Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Date of latest update: 2025-12-17

Description

Description (EN):

TEX-DAN aims at the uptake of technologies at SMEs for improved circularity in the textile and fashion (T&F) value chains through transnational collaboration in the Danube Region. The Danube Region is characterised by large differences in the use of circular solutions in the textile and fashion value chains. For example, with regard to handling of textile Germany, Austria and Czech Republic are frontrunners, whereas other countries have a lot to do to catch them up. In many aspects – including circularity - textile and fashion sectors lag behind other sectors. In addition, a low level of awareness to circular solutions is observed all over the Danube Region. Therefore, the TEX-DAN partnership agrees that there is a need for improvement in knowledge, approaches, know how about innovative technologies, support measures, policy change that will lead to successful embedding of circularity in the textile branch. There is need for awareness raising activities, connecting market participants and education. In our project we will test technology solutions along 4 key segments of the T&F value chain: 1) bioeconomy clothing, 2) circular design, 3) circulation production processes, 4) recycling. Our partnership aims at upgrading local, regional and national policies that promote circularity. The project aims at boosting transnational collaboration and knowledge exchange and will set up various sustainable transnational collaboration forms. TEX-DAN demonstrates a comprehensive partnership with 14 PPs and 7 ASPs. Geographical coverage is broad including 11 countries from the Danube Region and 1 international association. The partnership (including ASPs) is composed of 1 regional innovation agency, 6 regional/national development agencies/public bodies, 1 foundation, 3 higher education institutes, 5 BSOs, 4 interest groups/NGOs and 1 international association. All partners contribute in a meaningful way to objectives of TEX-DAN.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The TEX-DAN project was kicked off successfully in Period 1. Each project partner is on board and actively contributes to project activities. At project level, management structures were set up. The Central Management Team takes care of the daily management tasks at project level. It is composed of the project manager, Zoltan Bendo (LP STRIA), the deputy project manager, Diana Pazaurek (LP STRIA), the finance manager, Aniko Kiss (LP STRIA) and the communication manager, Ebonita Curkovic (PP8 HAMAG-BICRO). The quality assurance manager is Zsolt Palmai (LP STRIA). The Steering Committee was established during the kick-off meeting. Each project partner delegated one member to the Steering Committee. The subsidy contract of the project was signed in March 2024. During the start-up phase of the project, each project partner set up their local project team. Local project teams comprise of the project manager, the communication manager, and the financial manager. Project partners have informed their concerned departments about the project start. Partners have filled in relevant segments of JEMS. Each partner managed to establish contacts with their first level control. Some of the partners have national co-financing mechanisms – these have been arranged duly in Period 1. Channels of internal communication have been set up: partners use a joint mailing list and project documents are uploaded to a dedicated google drive shared with partners. The google drive serves also as an online collaboration platform. Local project teams are in regular contact with the central management team of the project. All partners take part actively in the monthly virtual project meetings at which the status of activities is discussed together with management and communication issues. The project held a successful kick-off meeting on 4-6 March 2024 in Pécs, Hungary. Each project partner joined the event in-person and one of the ASPs (ASP3) was present online. Beyond discussing administrative issues and launching the first thematic tasks, project partners visited a local leather gloves manufacturer SME that puts circularity in the centre of its operations. The lead partner participated actively on the lead partner seminar in April 2024 in Belgrade. As for project level communication partners elaborated and approved the project’s communication strategy. The official homepage of the project has been filled with basic content, enrichment of the homepage takes place from Period 2 on. The project has launched social media channels: Facebook, Linkedin and Youtube, on which first contents were published. The three social media channels have altogether 102 followers. At partner level, all partners printed the compulsory poster and placed it in their premises. Project partners published information about the project on their organisation’s website. In addition to that most partners introduced the project on their social media channels and they place project related posts on them. Regarding synergy building activities, TEX-DAN has the closest connection with the Green-TEX project. The two projects mutually participated on each other’s kick-off meeting and had a presentation on planned joint activities during the lead partner seminar in Belgrade. Furthermore, TEX-DAN identified some of the other projects for potential synergies during the lead partner seminar in Belgrade. The first four thematic activities have been launched in the project. These are: Activity 1.1 and Activity 1.2 (Specific Objective 1) and Activity 3.1 and Activity 3.2 (Specific Objective 3). All partners contributed actively to these activities. In the frame of these activities, partners contacted numerous SMEs and stakeholders and collected input from them for the territorial analyses and for circular good practices in various forms (interviews, online surveys). 5 countries have organised a local workshop, too. Project partners participated actively in ongoing project activities in Period 1 and 2. At project level, management structures were set up at the start of the project. The Central Management Team takes care of the daily management tasks at project level. The Steering Committee was established during the kick-off meeting in March 2024. The subsidy contract was signed in March 2024. Each PP set up their local project team that have performed well in both periods. Channels of internal communication have been set up and work properly. All partners take part actively in the monthly virtual project meetings. As for project level communication partners elaborated and approved the project’s communication strategy. The official homepage of the project has been filled with relevant content and it is updated regularly. The project has launched and maintains social media channels. Project partners have placed and regularly update information about the project on their organisation’s website. So far, the partnership had 3 in-person meetings: The kick-off meeting was held on 4-6 March 2024 in Pécs, Hungary. The 1st study trip (focus recycling) was organised by PP3 NARA-SK in Zvolen on 18-19 Sept. 2024. The 2nd study trip (focus circular production processes) was organised by PP4 CECC in Novi Sad on 21-22 Nov. 2024. Together with the study trip, PPs held a partnership and Steering Committee meeting to discuss ongoing activities in the project. Partners actively participated on both study trips and many of them managed to bring stakeholders to these events. Regarding synergy building activities, TEX-DAN has the closest connection with Green-TEX. The two projects mutually participated on each other’s kick-off meeting and had a presentation on planned joint activities during the lead partner seminar in Belgrade. As for thematic tasks, project partners have made progress in all project specific objectives by the end of Period 2. Under SO1 PPs worked in Act. 1.1, Act. 1.2., Act. 1.3 and Act. 1.6. Under Act 1.1. all regions have completed their territorial analysis on legal and regulatory challenges (D112). In Period 1 and 2, 9 countries (HU, CZ, AT, BIH, RO, SRB, SLO, CR, BG) organised a local workshop (D1.1.3) to which relevant stakeholders were invited. In Act. 1.2, all regions have finalized their territorial analysis (D.1.2.2) based on the inputs they had collected in Period 1. Under Act. 1.3., activity coordinator PP7 RARS proposed a structure for the joint report. RARS elaborated the draft of the joint report using the territorial analyses from Act. 1.1 and Act. 1.2. Based on remarks and joint discussions, RARS has finalized D.1.3.1 Joint report defining intervention areas. In the frame of Act 1.6 PP14 BLUE PLANET proposed a draft for the awareness raising strategy (D1.6.1) that has been finalized using partners’ comments. Under SO2, partners worked in Act 2.1, Act 2.2 and Act 2.3. Act 2.1 coordinator, PP10 FHS proposed a methodology for the pilot schemes. Partners made remarks to the methodology and they took part in discussions. Based on these a jointly agreed methodology has been reached by the partnership (D2.1.1.). Beyond that all partners selected a focal area as the main topic of their planned pilot. Using the joint methodology PPs developed their regional pilot scheme (D.2.1.2). Partners involved various stakeholders in the preparation of the pilot scheme through meetings and discussions. 13 partners carry out pilot activities (PP14 BLUE PLANET does not take part actively in piloting). From 13 partners 8 have started with first piloting activities and 5 partners commence the activity in Period 3. In some cases, it is foreseen that piloting will go beyond June 2025. Under SO3, partners worked in Act 3.1, Act. 3.2 and Act 3.3. Act. 3.1 was launched at the start of the project. Act. coordinator, PP13 ZIPHOUSE made a proposal regarding the joint methodology for the technology mapping (D.1.3.1) and offered a template for the good practice collection. Partners have identified prospective good practices and then engaged in talks, negotiations with various stakeholders including SMEs, chambers of commerce, clusters, business support organisations to elaborate the good practices. Partners have filled in and completed the agreed templates to finalise deliverable 3.1.2. With regard to Act 3.2, the partnership completed the business model related good practice collection in Period 2. The related deliverable (D.3.2.2) is finalized. Altogether 60 good practices focusing on circular business models have been collected. D.3.2.3 has been completed in the first months in Period 3. As part of Act. 3.3 the partnership further developed the good practices that partners had collected previously. PP6 REGINNOVA offered a template. Based on partners comments a jointly agreed structure was accepted. Partners used this template to elaborate the case studies. The partnership has developed altogether 47 case studies. All project partners contributed to project progress during Period 1-3. At project level, management structures were set up at the start of the project. The Central Management Team takes care of the daily management tasks at project level. The Steering Committee was established during the kick-off meeting in March 2024. The subsidy contract was signed in March 2024. Each PP set up their local project team that have performed well in the first three periods. Channels of internal communication have been set up and work properly. All partners take part actively in the monthly virtual project meetings. As for project level communication partners elaborated and approved the project’s communication strategy and also adopted an awareness raising strategy. The official homepage of the project has been filled with relevant content and it is updated regularly. The project has launched and maintains social media channels. Project partners have placed and regularly update information about the project on their organisation’s website. So far, the partnership had 5 in-person meetings: The kick-off meeting was held in March 2024 in Pécs. The 1st study trip (focus recycling) was organised by PP3 NARA-SK in Zvolen in September 2024. The 2nd study trip (focus circular production processes) was organised by PP4 CECC in Novi Sad in November 2024. Together with the study trip, PPs held a partnership and Steering Committee meeting to discuss ongoing activities in the project. Partners had project progress meeting incl. the 1st year review in Banja Luka in March 2025. The project’s mid-term dissemination event was held in Zagreb in June 2025. Partners actively participated in all in-person meeting and many of them managed to bring stakeholders to these events. Regarding synergy building activities, TEX-DAN has the closest connection with Green-TEX. The two projects mutually participated on each other’s kick-off meeting and had a presentation on planned joint activities during the lead partner seminar in Belgrade. Joint hybrid meetings were held in January, March and June 2025. As for thematic tasks, project partners have made progress in all project specific objectives by the end of Period 3. Under SO1 PPs have completed Act. 1.1, Act. 1.2. and, Act. 1.3. and Act 1.4 and Act1.6 are ongoing. and Act. 1.6. Under A11, the two remaining workshops have been organised by the concerned countries (SK, MD). In A14, coordinator PP9 RAPIV introduced the objective and planned content in Banja Luka in March 2025. RAPIV proposed a structure for the Strategy in June 2025. According to the proposal the intervention areas defined under A13 will be turned into strategic objectives. The Strategy will discuss the legal framework and alignment with relevant priority areas of the EUSDR. Under SO2, partners completed Act2.1 and Act 2.2 and Act 2.3 are ongoing. With regards to Activity 2.2, 13 from 14 partners carry out pilot. All 13 partners were progressing with the piloting in Period 3. Progress included publication/promotion of call for SMEs for the participation in the pilot, selection of SMEs to be enrolled in the piloting, specifying the exact needs and scope of assistance to selected pilots, involving fitting expertise to provide the assistance (internally or externally) and service provision and monitoring the pilot. Project partners have agreed on the structure of D221 Technology transfer reports and D222 4 pilot implementation reports. During Period 3, two partners (PP2 JAIP -CZ and PP12 MGFU - HU) managed to complete the piloting and produce the Technology transfer reports. Under Activity 2.3. the Activity coordinator PP12 MGFU introduced their proposal for the transnational peer review methodology of pilots. Project partners provided comments to the methodology and took part in the related discussions on the partnership meetings.. Under SO3, Activity 3.1 is completed. In Period 3, partners worked in Act. 3.2, Act 3.3 and Act. 3.4. With regard to Activity 3.2, mapping and collecting circular business models has been completed already by Period 2 (D.3.2.1 and D3.2.2). As for the communication pack using good practices (D.3.2.3) an e-brochure has been agreed by partners that will contain a selection of the case studies elaborated under Activity 3.3. Finalisation of the e-brochure will take place in the beginning of Period 4. As part of Activity 3.3 preparatory steps were made to organize the remaining two study trips. Activity coordinator PP5 ISD introduced the objective and planned content of Act 3.4 in March 2025.. Partners provided comments to the approach and took part in related discussions. The first task under the activity was to collect and structure publicly available information of businesses for matchmaking purposes. Partners collected relevant data of textile and fashion industry SMEs in their national database.

Project outputs: TEX-DAN Strategy for improving circularity in the textile and fashion value chains in the Danube Region(EN)
Joint Action Plan for improving circularity in the textile and fashion value chains in the Danube Region(EN)
Joint pilot report(EN)
TEX-DAN technology report(EN)
Establishment of the Danube circular textile cluster(EN)
Website: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/tex-dan

Thematic information

ICT and digital society SME and entrepreneurship

Priority: (VI-B_D_1) Priority 1 - A more competitive and smarter Danube Region

Priority specific objective: RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 030 Research and innovation processes, technology transfer and cooperation between enterprises, focusing on circular economy

Partners (14)

Lead Partner: DDRIÜ Dél-Dunántúli Regionális Innovációs Ügynökség Nonprofit Kft.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 14194799-2-02

Address: Mária utca, 7621 Pécs, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: https://ddriu.hu/en/home/

Total budget: EUR 362 898.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 290 318.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 72 579.60

Kék Bolygó Klímavédelmi Alapítvány

Name: Kék Bolygó Klímavédelmi Alapítvány

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU18869891

Address: Döbrentei utca, 1013 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: https://kekbolygoalapitvany.hu/

Total budget: EUR 95 505.94

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 76 404.75

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 19 101.19

Universitatea Tehnică din Moldova

Name: Universitatea Tehnică din Moldova

Department: ZIPHOUSE Fashion Innovation Hub

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1007600001506

Address: Studentilor, 2045 Chisinau, Moldova

Department address: Studentilor, 2045 Chisinau, Moldova

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://ziphouse.utm.md/

Total budget: EUR 125 274.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 100 219.84

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 25 054.96

IFKA Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft.

Name: IFKA Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft.

Department: Department of International Relations

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU23833904

Address: Rákóczi út, 1074 Budapest, Hungary

Department address: Rákóczi út, 1074 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: https://ifka.hu/

Total budget: EUR 235 602.74

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 188 482.19

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 47 120.55

BSC, Poslovno podporni center d.o.o. Kranj

Name: BSC, Poslovno podporni center d.o.o. Kranj

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI 32865597

Address: Cesta Staneta Žagarja , 4000 Kranj, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.bsc-kranj.si

Total budget: EUR 192 812.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 154 250.08

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 562.52

Contractors:

Name: Medijska Klinika Ltd.
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI95046216
Name: TITERA Ltd.
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI98278215
Name: T-GLOBAL Ltd.
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI41702727

Fachhochschule Salzburg (FHS) GmbH

Name: Fachhochschule Salzburg (FHS) GmbH

Department: Department Business & Tourism

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU 44554503

Address: Urstein Süd , 5412 Puch/Salzburg, Austria

Department address: Urstein Süd , 5412 Puch/Salzburg, Austria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.fh-salzburg.ac.at

Total budget: EUR 253 633.94

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 202 907.15

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 50 726.79

Регионална агенция за предприемачество и иновации - Варна

Name: Регионална агенция за предприемачество и иновации - Варна

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG103792060

Address: Professor Asen Zlatarov , 9000 Varna, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.rapiv.org

Total budget: EUR 156 631.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 125 305.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 31 326.30

Hrvatska agencija za malo gospodarstvo, inovacije i investicije

Name: Hrvatska agencija za malo gospodarstvo, inovacije i investicije

Department: Sektor za podršku i razvoj poduzetništva, koordinaciju i međunarodnu suradnju

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 25609559342

Address: Ksaver , 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Department address: Ksaver , 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: https://en.hamagbicro.hr/

Total budget: EUR 139 987.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 111 989.76

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 27 997.44

Razvojna agencija Republike Srpske

Name: Razvojna agencija Republike Srpske

Department: Strategic Planning Department

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4402108570003

Address: Trg jasenovačkih žrtava, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Department address: Trg jasenovačkih žrtava, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.rars-msp.org/en/

Total budget: EUR 173 207.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 138 566.24

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 641.56

ASOCIATIA REGINNOVA NE

Name: ASOCIATIA REGINNOVA NE

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CIF36644355

Address: Calea Chisinaului , 700179 Iasi, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.reginnova.org/about

Total budget: EUR 259 300.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 207 440.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 51 860.00

Zavod za trajnostni razvoj

Name: Zavod za trajnostni razvoj

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 95321284

Address: Koritno, 4260 Bled, Slovenia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.isd.si

Total budget: EUR 201 242.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 160 993.92

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 248.48

Centar izvrsnosti za cirkularnu ekonomiju i klimatske promene d.o.o Novi Sad

Name: Centar izvrsnosti za cirkularnu ekonomiju i klimatske promene d.o.o Novi Sad

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 111427712

Address: Resavska , 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: https://centercecc.org/

Total budget: EUR 136 778.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 109 422.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 27 355.60

Contractors:

Name: OrgWaste Novi Sad
VAT registration or tax identification number: 111043524
Name: Astra Company 021 doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: 105449928

Národná recyklačná agentúra Slovensko

Name: Národná recyklačná agentúra Slovensko

Department: Slovakia

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 42396336

Address: A.Hlinku , 96001 Zvolen, Slovakia

Department address: A.Hlinku , 96001 Zvolen, Slovakia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.narask.sk

Total budget: EUR 217 982.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 174 385.76

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 43 596.44

JAIP – Jihočeská agentura pro podporu inovací, o.p.s.

Name: JAIP – Jihočeská agentura pro podporu inovací, o.p.s.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ26091143

Address: Na Zlaté stoce, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.jaip.cz

Total budget: EUR 166 035.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 132 828.16

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 33 207.04

Contractors:

Name: Petr Otáhal, a.s.
VAT registration or tax identification number: CZ26820927

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Blue Planet Climate Protection Foundation

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

Technical University of Moldova

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

IFKA Public Benefit Nonprofit Ltd.

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

BSC, Business support centre L.t.d., Kranj

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

University of Applied Sciences GmbH

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

Regional Agency for Entrepreneurship and Innovations - Varna

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

Croatian Agency for SME, Innovation and Investments

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

Reginnova NE Association

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

Institute for Sustainable Development

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

Center of Excellence for Circular Economy and Climate Change llc.Novi Sad

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

National recycling agency of Slovakia

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

JAIP – South Bohemian Agency for Support to Innovation

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Partners and Projects info

South Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency

Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

Project acronym: TEX-DAN

Project ID: DRP0200164

Project start date: 2024-01-01

Project end date: 2026-06-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Circular SME SCAN, ERASMUS+ (EN) | Circular SME Scan (CSS) started in April 2021, with STRIA as LP. The main goal of CSS is to support innovative practices in digital era, aims at creating a self-scan and learning platform that develops circular economy skills-competences of SMEs. Some of the contacted and involved SMEs belong to the textile and fashion industry. Therefore, the project can contribute to the knowledge base of TEX-DAN and parts of its experience can be transferred to the learning curve including its approach, too. (EN), ENTeR (Interreg Central Europe) (EN) | ENTeR (2017-2020) is thematically strongly linked to TEX-DAN since it aimed at promoting and encouraging the circular economy and industrial symbiosis in the textile sector in Central Europe. We intend to use and potentially capitalise on their results in our activities. The project had 9 pilots that are all interesting to us, but most of all 3 of them: “3D printing in the textile industry”, “Prolongation of the service life of textile products” and “From residues to raw material”. Moreover, the Material Matchmaking Platform (a tool that developed in ENTeR) is also relevant for us - potentially we can build on it in TEX-DAN. HU partners of TEX-DAN have good connections to the Hungarian partners of ENTeR (Innovatext and PBN), which will facilitate the knowledge transfer from ENTeR to TEX-DAN. (EN), GREEN-TEX (Interreg Danube 1st call) (EN) | If both projects approved, GREEN-TEX and TEX-DAN will run parallel from 2024. The projects are committed to coordinate activities and share results. There are some differences in geographic coverage (ME is included in GREEN-TEX but not in TEX-DAN and AT, CZ and MD are included in TEX-DAN but not in GREEN-TEX): with the sharing of the results of the analyses in both projects a larger geographic coverage is at hand for further work, actions, conclusions and recommendations. The two projects will have 3 joint meetings: 1) after analyses are completed and before pilots are started to share results of the analytic work and harmonise pilots, 2) during pilots so that first pilot experience is shared and any adjustments can be made if needed, 3) the final dissemination event will be a joint event of the two consortia organised by TEX-DAN but the physical and virtual participation of GREEN-TEX representatives. Reaching to policy level will be done jointly in cases where it makes sense to reach critical mass and ensure better visibility. For increased durability the projects will support each other: among others the LP1 STRIA will sign the Memorandum of Understanding of the GREEN-TEX Pact and LP of GREEN-TEX will join the cluster established in TEX-DAN. Furthermore, the LPs will encourage project partners to do the same.
Sharing of results and coordination of activities will be supported by several connections in the partnership. ASP5 University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology is a project partner in GREEN-TEX. SERDA, the LP in GREEN-TEX has good working contacts from previous projects with our PP7 RARS. LP1 STRIA in TEX-DAN has direct contacts to PP11 in GREEN-TEX (Active first Hungarian Responsible Innovation Association). We also count on that the ministries in BiH involved as ASPs in the two projects will have direct exchange with each other on policy level and will facilitate the project implementation and taking results to policy level in BiH efficiently.
(EN), TRIS (Interreg, 2016-2021) (EN) | The TRIS project is relevant to TEX-DAN because of its focus on the Industrial Symbiosis concept, which is an important building block of circular economy. The project’s findings are relevant for TEX-DAN - particularly for our Danube Circ-TEX value chain under Activity 3.4. PP12 IFKA was a project partner in TRIS, therefore deliverables and outputs are at hand for TEX-DAN. (EN), MOVECO (Interreg Danube, 2016-2019) (EN) | The MOVECO project embraced the circular economy concept with a sector-neutral approach, even though the project touched on the clothing industry to some extent. Even if we have a concrete sectorial focus of the textile and fashion industry, results of the project are worth investigating in our analytical work. These include the developed toolboxes, the marketplace, the collaboration solution among others. Both of our Slovene partners know the MOVECO lead partner Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, which is a good starting point for exploring and building on their results in detail. (EN), REDUCES (Interreg Europe, 2019-2023) (EN) | The REDUCES project focuses on circular business models relevant for European regions. Their focus is on models of product as a service, renewability, sharing platforms, product life extension and resource efficiency and recycling. Beyond the circular technologies, we also have a focal point on circular business models (Activity 3.2) and even if REDUCES does not have specific sector focus some of their results and findings can be relevant in the textile value chain. There are no partner overlaps with REDUCES but two of our participating countries (Romania and Bulgaria) had partners in REDUCES, of which we may take the advantage during the TEX-DAN implementation. (EN), CircE (Interreg Europe, 2017-2021) (EN) | The CircE project aimed at strengthening the diffusion of Circular Economy (CE) in Europe, consistently with the European Commission’s Circular Economy Package (2015). Similar to other “early” circular projects, CircE did not have a sector focus, either but the 30+ good practices that they have collected can be relevant for our work in TEX-DAN. More than that, some of their events were targeted to textile industry and the analyses and related action plans may so be relevant for us. (EN), CESME (Interreg Europe 2016-2020) (EN) | The CESME project intended to understand how SMEs can exploit the opportunities of circular value chains. They have developed their circular economy toolkit and a white book guiding SMEs step by step into circular economy that we will process in our work in TEX-DAN. (EN), RETRACE (Interreg Europe 2016-2020) (EN) | The RETRACE project’s main goal was to promote the adoption of Systemic Design as a method allowing regional and local policies in their transitions towards a circular economy. The Systemic Design approach, developed by the research group of the Department of Architecture and Design at Politecnico di Torino (Italy), seeks to create complex industrial systems. It aims to implement sustainable productive systems in which material and energy flows are designed so that output from one productive process becomes input to other processes, preventing waste from being released into the environment. Our ASP2 Agentia pentru Dezvoltare Regionala Nord-Est was a project partner in this project that will help us better understand and use the results from RETRACE. (EN), WOOL (Interreg Adrion, 2020 – 2022) (EN) | Overall objective of the WOOL project was to conserve wool as an important natural resource and to protect cultural heritage of traditional hand-made wool products by enhancing the regional cooperation and knowledge transfer and by promoting the common ADRION regional brand. For TEX-DAN, the learnings from the establishment of the ADRION WOOL Network and the promotion of regional WOOL brand are relevant for our Danube Circular Textile Cluster, the Danube Circ-TEX value chain(s) and the Danube short-transport textile brand. Moreover, we will explore whether we are able to build on the results from the pilot on wool processing analysis (mapping of the value chain members). SERDA the LP of GREEN-TEX was a project partner in WOOL – with SERDA we plan continuous cooperation during the project implementation. (EN), CIRCLE (Interreg Adrion, 2020-2022) (EN) | CIRCLE aimed at increasing and spreading knowledge on practical viability of circular economy principles, through a collaborative approach. Their pilot methodology is of particular relevance to us since they developed Circular Innovation Resilient Cities Labs, through which they designed and tested circular models focused on 4 pilot fields: 1) industrial symbiosis, 2) organic wastes, 3) electronic wastes, 4) demolition wastes. This concept is close to what we plan in our pilots in the form of living labs. Although no common partners between CIRCLE and TEX-DAN, still the country overlaps (SI, CR, SRB, BiH) provide some opportunities for direct partner contacts. (EN), TCBL (H2020) (EN) | The goal of the H2020 TCBL Project has been to create a transformational business ecosystem capable of constantly innovating the business and process models of the European Textile and Clothing industry. Over 50 TCBL Labs experimented the implications of potential innovations based on new production and distribution technologies, innovative organisational models, and new creative energies. The TCBL lab model is highly relevant for our pilot. Other synergies will be by creation of value chains, based on knowledge of textile sector in countries, participating in the Horizon project. TCBL association is still living and as ASP of TEX-DAN will provide the project with the newest trends as well as possibility for uptake of project solutions. Our partners PP5 ISD and PP6 REGINNOVA were involved in the TCBL project, too. (EN), CREATIVEWEAR (EN) | Interreg MED CreativeWear project (2016-2019) anticipated how the textile and clothing industry can recover from its deep structural crises through a new attention to design and quality in a value-driven and customer-driven approach. To ensure transferability, the cluster of five Creative Hubs developed the CreativeWear Model, which allowed adaptation of the concept to different cultural and economic contexts. Cooperation between creative and textile sector in the form of open innovation and value chain creation will be synergy between projects. Our PP5 ISD was involved in the CREaTIWEAR project. (EN), InduCult 2.0 (Interreg Central Europe, 2016-2019) (EN) | InduCult2.0 aimed at strengthening the distinct culture of industrial regions, utilizing it as a location factor, empowering the target regions by re-activating their pioneer spirit and thereby promoting and establishing the idea of Industrial Culture in Central Europe. The project focused on small and medium-sized towns, situated outside major agglomeration areas with a distinct industrial past, presence and future. Within INDUCULT 2.0. first creative space for producers in textile, fashion was established and is running and is further supported by our partner PP11 BSC Kranj, which was a partner in this project. The established creative space will be taken into account as a good practice in TEX-DAN. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 716 892.32

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 173 513.85

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Joint methodology for the territorial analyses
11 territorial analyses on legal and regulatory challenges
11 local workshops held
Criteria set for the transnational peer review of pilots
Kick-off meeting
Communication strategy
Joint methodology
11 territorial analyses on behavioural aspects
Joint report defining intervention areas
Draft of TEX-DAN strategy
11 TEX-DAN strategy workshop in each participating country/region
11 Regional action plans
Draft of the Joint action plan
TEX-DAN action plan workshop in each participating country/region
Report on the achievements in action plan implementation
Awareness raising strategy
11 regional reports from 1st regional campaigns
Mid-term dissemination event
11 regional reports from 2nd regional campaigns
Joint final dissemination event
Report from TEX-DAN in transnational events
Joint methodology for the pilot schemes
Four pilot schemes
Technology transfer reports
4 pilot implementation reports
Joint report draft of the completed pilots
Joint peer review report
Draft of the TEX-DAN technology report
Joint methodology for the technology mapping
Good practice database of technologies
Joint methodology for collecting circular business models
Good practice database of circular business models
Communication pack using good practices
Case studies
Report from 1st study trip
Report from 2nd study trip
Report from 3rd study trip
Report from 4th study trip
Matchmaking database
Reports from matchmaking events
Summary report of established transnational value chains
Communication pack using results from the pilot
Rules of operation of the Circ-TEX Made in Danube brand
Open call
Results of the open call and list of awarded entities
Model of cooperation agreement for the Danube circular textile cluster
Rules of operation of the Danube Circular Textile Cluster
3-year-long business plan and activity plan for the cluster
Signed cooperation agreement of the Danube circular textile cluster

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion EUSDR is evidently the most relevant programme for our project. The thematic fit is strongest for PA8 Competitiveness of Enterprises. Circular technology solutions and circular business models contribute substantially to competitiveness of enterprises. TEX-DAN will provide support to strengthen and develop the capacities of textile and fashion SMEs with regard to circularity. In our project we will have several activities that support cooperation and exchange of knowledge between SMEs, academia and the public sector. Among others, our pilots will be organised under a living lab concept. This way our project will also contribute to PA7 Knowledge Society. Moreover, we expect that the technology solutions tested in TEX-DAN pilots will be innovative in our regions adding to RDI progress in the Danube Region. Our project is also linked to PA9 People and Skills since the increased capacities at SMEs mean also better skills of management and staff in terms of circular operations. To some extent, TEX-DAN will contribute to PA6 Biodiversity, Landscapes and Air&Soil Quality. The textile sector is one of the most polluting sectors - circular technology solutions and business models tested, promoted and disseminated in TEX-DAN contribute to more environment friendly operations of SMEs.
EuropeanGreenDeal A new Circular Economy Action Plan - For a cleaner and more competitive Europe (Brussels, 11.3.2020 COM(2020) 98 final) calls the attention on the importance of scaling up the circular economy from front-runners to the mainstream economic players, which will make a decisive contribution to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and decoupling economic growth from resource use, while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the EU and leaving no one behind. To fulfil this ambition, the Action Plan emphasises that the EU needs to accelerate the transition towards a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes, advance towards keeping its resource consumption within planetary boundaries, and therefore strive to reduce its consumption footprint and double its circular material use rate in the coming decade. TEX-DAN’s approach is fully in line with this target. Our pilots will test solutions that reduce the use of primary raw materials, increase the use of secondary raw-materials and by-products. The project seeks both technology solutions and business models in the textile and fashion value chain that contribute to the objectives of the Action Plan. According to the Action Plan, for businesses, working together on creating the framework for sustainable products there will be new opportunities in the EU and beyond and it will be an indispensable part of the new EU industrial strategy. We put special attention on minimizing the transfer distances among the actors to reduce GHG emissions.
TerritorialAgenda2030 The Territorial Agenda underlines the importance of and provides orientation for strategic spatial planning and calls for strengthening the territorial dimension of sector policies. It defines ‘A Green Europe that protects common livelihoods and shapes societal transition’ as a territorial priority, where circular economy is considered as a prerequisite for strong and sustainable local economies in a globalised world. The Agenda supports Europe’s transition to a circular economy and the development of place-based industrial symbiosis processes. With its objectives and activities, TEX-DAN supports fully the transition to a circular economy. The establishment of the Danube Circ-TEX value chains (Act. 3.4), the development of short-transport textile brand (Circ-TEX Made in Danube) and the establishment of the Danube circular textile cluster (Act 3.6.) contribute specifically to industrial symbiosis processes.
The Agenda also supports the development of local and regional circular economy strategies linking local and global economies. Related strategy development is planned under Act 1.4 (TEX-DAN strategy and action plan for the Danube Region). The need of our project is also underpinned by the statement of the Agenda: Circular value chains are needed to respond to the increasing pressure concerning sustainable development and climate change.
Other EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR): In terms of geography 4 of our participating countries fall under the Strategy (BiH, CR, SRB, SI). Due to the specific pillars of EUSAIR, TEX-DAN is expected to contribute to Pillar 3 Environmental Quality. Among others, Pillar 3 includes improving waste management by reducing waste flows to the sea. With one of our four pilots we focus on circularity in recycling that is related to waste management.
Other EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP): From the countries covered by the TEX-DAN two are concerned with EUSALP: Austria and Slovenia. Objective 1 of the EUSALP centres around fostering sustainable growth and promoting innovation in the Alps: from theory to practice, from research centres to enterprises. With its focus on technology solutions and sector-specific assistance to SMEs, TEX-DAN will contribute to the following two priorities under this objective: 1) developing innovation and research capacity and transfer into practice, 2) improving and developing support for enterprises. In addition to that, TEX-DAN will contribute to Objective 3 (Ensuring sustainability in the Alps: preserving the Alpine heritage and promoting a sustainable use of natural and cultural resources), by its efforts on trying to reduce the reliance on natural resources, particularly on water. (Textile industry uses water heavily in its production processes.)
Other EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles: This strategy helps the EU shift to a climate-neutral, circular economy where products are designed to be more durable, reusable, repairable, recyclable and energy-efficient. The Vision of the Strategy is as follows (quote): “By 2030 textile products placed on the EU market are long-lived and recyclable, to a great extent made of recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances and produced in respect of social rights and the environment. Consumers benefit longer from high quality affordable textiles, fast fashion is out of fashion, and economically profitable re-use and repair services are widely available. In a competitive, resilient and innovative textiles sector, producers take responsibility for their products along the value chain, including when they become waste. The circular textiles ecosystem is thriving, driven by sufficient capacities for innovative fibre-to-fibre recycling, while the incineration and landfilling of textiles is reduced to the minimum.
TEX-DAN fully endorses the vision and the actions included in the strategy. All activities of TEX-DAN are in line with the strategy.
Other Textiles Ecosystem Transition Pathway: Following a co-creation process with stakeholders from all over Europe the EU Commission published the policy report on the Textiles Ecosystem Transition Pathway on 6 June 2023. The policy report includes some 50 specific actions to support the twin transitions and the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the textiles ecosystem. The actions are divided into eight building blocks, each representing 1 key aspect of the transition. The 8 building blocks are as follows: 1) Sustainable competitiveness, 2) Regulation and public governance, 3) Social dimension, 4) Research and Innovation, techniques, and technological solutions, 5) Infrastructure, 6) Skills, 7) Investment and funding, 8) Ecosystem’s readiness to support EU strategic autonomy and defence efforts. TEX-DAN fully endorsed the all 8 building blocks, nevertheless the sustainable competitiveness, regulation and public governance and R&I, techniques and technological solutions are the blocks to which TEX-DAN will be able to contribute through its approach and activities.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

ISI - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across the borders, Measurement unit: No. of organisations

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

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Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-12-17

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

138 / 138 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 413 / 1 413 (100%)

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Moving forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains

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Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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