics about social innovation and sustainable fashion
A 3-4 day residential training Academy, including group workshops, discussion panels, guest speakers, and 1 to 1 support
Ongoing peer support and networking with fellow entrants
Promotion on the Competition’s website, social media channels, newsletter and press releases as well as by the European Commission
Press support from Media and Communications experts, including a media asset kit
An opportunity to win one of three 50,000 Euro cash prizes and ongoing recognition as an Alumni of the Competition with access to the Alumni Network
An opportunity to win a further 50,000 Euro cash prize the following year as part of the 2021 Impact Prize
Achieving impact
- Theory of Change
- Social innovation movement
Launching your idea
- Prototyping
- Business models
Telling your story
- Communications strategy
- Elevator pitch
For more information about the Competition please visit the Innovators page.
For questions please contact us on: info@socialinnovationprize.eu